Transfer Fee Has Few Downsides, Study Finds
A new study finds that a proposed real estate transfer fee on Martha’s Vineyard could raise millions for affordable housing without hurting the housing market.
Researchers found no meaningful impact on home sales or prices in similar high-end vacation markets that adopted the fee. The findings offer fresh evidence for Island officials who have long pushed the policy as a solution to the region’s housing crisis. With home prices soaring and affordability slipping, the report could help sway lawmakers who have been hesitant to approve the measure.
The study was also covered in the Nantucket Current, Martha's Vineyard Times, Boston Business Journal, State House News Service, as well as WCAI and WBUR radio.
Read article: Transfer Fee Has Few Downsides, Study Finds
May 14, 2026
