A new multiple listing service for Vineyard real estate is set to launch June 1, as a Cape Cod Realtors group looks to plant a flag in the lucrative Island real estate market.

Pitched as an effort to offer newer technology for Island brokers and agents, the Martha’s Vineyard Multiple Listing Service is owned by the Cape Cod and Islands Association of Realtors, based in West Yarmouth.

The new service will compete directly with the long-established LINK multiple listing service currently used by most Island real estate companies. LINK is owned by Deb Taylor Blair of Edgartown.

Ryan Castle, chief executive officer of the Cape Cod and Islands Association of Realtors, told the Gazette this week that his company made an offer to buy LINK last year, but was unsuccessful.

“This is our next play, to create a competitive product,” Mr. Castle said. “Brokers were coming to us saying needs weren’t being met. It is a unique real estate market, and they need unique things that make sense for Martha’s Vineyard.”

The cost of the new multiple listing service has not been set, but will be offered free to Island brokers and agents until the end of this year. The service will be governed by a board of directors made up of Island real estate professionals.

“They get to set their cost, they get to run their business,” Mr. Castle said. But according to an email sent to Cape Cod Realtors by organizers of the new multiple listing service, ownership of the new business venture and any profits will remain with the Cape Cod association.

“This could take our market share above 75 per cent, putting CCIAOR in the position of owning the market-leading MLS in two locations. Few other Realtor associations in the country are in this position, putting the Cape Cod Realtor at the forefront of the national Realtor community,” the organization said in the email to its Cape Cod members.

Mr. Castle said 60 per cent of Island real estate listings are already in the organization’s Cape Cod and Islands Multiple Listing Service, and will transfer to the new multiple listing service exclusively for Martha’s Vineyard properties. He hopes to list 95 per cent of the real estate listings on the Island by the end of the year.

“Technology is going to be greatly improved,” said Courtney Marek, co-owner and president of Sandpiper Realty, who will be using the new service. “It gives us another choice of provider, which is always good, competition. I don’t think it will help us sell more. It will make us more efficient, much more efficient I expect.”

Ms. Blair, owner and president of LINK Martha’s Vineyard, said her organization is fielding calls from Island brokers who are confused about the launch of the new service. In a statement emailed to the Gazette, she said:

“There is less here than meets the eye. LINK, an independent listing service has been solely focused on serving the interests and needs of the Martha’s Vineyard real estate community since 1992. We are committed to our community and to our clients, which can be difficult if not impossible for a member-driven off-Island entity, like Cape Cod and Islands Association of Realtors with conflicting board, member and ownership interests.”

In a phone interview with the Gazette, Ms. Blair said the technology used by LINK has stayed current.

“LINK has consistently upgraded its software and is excited to be releasing its next version in late spring of 2019, that will meet and exceed our clients’ expectations,” she said. “We have no intention of being put out of business by an off-Island entity.”

Peter Cronig of Cronig’s Real Estate in Vineyard Haven was skeptical of the newer service.

“I’ve been very satisfied for almost 30 years now,” Mr. Cronig said, speaking of LINK. “All I can say is good luck to them.”