A diminutive and vividly painted cottage, affectionately dubbed a 'gingerbread house', has been listed for sale within the prestigious Martha's Vineyard enclave of Oak Bluffs, Massachusetts, with an asking price of $640,000.
A Colourful Slice of History
The one-bedroom, one-bathroom home is situated at 2 Lincoln Avenue inside the Camp Meeting Association campground, a community recognised as a National Historic Landmark. Known locally as 'Fun Size' or 'Baby Vineyard', the property represents a more economical pathway to owning a slice of one of America's most expensive and sought-after islands.
'It's becoming more popular, believe it or not,' explained Stacy Ickes, the property's listing agent. 'I think it's just because it's a way to get in. It's an affordable way to get your foot in the door.'
Compact but Complete Living
Spanning just 354 square feet, the cottage underwent a comprehensive renovation in 2023. The updates introduced a fresh kitchen and bathroom, new hardwood floors, and modernised systems that allow for year-round living. The interior features 20-foot peaked ceilings, a living area bathed in sunlight, and a bedroom separated by a partition.
The compact kitchen is equipped with a full-size stainless steel refrigerator, a stove, a washer-dryer unit, and is surprisingly adorned with a chandelier. A cleverly concealed storage area behind a white curtain serves as a walk-in pantry. The bathroom boasts butter-yellow walls, a stained-glass window, and a shower tiled in pink and blue.
Outside, the home offers a small front porch with seating for two, a side yard, and backyard access from the kitchen. Its prime location means Oak Bluffs Harbor, with its beaches, shops, and restaurants, is less than a ten-minute walk away. 'You are steps to the harbour and Circuit Avenue... You're in the heart of everything,' said Ickes.
The Cost of Community
Purchasing this unique property also grants membership to the Martha's Vineyard Camp Meeting Association, a religious non-profit founded in the 1800s. The 34-acre Wesleyan Grove community is famed for its approximately 300 brightly painted wooden cottages.
Ownership comes with ongoing costs beyond the purchase price:
- An annual association fee of $1,627.
- Approximately $2,225 in yearly property taxes.
- An optional assigned parking space in a separate lot for $125 per year.
This charming, winterised cottage, with its 'upgraded systems and finishes that make it as cozy in winter as it is bright and breezy in summer,' presents a rare opportunity to join a historic community on one of America's most exclusive islands.
