With over 55 years of exceptional service and enduring relationships, the island’s premier real estate agency will honor and maintain its independence while exponentially expanding its domestic and international reach.
Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts (April 9, 2024): Forbes Global Properties, an international network of selected real estate brokerages that connects buyers and sellers to the world’s most exceptional properties, is proud to welcome Tea Lane Associates to its prestigious ranks. Locally owned and operated, Tea Lane Associates will exclusively represent the brand throughout Martha’s Vineyard, one of the United States’ premier luxury markets for primary and secondary homes off the coast of Cape Cod.
Tea Lane Associates was founded in 1967 by business and life partners Eleanor D. Pearlson, one of the first women to join the Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service (WAVES) during World War II, and Julia Green Sturges, an active philanthropist, feminist pioneer, and patron of music and art. Ahead of their time, Tea Lane Associates started simply as the two women operating out of a small office in Chilmark, one of the first practices in the area to be completely women-owned and run. By the time of their passings, they had built the iconic firm into one of the major real estate companies on the island and an integral part of the local community. Now proudly owned and operated by Eleanor’s nieces, Abby Rabinovitz and Leslie Pearlson, their legacy and enduring reputation of spirit, service and integrity lives on today through the firm’s agents.
“Forbes Global Properties was founded to champion and bolster the success of independent real estate firms like Tea Lane Associates who are leaders within their market. Martha’s Vineyard has long been a revered destination for those looking to decompress and reconnect with family and friends amongst natural beauty while enjoying a truly special way of life. We are so proud to welcome a company with such a rich legacy, unrivaled local knowledge, and an incredible future.”
— Michael Jalbert, CEO of Forbes Global Properties
With widespread recognition for quality properties and a deep connection to Martha’s Vineyard, Tea Lane Associates maintains the highest standards of professional practice while honoring and preserving the Vineyard’s unparalleled atmosphere and environment. Each of the firm’s associates has extensive real estate experience in the area, bringing a wide variety of professional, personal, and community involvement to all client and collaborative interactions. This valuable body of knowledge and experience is proven time and again by the team’s outstanding sales record, with new and returning customers trusting Tea Lane each year to handle every step and detail of their renting, selling, or purchasing journey on the island.
“Forbes Global Properties was founded to champion and bolster the success of independent real estate firms like Tea Lane Associates who are leaders within their market,” said Michael Jalbert, CEO of Forbes Global Properties. “Martha’s Vineyard has long been a revered destination for those looking to decompress and reconnect with family and friends amongst natural beauty while enjoying a truly special way of life. We are so proud to welcome a company with such a rich legacy, unrivaled local knowledge, and an incredible future.”
“We have been looking for a way to expand our global reach while maintaining our independence and proud identity as a Martha’s Vineyard company. Forbes Global Properties is the perfect match. An invitation-only network backed by the media power of Forbes, Forbes Global Properties is not a franchise. Tea Lane Associates will continue to operate as we have for more than five decades, with the additional benefit of unparalleled global exposure for our high-end listings,” said Abby Rabinovitz, Owner and Principal Broker of Tea Lane Associates. “We remain an independent company, affiliating with other outstanding brokerages who share our interests, goals, and commitment to dedicated service for our clients.”
“Our founder and aunt, Eleanor Pearlson was adored throughout the community, and recognized for her hallmark wit, acumen, and deep love for our Island,” adds Leslie Pearlson, Owner of Tea Lane Associates. “She’d often say at office gatherings and to clients living and vacationing on the Island about life on the Vineyard, ‘Aren’t we the lucky bums?’ We could not agree more and are honored to continue to share the place she so proudly called home.”
The exclusive worldwide residential real estate partner of Forbes, Forbes Global Properties, provides branding and marketing services to the world’s premier real estate firms and is now represented by real estate agents across 26 countries in more than 500 locations. Tea Lane Associates joins this network of top firms with proven records of success in luxury property sales and exceptionally professional client service.
As members of this exclusive network, Tea Lane Associates will benefit from Forbes’ engaged audience of more than 140 million to connect, inspire, and inform affluent potential homebuyers and sellers about the finest properties for sale globally.
Homes will be presented across Forbes and Forbes Global Properties print, digital, and social media channels with expert commentary, timely market data, and top-tier editorials. Tea Lane Associates’ prime residential listings will be showcased on forbesglobalproperties.com – a curated collection of high-value, luxury home listings.