What will the Real Estate Market look like in 2026? 

The Steamship Authority announced that summer ferry reservation bookings are almost the same as this time last year which is often a good indication of the summer we will have. 

As of end January 2026 Tea Lane rental bookings are slightly up from last year. As always, August weeks fill up fast but those coming in July have more options to choose from; at this time of the year, there may be room for negotiation as owners fill the remaining weeks.   New rental inventory is slower than past years and Spring is a great time to think about making some extra income and renting your home as a vacation rental. Demand always out-ways supply especially in August, and we have many repeat and vetted clients still looking. So if you've been toying with the idea of renting please contact us and we can go through the process with you.  Even if you have your property listed with another agency, we encourage you to list with multiple offices so that you are sure to get your home in front of all potential renters. 

The beginning of the year saw a robust January in real estate sales  -  there were 21 closings and 18 new properties came on the market similar to last year's numbers and with increased inventory - 113 available listings in January, compared to 97 this time last year.

We published our 2025 Market Report at the end of January which surprisingly revealed different numbers from how 2025 felt.   Often the numbers tell a different story from what we experience which is why it's important to read and follow the statistics.  Overall residential real estate sales saw a small increase and 2026 is being described as a “reset” year for the Martha's Vineyard real estate market. 

Although 2025 marked the second lowest number of transactions since 2009, the increase from 2024 signaled healthier activity.  Inventory rebounded meaningfully with peak listings up 20% to levels comparable to pre Covid years, and despite this increase in supply, prices continued to rise, underscoring sustained demand.  Of course none of us have a crystal ball, but we predict that the market will continue to regain confidence, with a small incline in 2026.

So to conclude, after years of volatility following the pandemic boom, the Vineyard market in 2025 stabilized on a solid footing,  Prices strengthened across most segments, inventory normalized and demand in the high end remained robust. 

While affordability and workforce housing remain a challenge, overall market conditions and lower interest rates point to continued confidence heading into 2026 for both buyers and sellers.