Economic Trends for Martha’s Vineyard Vacation Rentals

img_1721

While information about this recession is blaring all over the news, I wanted to give you an honest look at how our current economic situation is affecting vacation rentals on Martha’s Vineyard.

The fall of ’08 lost booking momentum with the turn of the stock market. It coincided with the usual post-season slowdown, but, of course, because of the official ‘we are in a recession’ news, that slowdown was, well, slower than usual.

We typically have a strong January/February with bookings.  And, true to form, this year we are seeing a lot of activity, but tenants are being cautious and looking for affordable vacation homes where in the past the affordability piece was not nearly as prominent.

Owners are doing their part by offering some price adjustments on their rental fees and, it’s important to note that the higher end of the Vineyard rental market is not as active as it has been.

I anticipate a lot of last minute bookings this season.  This has been becoming a trend, and isn’t necessarily recession-induced, but I think there will be more inventory than previous years.

  • For owners, this outlook calls for them to be more negotiable and competitive with what they can offer their tenants to have a great vacation.
  • For renters, it’s a great time to explore new options on the island and even hop on some of these great deals.
  • For vacationers in general, it’s the perfect time to try a house rental – leaving the costs associated with luxury hotels behind!

3 thoughts on “Economic Trends for Martha’s Vineyard Vacation Rentals”

  1. We too have seen a lot of last minute bookings. Many of the owners we assist have lowered their fees and prices quite a bit. But it’s actually paying off because they are getting more tenants now.
    And I always recommend a house rental over a luxury hotel. The reason is simple: it’s more affordable, more comfortable, and a whole lot of fun!
    We are actually planning our second trip to MV for this summer. We had an awesome time on our first trip there 2 years ago. And we’ve been dying to come back again.
    Thanks for sharing!

  2. Thanks for the comment. It is good to hear that your price adjustment has helped your area ride this economic wave. I would be happy to assist with a rental when you are ready to plan your return trip to the Vineyard!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *