Buying
Buying a home on the islands
Island houses are bought on ferry time. Here is how a purchase goes, and what to check that a mainland buyer might miss.
How a purchase goes
- A first call. Which island, how you will live there, and what you want to spend. Twenty minutes.
- A viewing day. Four to six houses planned around the ferry schedule, with lunch in Teal Harbor.
- The offer. Island sales usually include well, septic and bluff inspections as conditions. Dana writes them in.
- Inspections and closing. Thirty to forty-five days, with the inspectors booked the day the offer is accepted.
What to inspect
Wells, septic systems, bluffs and anything metal near salt water. Ask for the well flow test and a water quality report, a septic inspection with a pump-out, and a geotechnical report for any home near a bank.
Second homes
About a third of island homes are second homes. If you plan to rent yours out in summer, check the island's short-term rental rules before you make an offer, and budget for a caretaker who checks the house after winter storms.