Did you know you can get a house on Nantucket for free?
I did — and Realtor.com interviewed me to explain how it works.
It sounds like a myth, but it’s absolutely real: on Nantucket, it is possible to acquire a home for zero dollars if you’re able to move it to a new location. This long-standing island practice is part sustainability initiative, part cost-saving strategy, and part quirky local tradition — so distinctive that Realtor.com recently did an in-depth feature on Nantucket’s booming “house moving” culture.
Here’s how it works:
Before anyone is allowed to demolish a home on Nantucket, they must first offer it for free to anyone willing to take it. This requirement helps conserve the island’s limited landfill capacity, keeps thousands of pounds of construction debris out of the waste stream, and — surprisingly — is often cheaper than tearing down or starting new.
But here’s the catch:
You only get the house itself for free.
The move is the expensive part.
Transporting a home across the island typically costs $200,000 to $500,000, depending on the size of the structure, the route, and the prep work needed. Still, compared to building a new home from the ground up — especially on Nantucket — the savings can be significant. It’s one reason why Nantucket now has the most house moves in all of Massachusetts, with over 75 homes relocated since 2020. Each year, this activity peaks during “house moving season,” which runs from September 15 through June 15.
My First Nantucket Project Was One of Them
I learned all of this firsthand. Back in 2012, I purchased a parcel of land on a quiet street off Surfside Road, representing myself in the sale. I originally assumed I would build something new — perhaps a modular or stick-built home. But then the seller and his broker introduced an idea I’d never even considered:
“Take the existing 1965 saltbox on the original parcel… and move it to your lot.”
My initial reaction? A hard no.
The house was worn, dated, and honestly not what I pictured as my first home.
But after some (luxurious, back-then-normal) buyer deliberation, I realized the opportunity. Moving the house would save time, reduce costs, and give the developer a solution that avoided demolition. So I said yes.
The excavators lifted the structure, the foundation crew poured a brand-new 10’ foundation, and soon the saltbox was placed onto its new address — ready for its second life.
From there, the transformation began. I replaced nearly everything:
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new windows
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new doors
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new shingles, trim, and roof
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refreshed baths
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a completely redesigned kitchen
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added windows and doors for light and flow
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preserved the original pine shiplap (a little white paint performed magic)
Six to seven months later, I moved into the sweetest little home — charming, bright, and completely reimagined.
Why These Opportunities Matter
House moving on Nantucket is more than a quirky island tradition. It’s:
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sustainable (preserving landfill space)
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cost-friendly (cheaper than building new)
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historic-minded (saving older homes from demolition)
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surprisingly accessible (if you move quickly when one becomes available)
If you’re willing to take on the move, the house itself can cost nothing.
Want to Explore This for Yourself?
If you'd like to learn more about Nantucket’s rare opportunities to acquire a house for free if you can move it — or you’re curious about the Nantucket real estate market in general — reach out anytime. I love helping people discover what’s possible here. 🏡✨
Read the full article here:
https://www.realtor.com/news/trends/nantucket-house-moving-season-luxury-homes/
