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Sharon Smith Purdy

Martha's Vineyard Real Estate Market - September Property Transfer and Inventory Summary

Below is our standard property transfer and inventory summary for the month of September for the island of Martha's Vineyard.

There were 35 sales in September, down just 5 from September 2007 but actually up by 11 over August. The increase can be attributed to activity generated during the summer months.

The increase also follows the state trend as reported by The Warren Group. They released numbers at the end of October, stating that "the Bay State housing market got a bounce in September... the first increase in monthly home sales, year-over-year, in 11 months."

That's the good news... the same article stated that median home prices fell 15.6 % across the state; approximately the same depreciation that we've tracked on the Island.

At this time, the LINKMV service is reporting only 41 sales pending. If all close, total sales for 2008 for the Vineyard will be down approximately 28% from 2007.

It should also be noted that the available inventory of properties for sale is 819, up 18% from 674 in September 2007. This number (819) exceeds that at any time during the last market drop from 1989 to 1991.

SEPTEMBER 2008 TRANSFER INDEX

SUMMARY OF ARMS-LENGTH SALES

Inventory 9/30/08*

Total # of Sales

# of Sales under $1.0

# of Sales $1.0-$3.0

# of Sales over $3.0

Aquinnah

28

0

0

0

0

Chilmark

66

6

0

4

2

Edgartown

251

11

8

2

1

Oak Bluffs

195

9

8

1

0

Vineyard Haven

186

6

6

0

0

West Tisbury

95

3

3

0

0

819

35

25

7

3

August 2008

24

Increase/Decrease

11

September 2007

674

40

Increase/Decrease

-5

Data compiled from the Dukes County Registry of Deed Transfer Index and LINKMV.

Martha's Vineyard Market Report

Below is a four year comparison for Martha's Vineyard Island total year to date sales. Note that, as of the end of August, there has been a 20% decline since 2007 and a 41% decline since the height of the market in 2005.

Buyer activity this summer on the Vineyard was strong but most, if not all, were looking for better values. Most buyers are waiting for price reductions and many owners are reducing their price evidenced by 93 reductions on the island during the month of September.

The year of a national election is typically one of some instability in the real estate market; we hope that the choice of a new president will bring some relief of the current economic climate and thus to the real estate market both on and off Martha's Vineyard. However, we are prepared for a long turn around time unless there is some substantial change in the financial markets.

January Market Statistics for Martha's Vineyard

Following is our standard activity summary of the Martha's Vineyard real estate market for the month of January. Note that both inventory and the number of sales increased (5% and 27% respectively).

JANUARY 2008 TRANSFER INDEX

SUMMARY OF ARMS-LENGTH SALES

Inventory 1/31/08*

Total # of Sales

# of Sales under $1.0

# of Sales $1.0-$3.0

# of Sales over $3.0

Aquinnah

23

0

0

0

0

Chilmark

64

2

0

1

1

Edgartown

179

8

6

1

1

Oak Bluffs

146

8

6

2

0

Vineyard Haven

139

10

8

1

1

West Tisbury

63

5

3

1

1

614

33

23

6

4

December 2007

581

24

Increase/Decrease

33

9

* Inventory per LINK database

Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts ~ Year End Statistics 2007

Below is a summary review of the Martha's Vineyard real estate market for the 2007 calendar year and our standard monthly statistics report for December 2007.

2007 Sales: Note that the total number of sales on Martha's Vineyard in 2007 was down approximately 7% from 2006 (394 versus 423). However, this was a significantly smaller decline than experienced between 2006 and 2005 (423 versus 564 or a 25% decrease). This change is a potential indicator that the market is stabilizing.

2007 Inventory: The 2007 inventory graph illustrates the typical increase in overall inventory on the island during the spring and summer months. What it does not show is the increase in inventory in 2007 over 2006. In January of 2007, the inventory was 17% greater than it was in January 2006. We expect the inventory to remain high until the overall market regains strength.

(The inventory numbers were calculated using the LINK (local island listing service) database while the sales numbers were obtained from the monthly Transfer Index for Dukes County.)

December Market Statistics for Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts

Following is our standard summary of sales and inventory for the month of November on Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts.

It is interesting to note that the inventory and sales in November 2007 differ very little from November 2006 - 2% and 7% respectively.

2007 2006

Inventory 638 622

Sales 41 38

However, inventory has declined since October which, as previously stated, is expected at this time of year due largely to owners removing properties for the winter and/or being counseled not to list until spring, thus it's not a real market indicator.

The (41) sales in November is the second most productive month in 2007 (there were 42 closed in April) and reflects the consummation of much of the summer sales activity.

We will provide you with a full analysis of the year when the December statistics are available.

NOVEMBER 2007 TRANSFER INDEX

SUMMARY OF ARMS-LENGTH SALES

Inventory 11/30/07*

Total # of Sales

# of Sales under $1.0

# of Sales $1.0-$3.0

# of Sales over $3.0

Aquinnah

24

3

2

1

0

Chilmark

67

6

0

3

3

Edgartown

177

13

7

6

0

Oak Bluffs

166

3

2

1

0

Vineyard Haven

139

10

6

3

1

West Tisbury

65

6

5

1

0

638

41

22

15

4

October

667

33

Increase/Decrease

-29

8

* Inventory per LINK database