Vineyard Open House Blog

Martha's Vineyard Property Values Top $20 Billion as Prices Rise

This single-family home at 96 Sandpiper Lane in Tashmoo Wood was sold in December for $950,000 by Vineyard Open House.

Property values increased this year on Martha’s Vineyard, topping $20 billion in total assessed value for the 100-square-mile Island, according to figures from the six towns and the Massachusetts Department of Revenue (DOR).

Assessed values were recently re-certified by the DOR, as it does every three years. The new numbers reflect rising real estate prices on the Vineyard.

Edgartown leads Island towns in total assessed value, with $8.25 billion worth of property, an increase of more than $457 million, or 5.7 per cent, over the previous year. This jump follows an increase of $528 million in total assessed values two years ago, or a rise of nearly a billion dollars in just 24 months.

The increases make Edgartown the 17th most valuable city or town in Massachusetts in terms of residential property value, ranking close behind many of the commonwealth’s major cities and wealthiest suburbs, according to the DOR. See the full article in the Vineyard Gazette.

New Luxury Home in Tashmoo Wood Coming in 2018

A new luxury home is going up in the private community of Tashmoo Wood in West Chop on the island of Martha's Vineyard.

Luxury builder Ray Bilodeau commenced work on the new 4-BR/3.5-BA home last October. Set on 1.05 acres, special features include an open floor plan, HERS-rated heating and cooling, hardwood floors, 2nd-floor flex-space, two-car garage and stone retaining walls.

The residence will officially go on the market on February 21, 2018. The asking price will be $1.399M. Send me more information!

Listed by Vineyard Open House Real Estate

Bilodeau is working with Vineyard Open House Real Estate of Vineyard Haven which will market the property.

Principal Broker David Lott and Bilodeau recently concluded a successful collaboration with the sale of a 5-BR/4BA luxury home on Tashmoo Avenue, also in Vineyard Haven. The selling price was $950,000, a record price for the immediate area. Send me more information!

For More Information, contact David Lott, Broker, cell/text: 203-270-9357. Or send an email.
 

The two-car garage is tucked under the house and is accented by stone walls.

 

Extensive stone walls will encircle and accent this custom Cape.

Enjoy access to a screened-in porch with mahogany deck from the first-floor bedroom and kitchen.

About Tashmoo Wood

Tashmoo Wood is a private community set on more than 100 acres next to Mink Meadows Golf Club in Vineyard Haven on the island of Martha’s Vineyard.

The community is sited on the edge of Lake Tashmoo from which you can take your boat directly out into Vineyard Sound and the Atlantic.

Private Beach & Kayak Launch

Community amenities include a private North Shore association beach, four tennis courts and swimming pool, plus a kayak/canoe launch on Lake Tashmoo. Send me more information about Tashmoo Wood!

Tashmoo Wood features 54 townhouse-style condominiums and 20 single-family homes. Directly across from the community entrance is the 92-acre preserve called West Chop Woods.

Residents have a quick 3-minute drive to Vineyard Haven where there are multiple restaurants, including the famous Black Dog Tavern and Bakery, movie theaters, supermarkets, hardware store, boutiques, galleries and more. Send me more information about Tashmoo Wood!

How Vineyard Open House Real Estate Promotes Your Home for Sale Online

 

If you are selling a home and are not promoting it online, it may as well not exist. Here are some of the places we are promoting our listing at 171 Tashmoo Ave in Vineyard Haven on Martha's Vineyard.

TOP REAL ESTATE SITES

These sites specifically offer a real estate search function wherein you see the listing for the home and have a form to fill out to contact the selling agent.

Rank	Website	Total visits	Visits share
1	Zillow	44.19 million	9.17%
2	Trulia	33.70 million	7.00%
3	Realtor.com	29.32 million	6.09%
6	Homes.com	17.98 million	3.73%

 

DIRECT LINKS TO LISTING FOR 171 TASHMOO AVE

ZILLOW - 171 Tashmoo Ave

TRULIA - 171 Tashmoo Ave

REALTOR.COM - 171 Tashmoo Ave

HOMES.COM - 171 Tashmoo Ave

 

MULTIPLE LISTING SERVICES

Here are links to our listing, plus the listing on the Vineyard Open House website and the Cape Cod and the Islands multiple listing service. We sele cted the site for Kinlin and Grover because it is the No. 1 selling agency on the Cape.

VINEYARD OPEN HOUSE - 171 Tashmoo Ave  - Island-wide LINK System, on all island real estate websites

KINLIN GROVER - 171 Tashmoo Ave -  Kinlin Grover Real Estate is the top real estate firm on Cape Cod, listed via the CCIAOR Rappatoni MLS which goes out to all Cape Cod real estate agency members (2,900 members)

 

VINEYARD OPEN HOUSE SITES & SOCIAL MEDIA

We also have multiple posts on the Vineyard Open House blog  (sample)

We promote your listing on these Vineyard Open House (VOH) sites as well:

VOH Twitter

VOH Facebook 

VOH Instagram 

VOH Pinterest 

 

And on the GolfCourseHome.com blog and in the Golf Course Home newsletter which is sent to 15,000 subscribers two times a week.

For more information or to list your property with Vineyard Open House, contact David Lott, Principal Broker/Owner, at 508-338-2495, or by email

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Ask Ray Bilodeau Building & Contracting to Build Your New Home!

 

We at Vineyard Open House Real Estate are pleased to be working with one of Martha's Vineyard's top builders and craftsmen, Ray Bilodeau. Ray is building the new home at 171 Tashmoo Ave. in Vineyard Haven. It is just one of a long list of high-quality projects he has put his stamp on.

 

 

History

Ray Bilodeau has been involved in the building trade since he was a young man growing up in Connecticut. At the age of 24 his skills brought him to Martha's Vineyard, working as a carpenter for an established island builder.

In 1987, Bilodeau went into business for himself as a contractor and builder of fine custom homes. Since then, he has built many of the island's finest residential and commercial projects.

Today, Ray Bilodeau Building & Contracting represents the culmination of his nearly 30 years of experience. The company is supremely-equiped to meet the needs of any client, with a standard that is simply world class. Send me more information about Ray Bilodeau Building & Contracting!

 

 

 

Excellence

A true craftsman, Ray Bilodeau takes great pride in his work. Since his beginning days as a carpenter, he  has always been on-site every step of the way on all of the projects he has undertaken.

Ray Bilodeau's  attention to detail, product knowledge, and efficiency help to make each client's vision a reality. His craftsmanship reflects beauty and precision in projects ranging from classic to the latest modern styles. His skilled crew members share Ray's standard of excellence and form a committed team-oriented unit. Send me more information about Ray Bilodeau Building & Contracting!

 

 

 Commitment

Ray's mission is to foster and maintain good relationships between clients, architects, and sub-contractors throughout the building process. Each project completed by Ray Bilodeau Building & Contracting is a team effort, and Ray strives to make sure that everyone involved is on the same page from start to finish.

Ray Bilodeau has helped hundreds of clients through the building process here on Martha's Vineyard, and is ready to help you realize your building needs today. Send me more information about Ray Bilodeau Building & Contracting!

Photos are of a luxury, water view home in West Chop, Martha's Vineyard, built by Ray Bilodeau Building and Contracting.

RELATED ARTICLES

The story of the construction of the luxury home at 171 Tashmoo Ave in Vineyard Haven by Ray Bilodeau Building and Construction. The most recent post is first.

Photo Update: Backfilling of Foundation at 171 Tashmoo Ave Signals Start of Building Phase

Foundation Is Poured at 171 Tashmoo Ave., Ready for Major Building to Begin

Forms Arriving for Foundation at 171 Tashmoo, Concrete Coming Soon!

Foundation Footing (Photos) Goes in As New Home at 171 Tashmoo Ave. Begins to Rise

Photo Update: Clearing at 171 Tashmoo Ave Nears End, Next Up, Excavation

Ground Breaking Gets Underway at 171 Tashmoo Ave at Baylis Woods

New to Market! 4-Bedroom Custom Cape to Be Built in Vineyard Haven

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

20 Old Barnes Rd, OB, Hosts "Meet the Artist" for Jeanne Staples' Friends & Fans

Jeanne Staples addresses assembled friends & fans at 20 Old Barnes Rd, Oak Bluffs.

Last Friday night more than 40 friends and fans came to 20 Old Barnes Rd, Oak Bluffs, the home of Stig and Anita Perrsson, to meet Martha's Vineyard artist Jeanne Staples.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Staples sat and spoke with numerous fans about her work and artistic process.

By all accounts it was a rousing success with Staples presenting to an appreciative audience both her artwork and the quilts that she encourages native Haitians to create for sale. Setting the mood was noted island musician Eric Johnson who played classical and jazz compositions on his acoustic guitar.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Eric Johnson hard at work on his guitar.

The event was organized by Vineyard Open House Real Estate to help give visibility to both the artist and the host property which is located at 20 Old Barnes Rd in Oak Bluffs and is currently for sale.

 

The main house and guest house at 20 Old Barnes Rd., Oak Bluff, Martha's Vineyard.

The property covers nearly two acres and features a stunning 3-BR home, plus 2-BR guest house, deeded access to a private beach and a mooring in the Lagoon. The main house was designed by noted Martha's Vineyard architect Mark Hutker. The asking price is $1.25M. A separate buildable lot adjacent to the property is also available. Request more information about 20 Old Barnes Rd.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The guest house dining/living room, staged by Vineyard Open House.

In preparation for the event, Kristin Zern of Vineyard Open House Real Estate staged the guest house and its two bedrooms, full bath, kitchen and dining/living areas. Request more information about Vineyard Open House events.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The main fireplace at 20 Old Barnes Rd. adorned by a Staples painting.

 

About Jeanne Staples

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

View Towards Oak Bluffs by Jeanne Staples.

Jeanne Staples is a classically-trained painter, educated at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, the pre-eminent institution of American realism.  A member of the Copley Society of Art in Boston, she has taught painting and drawing at the Albany Institute of History & Art, the Rensellaer County Council for the Arts, and was Coordinator of Education for the Empire State Plaza Art Collection and the New York State Governor's Mansion in Albany.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Corner of Cooke Street by Jeanne Staples.

Her interests range from the evocative and timeless landscapes of Martha's Vineyard, where she has lived and worked since 1993, to figurative, narrative work - to more modernist interests with her series of 3-D paintings which explores the nexus of traditional realism and popular culture.

In her free time, Jeanne has founded and serves as Director of PeaceQuilts, a non-profit humanitarian, economic development project to aid poor women in Haiti through the establishment of independent sewing cooperatives creating one-of-a-kind art quilts. Staples is represented by The Granary Gallery.

Vineyard Open House Real Estate Office Getting into Shape, Grand Opening Soon!

The signs are up, furniture and decorations are in and things are getting organized at the new office for the new Vineyard Open House Real Estate LLC. We'll be providing rental, listing/selling and buying services for homes and land on Martha's Vineyard and Cape Cod.

For more information, call David Lott at any time on his cell at 203-270-9357, or email him

Note the twin over-sized display screens for our Digital Showroom--perfect for viewing great homes and land for sale!

5 Tactics for Buying a Retirement or 2nd Home Before You Retire

BY WVH Editors 

Jupiter Country Club is a private, gated country club community on 483 lush acres in upscale Palm Beach County.

 

Financial experts say buying your second home or retirement residence five to 10 years before you stop working is a smart move. 

"[However] buying a second home is not for people who are just getting by," says Patrick Cunningham, vice president of Home Savings and Trust Mortgage in Fairfax, Virginia, “This should only be a choice for people with the income and assets to handle it."

Here are five key factors to consider before you take the plunge.

1. Fund Your 401(k)
Kimberly Foss, president of Empyrion Wealth Management in Roseville, California recommends clients properly fund their 401(k)s. In addition, buyers should have at least 12 months' worth of expenses in the bank as an emergency fund.

2. Refinance the Right Way
For those not paying in cash, homeowners can either finance it as an owner-occupied home, if the buyer resides in the home, or as a second home. 

Interest rates, qualification guidelines and down payment requirements are generally more reasonable on second homes than on investments. An investment loan requires a down payment of at least 20% or 25%.

3. Decide If You Will Rent Your Second Home
One of the primary benefits of buying a home before retiring is rental income. If you use the property as a rental property, you can gain tax advantages as well.

4. Consider the Location
Approach your property as you would any other investment and evaluate the potential resale value based on the location, community amenities and floor plan. Look for an urban-suburban location with nearby amenities, healthcare facilities and cultural opportunities.

5. Be Flexible
Second homes are often in resort areas. If you are more than 10 years away from retirement, rent your second home choice first to see how it fits you and your family.. While renting, investigate the neighborhood and familiarize yourself with the surrounding area.

This entry was excerpted from “Buy a Second Home Before You Retire?” as featured on foxbusinees.com. For the complete article, visit foxbusiness.com. 

SELLING SMARTER: The No. 1 Home Improvement to Boost Your Price

By WVH

Hampton Lake, Bluffton, SC: Lakefront home polished and ready to sell.

The No. 1 thing you can do to make your house stand out from the competition is to clean it from top to bottom.

Cleaning has ranked as the top home improvement suggested by realty professionals in the HomeGain survey since 2003. According to the survey, real estate agents said that spending

_______________________

Spending $400 translates to

$2,000 more at closing.

_______________________

 

$400 on cleaning is likely to gain sellers $2,000 more at closing. If you are planning to invest in one thing in an effort to maximize you home’s closing price, let it be cleaning supplies and elbow grease.

Look Up
Dust the walls and fan blades and replace and dust light bulbs in preparation to shower your home in light. You may not notice the cobwebs in the corner of your living room or the dust on the ceiling fan, but your potential buyers will look everywhere. 

Make It Shine
Wash the windows, inside and out. To avoid streaking, wash on a cloudy day. Window treatments will also need dry-cleaned, or, at the very least, vacuumed. 

Boost Your Biggest Asset
The kitchen can be a major asset to your sale. You want everything to shine. If you have burner drip trays in bad condition, replace them. If the trays only need cleaned, soak them in a 50/50 mixture of water and ammonia for a day and then scrub and rinse.

Organize your drawers and pantries – buyers will want to inspect these places as well. You don’t need to replace cabinet doors, but, as a less expensive alternative, deep clean the doors and then apply a wood restorer to make them look like new.

Watch Your Step
Shampoo the carpets once and vacuum daily. Visible carpet pile lines “scream clean,” according to The Maids, a residential cleaning service. Wood and tile floors should be mopped. Your home should stand out as a clean home in good condition.

Deep Clean the Bathroom
Scrub the shower, sink and tub. Wash the shower curtains and liners. To remove water rings in the toilet bowl, drain the bowl and saturate several heavy-duty shop paper towels with white vinegar. Plaster the sides of the bowl with the towels and let it sit for several hours. Undiluted, heated white vinegar is a great spray to remove hard-water spots and soap scum. Let the spray soak for 15 minutes before scrubbing.

SELLING SMARTER: 7 Simple Ways to Maximize Your Home's Appraisal Value

By WVH Editors

Kingsmill on the James, Williamsburg VA: 2-BR river-view home sharp and ready to show. 

Here are seven inexpensive and easy do-it-yourself fixes that can result in a higher appraisal and a better closing price for your home. Courtesy of The Baltimore Sun.

1. Fix It!
Often little holes and cracks go unnoticed when preparing the house for sale. Spackle the holes and touch up any molding. Other small repairs that should not be overlooked: broken windows, cracked bathroom tiles, and leaky facets. Making these repairs not only improves your curb appeal but also protects the value of the property.

2. Eliminate the Clutter
Put your home on its best display. Organize and clean all of the rooms. Put personal items, such as family photographs, out

 

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Doorknobs are out—levered

handles are the new go-to.

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of sight. You want the buyers to be able to imagine themselves in the home. Eliminating clutter will make the room appear larger. A messy or cluttered room could indicate that there are hidden problems in the house.

3. Get a New Grip
Doorknobs are out, according to The Baltimore Sun. Levered door handles are the new go-to. Levered door handles have an easier grip, which is especially important for senior homebuyers.

4. Cut the Lawn
A manicured lawn will be the first thing buyers see when they arrive at your home. Consider your home’s curb appeal and remember that first impressions count.

5. Paint, Paint, Paint
Skip glossy or vibrant colors and simply add a few coats of fresh paint in neutral tones to the outside and inside of your home. It will brighten and update your space, sending a good message to buyers.

6. Hire a Qualified Appraiser
Homeowners that are refinancing should always check that the appraiser hired by their lender is qualified. Some parties viewing your home may not accept an appraisal from a non-certified appraiser.

7. Promote Yourself
When the appraiser is in your home, point out your updates. You don’t want to follow the appraiser around the house, but highlight a few of the upgrades or give a list to the appraiser. The appraiser wants as much information about the property as possible. 

Jefferson Landing, NC, on the New River, Joins WaterViewHome Offering Golf, Water Views & Outdoor Lifestyle

Water and mountain views, golf and a relaxed lifestyle.

NORTH CAROLINA
=> Jefferson Landing, Jefferson

Nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains on the historic New River, Jefferson Landing is a 490-acre, gated mountain resort community designed for easy living. Amenities are topped by an award-winning golf course designed by Larry Nelson, exceptional dining, a variety of accommodations and gorgeous views of the Blue Ridge Mountains.

Jefferson Landing’s course was rated a “Top 100 Golf Course in the Carolinas” from Golf Styles and was given 4 1/2 out of 5 stars from Golf Digest. In addition to the spectacular golf course, residents enjoy swimming, tennis, fitness and exploring nearby parks.

The clubhouse centerpiece is the elegant main dining room with its 33-foot high vaulted ceiling, a floor-to-ceiling stone fireplace and spectacular views of the course and the mountains.

Hiking, Biking & More: Nearby Mt. Jefferson State Park and The New River State Park provide additional scenic points of interest, as well as opportunities for camping, hiking, canoeing and fly-fishing. Other area attractions include a selection of art galleries, area shopping, Grandfather mountain, Linville Gorge, Moses Cone House & Estate.

Real Estate: Jefferson Landing, NC

• Homesites range from 1/3-acre to 1+ acres
  • Priced from the $40,000s to $250,000s
• Townhomes and condominiums
  • Priced from $170,000s to $400,000s+
• Custom homes
  • Priced from the $350,000s to $2 million
• Send me more information about Jefferson Landing!