This, for now, is the new normal.  While things are starting to ease up, it's important to remember NOT to let your guard down.  Please adhere to the safety measures that Nantucket has put in place.  We have worked hard to flatten the curve so we could welcome back Nantucket’s loyal visitors and enjoy some sort of normalcy this summer. Here is what you need to know... Masks are REQUIRED EVERYWHERE!        There is NO exception to this.  So bring one with you.  Bring a few!!  You will not be allowed inside any building without a mask. Masks are also required anywhere in the downtown area and in 'Sconset and this is being enforced by the Nantucket Police Department.  It's for your own safety and the safety of others. Make A Reservation! Nantucket Restaurants have been very inventive in creating a lot of outdoor seating but reservations are required most places, and book quickly.  Make sure you cancel your reservation if you cannot make it as restaurants are short on staff and struggling to stay afloat during the Pandemic.  There is no bar seating anywhere.  THE CHICKEN BOX IS OPEN It looks a little different, and unfortunately, it doesn't look like there will be any bands at the Chicken Box this summer, but they too have been very creative with seating, and are serving cocktails.   Buy Online The Dreamland has opened.  There are limited tickets available and you must purchase them online.  The Dreamland has also ramped up its creativity and opened a Drive-through at the Nobadeer Fields.  They went with the obvious choice for an opening day flick with Jaws, but keep an eye out for more classics such as One Crazy Summer, Back to the Future and Caddyshack.   Gyms and museums have opened.  Fishing tournaments are back on the books, shops have welcomed patrons back inside.  This summer we will miss all the festivals, weddings, triatholons, and live music performances but Nantucket is back in business and we welcome you back (from a safe 6 foot distance, and with a MASK).

We are about a week into Phase 2 of reopening Massachusetts and so far so good.    Here are a few things to keep in mind for the rental season this summer.  

• Hotels and Short term rentals are in Business.  Last week Governor Charlie Baker gave the thumbs up for short term rentals and instantly you could feel the island pick up. Nantucket is still recommending that tenants bring groceries and toiletries with you as Nantucket's supply is limited. You are also required to wear Masks everywhere, so please bring those as well.  The Nantucket Health Department came out with cleaning guidelines for all short-term rentals as well.  
• Nantucket's Beaches are Open.  In fact they were never closed, and if all goes well we should still be able to enjoy the long-awaited sunshine.  Please respect the social distancing guidelines even while outdoors and on the beach.  
• Restaurants are opening.  Over the past few months Nantucket's talented Chefs and mixologists have gotten extremely creative on how to combat the COVID dinner dilemma.  Many restaurants are offering curbside pickup and delivery and have created family-style menus and cocktail kits.  Massachusetts has allowed outdoor seating in Phase 2 with certain restrictions, and the town has allowed those restaurants that do not have outdoor seating to use the sidewalks and other nearby areas as a dining option.  We are hopeful that in the next phase indoor dining will also be an option.  THERE IS NO BAR SEATING and you are limited to parties of 6 at a table.  Masks are required.
• Salons are open/opening.  It was a long two plus months....we could all use a little pampering.  Hair services are allowed.  Services such as nails and massage will be available during Phase 2, step 2 which should be sooner than later.  Masks are required for all treatments.
• Shops are open.  A limited number of patrons are allowed in the stores and Masks are required.  Trying things on in the dressing room is not allowed at the moment.  

Things will surely be different this summer but we are on the road to getting back to the way things were.  2020 will be a throwback Nantucket summer.  It will be more about BBQ's at home, enjoying the beaches, bike paths and the great outdoors, and spending time with friends and family.  Things are different this year but during this crazy time we are lucky to be able to enjoy a place like Nantucket.

The Nantucket Book Festival has made the decision to move it's event online with a great feature called "At Home with Authors" take a look at this excerpt from The Barnstable Patriot written by Kathi Driscoll for more details. 

The authors selected for the 2020 Nantucket Book Festival represented voices officials believed needed to be heard this year. So when coronavirus concerns forced the cancellation of the in-person festival, they found another way to get the timely messages out.

The virtual “At Home With Authors” program was born last month, dubbed the festival’s “answer to social distancing.”

On its website over the past three weeks, the festival has posted the first few in a series of videos and interviews with writers who had been due to visit the island this month. The particular authors were chosen for this year “because they have something important to say to us, right now,” executive director Maddie Hjulstrom said via email.

“One (literary) committee member, Dick Burns, has always said that we invite the authors that people not only want to hear, but need to hear. And right now, people need to hear those voices more than ever.

“Books broaden our horizons, create connections, and inspire imaginations. In the midst of isolation and fear, and a lot of misinformation, we turn to writers who can not only speak truth to us, but can offer hope to help us get through this.”

The interviews available now at https://nantucketbookfestival.org/ahwa include NPR’s Diane Rehm about her book “When My Time Comes”; David Rohde on “In Deep: The FBI, The CIA and the Truth About the ‘Deep State’”; Sarah Broom on “The Yellow House”; Samantha Powers on “The Education of an Idealist”; and a conversation between Nantucket author Elin Hilderbrand (“Summer of ’69”) from her island home with Jami Attenberg (“All This Could Be Yours”), from her home in New Orleans....

The full article can be read here 

 

Stay well! See you on island!

- The Jordan Real Estate Team

Here we go! Slowly but surely. While the weather is finally breaking and it is starting to feel like summer, we all have to recognize that this summer will surely be different than the traditional Nantucket summer we have come to know and love.  Massachusetts is still working on a plan to get things up and running again, but until then we are here to help as much as we can.  The individual websites for Nantucket businesses will have more extensive information regarding their specific policies, services and procedures but here are the CliffsNotes of what you can expect.   What is open on Nantucket will constantly be changing so check back or if you're looking for a advice on what may be open while you're on island find us on Facebook or Instagram and ask us there!

What's Open on Nantucket

Reopening Massachusetts

 

We have some good news from 26 Miles out to sea. 

It’s hard to believe that the first quarter is complete and while it seems like the world has stopped spinning, Nantucket is proof that it still is.  The first quarter shows that we are right in line with 2019 which proved to be a billion dollar year.  
While we don’t have a crystal ball, the Jordan team’s general consensus moving forward into Quarter 2 is that the market will likely slow down due to this pandemic but, Nantucket is like a Jeep Wrangler: It holds it’s value.  We have found that visitors are looking forward to coming.  We have seen people looking to extend their leases and spend the entire summer here.  We’re finding that people who weren’t planning vacations until late summer are looking to come sooner.  We are starting to see that potential buyers who maybe were not ready to pull the trigger are becoming more serious.  We don’t know what is to come in terms of restaurant restrictions and passenger limitations etc, but we do know that people love Nantucket and want to be here.   Things are more uncertain than ever now but, Nantucket has weathered many storms and for now is holding strong.  

 

 

Another Billion-Dollar Year in Nantucket Real Estate!

It's official... Nantucket is still the place to buy real estate.

Every year Nantucket exhibits a new real estate trend and it's our job here at Jordan Real Estate to track Nantucket Real Estate trends so we can better serve our clients.  There have been years where antique homes on Nantucket were a trend, then other years there was a hot neighborhood on island that people were really interested in. What was 2019's real estate trend on Nantucket? It was turn-key with a pool.  (That doesn't mean that there isn't a buyer for your antique home.)

2019 was the first year of the short-term rental tax on Nantucket Rental properties. We did see a slight effect on the rental market as a result.  Most homeowners were wise to not raise rents, as the 11.7% tax was enough of an extra expense for rental clients. If you want to browse our extensive selection of Nantucket vacation home rentals, click here. 

Nantucket got some press in Barron's this past year which is good news for sellers on the island. Nantucket has the highest value for any vacation-home destination in the country. Nantucket county is made up of 55.5% vacation seasonal/vacation homes. A vacation home county is one described by Barron's as a county with 20% or more of its residential property being seasonal. 

Homeowners; it's always good to know the value of your home.  So if you are interested in selling, or just looking at your options, contact us today and speak with one of our Brokers about doing a complimentary comparative market analysis for your property.  Take a look at the following for a snapshot of the Nantucket Real Estate Market.  For full market reports, contact us to have one of our agents register you onto our Nantucket MLS site.  

 

 

 

Nantucket Real Estate broken down into segments. Residential real estate on Nantucket continued to be the leader. Commercial real estate on the island can be difficult yo come across because it tends to move quickly. At the time of publishing the article we have a very nice commercial plot for sale, looking for info on that, click here. 

Surside, Town, Mid-Island and the Cliff villages continue to show strong sales numbers on Natucket. We have included some additional charts for you to use as refrence when researching Nantucket real estate. Again, if you have any questions our experienced team is ready to assist. We are available at info@jordanre.com or by phone (508)228-4449

 

Have you started planning your Nantucket trip for 2020? Many people use the Steamship Authority or Hyline to get to the most beautiful vacation destination around. Here are some details you need to know to get to Nantucket by ferry in 2020. 

It's time to daydream about sandy beaches, mudslides, pool parties and boat rides. It's time to imagine the feeling of WARM SUN on your skin! Let's plan your Summer Vacation!

The Steamship Authority will begin taking those highly coveted car reservations for travel between May 15 - October 20, 2020 at
5AM on Tuesday January 14.  There are some popular weekend that fill up FAST every year! Events such as the Daffodil Festival, Nantucket Comedy Festival, The Nantucket Food & Wine Festival, Fugawi and The Nantucket Yoga Festival are just some of those events that help to fill up car reservations quickly. 

 

A NOTE FROM THE STEAMSHIP AUTHORITY:

2020 Nantucket General Internet Opening: January 14 - January 20, 2020

Beginning at 5:00 am on January 14, 2020, reservations for travel to Nantucket only from May 15, 2020 through October 20, 2020 may be made via the internet. Reservation requests will also be accepted through the mail.  During this time the reservation office hours will be extended to provide support to our internet/web customers. Office hours on January 14 & January 15, 2020 will be from 5:00 am to 6:00 pm. On all other dates normal business hours will be 7:30 am to 4:00 pm, daily.

How to start planning for your Nantucket Vacation! 

Step 1:  Set your Alarm for 4:45AM on January 14
Step 2:  Make a pot of STRONG coffee
Step 3:  Click here to BOOK your Reservation
Step 4:  Contact Jordan Real Estate and we will handle the rest of making your Nantucket vacation a reality by showing you some of the most amazing Nantucket Vacation Rental Homes on the island! 

HOMEOWNERS:  Make sure you contact Jordan Real Estate with any changes to your rates and availability.  If you have made and
updates/renovations to your home and/or have new pictures or would like new pictures taken. Your listing will rank better in searches with the most detailed and accurate information. 

 

Nantucket sits approximately 30 miles off the coast of Cape Cod. It's most commonly accessed by Ferry using either the Hyline or The Steamship Authority's ferries. The "slow boat" can take around two hours while the "fast ferry" will get you there in one hour. The other option is to fly in, which is, of course, faster, and if you're traveling directly to Nantucket outside of Cape Cod, this makes more sense. 

We, of course, live and work here on the island and often get asked by new visitors to this charming place, "What should we do?" We wanted to take the time to craft a list of things you can do while staying on island. 

Here is our guide of eight "must do's" while visiting Nantucket!

1. Rent a scooter or bike. 

Explore Nantucket in full with a leisurely ride on a bike or scooter. Nantucket Bike Shop has given tourists and residents the best view of Nantucket since 1976 and continues to provide top-quality equipment and quick, courteous service to every visitor. You can witness the entire island in the fresh open air and enjoy the full, rich seaside panorama from the seat of your bike or scooter.

Their bike fleet includes only top manufacturers of cycling equipment, including Specialized and Giant Bicycles. The resilient structure and comfortable design provides a superior ride and accommodates the needs of every new or experienced cyclist. Their bikes are outfitted with thick, puncture-resistant tires to give you a safe, smooth ride and ergonomic seats to ward off muscle and back strain. If you’re looking for a faster open-air ride, try one of our Kymco or Lance single– and double-seat scooters.

2. Tour Great Point Light 

Towering more than 60 feet, this historic lighthouse was established in 1784, destroyed in 1984 and rebuilt in 1986. Located on the Coskata Coatue Wildlife Refuge. You can get a tour of the lighthouse if you join one of the Trustees of Reservations guided natural history tours depending on the time of year and access to the lighthouse. Beach access is limited during storms and high tides. Always check the local Great Point tides and never drive through water! You can rent a jeep and drive out there for a once in a lifetime experience!

3. Marvel at History

Did you know Nantucket is home to many historic homes? In fact, Nantucket is home to one house that was constructed before the Declaration of Independence was signed! 11 Hussey Street is one of those homes! 11 Hussey Street, a large timber-frame home built in 1735, has recently been artfully renovated and restored. Many original features such as the historic winder staircase, original paneling, cooking fireplaces, beams, and "gunstock" posts have been preserved while incorporating every modern amenity today's owner desires. 

4. Go Sailing with Endeavor Sailing Excursions

The Endeavor has been offering sailing excursions in Nantucket Sound for 30 years. Voted by Yankee Magazine as "Best in New England," the Endeavor operates from May-October. Per person, fares start at $45.00. Private charters are available for an outing with family and friends or as an activity for corporate meetings. Reservations are suggested. There is not much more 'Nantucket' than sailing around the harbor at sunset!

5. The Whaling Museum

The Whaling Museum, operated by the Nantucket Historical Association (founded in 1894), is accredited by the American Alliance of Museums. Featuring permanent and rotating exhibitions in 9 premium galleries, with over a thousand works of art, artifacts, and treasures on display, it tells the Island's fascinating stories over four centuries. Numerous daily programs by our interpreters, children's' activities in the Discovery Center, and intimate spotlight tours complement the visit. The museum is home to a 46-foot sperm whale skeleton, a massive Fresnel lens, a restored 1847 candle factory, and a relaxing, fully-accessible rooftop deck offer stunning views of Nantucket harbor. Maximize your visit by going to our nine historic homes and sites which are open to the public. The Nantucket Whaling Museum is located just steps from both of the ferry docks, so this is often one of the first places people visit when coming to Nantucket. Make sure you block off some time because there is a lot to see and to learn. 

6. Visit Brant Point Lighthouse

Established in 1746, America's second-oldest lighthouse has been in service for more than 250 years. Brant Point Lighthouse is the lighthouse seen as you enter the harbor on either the Hyline or The Steamship Authority Ferry service. This is a great place to capture photos of you and your family. Very often, you will see families who hire professional photographers out here, creating long-lasting memories. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

7. Visit Cisco Brewery

This is a must-do on island! Open every day year-round, dog, and kid-friendly! Cisco is home to not just a craft brewery but also a distillery and a vineyard as well! In the summer it can be quite busy here, but it is equipped to handle the traffic. Often there are multiple food trucks on-site as well as live music. The downside to some may be that there is not much place to seek shelter from the sun if you need a break from the heat, so bring a hat! Another impressive feature of the brewery is the shuttle. You can get a free shuttle ride to and from the brewery right from Federal St (just across from our office!). They pick you up at 23 Federal Street daily every 20 minutes from Noon to 6:30 pm in season (Starts May 10th!). 

8. Go to Surfside Beach!

This is one of the most popular beaches on Nantucket. Very family friendly though the surf can get heavy at times. Lifeguards are on duty in-season at this beach. Located at the end of Surfside Road, a three-mile ride on the paved bike path or take the NRTA Shuttle in season. Easy to park your car in the lot near the beach, and this beach is easily accessible by bike path. Plenty of surf, wide beach is suitable for picnics, beach games, and surfcasting. Kite flying west of Surfside Beach is acceptable; for safety reasons, please do not fly kites east of Surfside toward the airport. Due to the number of people who frequent Surfside Beach during the day, it is inadvisable to fly kites during the peak beachgoing hours. Surfside is good for shelling in the early morning and famous in the evenings for surfcasting. 

 

Fall is still busy here on Nantucket.  Recently
we have been whacked with a few storms but don't worry, we're still afloat and it'll take more than a nor'easter to stop our real estate market.  Now that the peak season is over, it's time to start thinking about next summer.  The earlier you book your Nantucket Vacation, the more options you will have to choose from.  If you are ready to move on from renting to ownership, the fall is an excellent time to explore the Nantucket Real Estate market.  Prospective buyers won't be distracted by the beach, and properties are easier to show this time of year.  If you're visiting the island this off season just to enjoy the serenity and salty air or with purchasing Real Estate in mind, we have two great downtown apartments available to rent on a nightly basis.  They are an ideal central hub from which to kick off your real estate pursuit.  Lastly, homeowners, please remember to register your rental property with MassTaxConnect.  If you have any questions about this, please contact our Rental Manager, Rachel, at our office and she will be able to help you through it.

 

Fall on Nantucket is a terrific time to take advantage of a myriad of activities from the historical to the athletic, from the educational to the just plain fun!

October is still an excellent time to visit, the weather will be on the crisper side, but all the beauty abounds! Of course with fall on Nantucket not only do we get a change in temperature but we get variations in color. Many of the greens start to fade to reds, ambers, and browns, which can make for some fantastic photo opportunities. 

On October 12th the island is hosting the 16th Annual Cranberry Festival at Milestone Cranberry Bog. "The Nantucket Cranberry Festival is a popular event among adults and children alike – the Foundation’s Milestone Cranberry Bog is transformed into the most unique and beautiful of Festival grounds for this special event. Visitors can expect to learn about the history of cranberry farming on Nantucket through educational displays and harvesting demonstrations, participate in family activities, sample delectable cranberry treats, and other New England classics, or simply enjoy the music and the spectacular autumn scenery. And as always, there will be pounds of organic Genuine Nantucket Cranberries available for purchase!"  To find out all the details follow THIS LINK. 

If you're the more active type and up for a challenge the 9th Annual Nantucket Half Marathon is the very next day! "This race is one of the most scenic Half Marathon courses on the East Coast! Set on charming Nantucket Island, the route travels through wooded dirt roads (some with short sandy sections!), tree-lined bike paths, and lightly traveled streets with beautiful ocean views. The course is gently rolling, but you are never more than a few feet above sea level! Approximately 40% of the course is on dirt roads with a few sandy sections that can be challenging, but there are no significant hills. You may run on roads and see parts of Nantucket you never knew existed!" The course map can be found HERE and more details on how to signup HERE. 

Did you know Nantucket is home to a vast array of conservation land and walking/hiking trails? This can make for great Fall fun, and many of the trails are easy to access and navigate so they can be perfect for family fun. There is a great online resource called All Trails, and we took the time to sort out the Nantucket trails HERE. If you don't want to take the self-guided route, you can call Nantucket Walkabout. Nantucket Walkabout is Nantucket’s only year-round guided hiking service offering natural history walks on Nantucket’s protected lands all over the island. They lead hikes during all seasons that inform on how, geologically, the island was created by the last glacier, how Nantucket got its unique collection of plants and wildlife, how and when Native Americans and European settlers impacted the island’s natural world, conservation efforts, and what the future may hold for the island. Nantucket Walkabout is not a tour bus or van service driving from sight to sight. They get out and walk into Nantucket’s wilderness to experience life off the road in all seasons. It’s a part bird walk, part botany hike, part geology and all about exploration.

The final pieces to any weekend getaway are transportation and lodging. For ferry schedules head over to The Steamship Authority or Hy-Line's website. For accommodation, you can browse our Nantucket vacation rental listings by clicking here.

Have a great fall!

-The Jordan Real Estate Team