Brunswick & Harpswell are neighboring towns in Cumberland County along the Casco Bay in the Gulf of Maine. Scenic and historic they also have a thriving arts and cultural scene inspired by their coastal charm.  Accolades for this area have been featured in the Wall Street Journal, Money Magazine, Where to Retire Magazine and MSN’s House & Home. Most recently, based on a search of cultural assets in towns with populations under 25,000, the Smithsonian Magazine recognized Brunswick, Maine as one of the best small towns in America.

LandVest, the recognized leader for Maine real estate, waterfront homes and estates throughout New England, offers three exceptional properties in Harpswell, just 8 miles from Brunswick:

Click here to read Smithsonian’s article about Brunswick.

For more information on Maine Real Estate for sale in the Portland, Maine and surrounding area contact William Davisson at wdavisson@landvest.com or click for William Davisson’s contact information.

Menikoe Point - a majestic and private oceanfront estate with
panoramic views over Casco Bay and the Atlantic Ocean

Menikoe Point, circa 1870-1900, is a majestic oceanfront compound sited on 10.00± acres with 2,400± feet along Casco Bay and the Atlantic Ocean.  The historic residence presents a waterfront oasis in a park-like setting of mature trees, flowering shrubs and formal gardens.  A separate two-bedroom guest house, deepwater dock, float and mooring is on offer.  The early gardens of Margaret Payson’s “Heron House” were designed by cousin Ellen Louise Payson, with the guest house and refinements to the residence by Architect John Calvin Stevens.  The residence offers elegant light-filled living spaces for gracious entertainment, spectacular ocean views, and a private cloister surrounded by nature’s beauty.

Loggia entry to great lawn

Seaside terrace and gardens

•The coveted Menikoe Point neighborhood is minutes from the Portland Country Club, the Portland Yacht Club, the cultural, business and transportation amenities of Portland.

• Falmouth Foreside is serviced by the Portland International Jetport and Boston’s Logan International is 115 miles by auto and rail.

Falmouth Foreside, settled in the 1600s and incorporated in 1718, is among Maine’s oldest maritime communities.  The Foreside is a neighborhood of established waterfront estates on Casco Bay and the Atlantic Ocean, many dating from the 19th century.

Historic Portland supports a dynamic arts community, including the Portland Museum of Art, symphony, ballet, theatre and popular entertainment venues.  Fine dining, artisan bakeries and merchant offerings enhance the quality of life for the residents.

LandVest brokered the transition to the current owner/stewards 25 years ago.  The estate enjoys beautiful restoration and attention.

For further information, or to visit this property, please contact William Davisson in the LandVest Portland office at 207-228-0170 or at wdavisson@landvest.com.

Barron’s and Jim Grant have both called named coastal Maine Waterfront Real estate a top real estate opportunity.  With the recession in real estate bottoming out, and transactions coming through at levels reflective of 2001, experts agree that Maine real estate offers values not seen for a decade or more.

The recent Barron’s article  “20 Best Places For Second Homes“, stated that the “luxury second-home market is now firming up again” and with a rapidly closing window for bargains.  Grant’s Interest Rate Observer featured Maine as a great opportunity for buyers of choice vacation homes, “In Wall Street argot, Maine would be considered the Pink Sheets market.”  Indeed, like the OTC equity market, Maine offers opportunities for astute investors.  What puts Maine waterfront real estate at the top of the list?  Value and Quality of life.

Barron’s recommends Castine, Maine as a Top 20 Second Home location along with such glittering locales as Aspen, Scottsdale, Jackson Hole and Pebble Beach.  Why the focus on quiet, historic Castine?  Barrons calls Castine “a low-key Yankee playground of celebrated writers, rich with undiscovered gems”.

Three such gems offered by LandVest are Coverly Farm – a classic Maine Saltwater farm with sweeping lawns down to the water, a breezy and open main house, additional guest cottage and lovely gardens.

Main residence of Coverly Farm in Castine ME sits on 40± private acres overlooking fields and stone walls

Nautilus Island has all the magic of a private island, a beautifully restored century old seaside estate, pool, terraces, boathouse, tennis court, vineyard, pine woods, rocky shores and two guest houses.

Aerial view of Nautilus Island in Brooksville, ME

The Morey-Pierce House, an historic, architectural landmark at the entrance to Castine Harbor, is an exquisitely renovated Victorian residence with spectacular views of the water and islands of Penobscot Bay.

Morey-Pierce House - covered entrance porch overlooking Castine

Castine’s particular charm derives from its location at the end of a peninsula projecting into beautiful Penobscot Bay.  One of the oldest settlements in North America, Castine has been continuously occupied since the early 1600’s.  Situated on an island-like peninsula on the eastern shore of Penobscot Bay, the village’s strategic location has been the site of trading posts, missions, military forts and permanent settlements of England, Holland, France and colonial America.  By the end of the 19th century, the town was again rediscovered with the arrival of steamships filled with summer tourists, or “rusticators ” to the locals.  Ample, shingled summer “cottages” sprung up along the shore complementing the stately Georgian and Federal homes that line Castine’s streets.  With the establishment of the Maine Maritime Academy in 1942, the town became a vibrant year-round community.  Today, shops, galleries and restaurants enliven the village.  The Castine Golf Club and the Castine Yacht Club welcome summer residents and visitors to this picturesque destination.  Described in Barron’s as “a step out of time” Castine continues its connection to the ocean as a way of life.

An active cultural life combined with natural beauty has long attracted writers and artists, Barron’s notes that “The late novelist Mary McCarthy and her career-diplomat husband once mixed in town with Washington insiders, literati and showbiz sorts. Today a similar set includes Sex and the City writer and producer, Jenny Bicks.”

Artfully restored and expanded, this historic landmark enjoys spectacular Penobscot Bay views

Sited on ~2.6 acres of beautiful grounds with 324' of waterfront, 2 decks and deep water mooring.

Barron’s featured LandVest’s listing, the Morey-Pierce House , a proud 19th century landmark at the harbor entrance  offered by John Saint-Amour and Terry Sortwell.

For more information about buying or selling distinctive real estate in Coastal Maine, contact one of our Maine Real Estate Brokers.

Camden, Maine Area Real Estate Broker

Portland, Maine Area Real Estate Broker

Northeast Harbor, Area Real Estate Broker

This 5,800 sq ft English Cotswolds-style manor home has 11 rooms and 6 baths and sits on more than 14 acres fronting the Atlantic Ocean

The Great room is defined by a 32-foot cathedral ceiling that includes hammer-beamed arches and grand fireplace with carved stone surround

Library features hand-painted mural of Cape Elizabeth and connects to porch at poolside terrace

Poolside terrace connects residence to pool area from great room and ibrary covered porch

46'x 16' pool is believed to be the oldest residential swimming pool in Cape Elizabeth

Imported Marston and Langinger seaside conservatory with fireplace, telephone, gas, electric and cable.

If you missed the open house, click here to read Marie C. Baca’s Wall Street Journal article
about this ocean front property in Maine.
Click here to see property details for Garrison Field.

For more information on Maine Real Estate for sale in Portland, Maine and surrounding area
contact William Davisson at wdavisson@landvest.com or click for William Davisson’s contact
information.

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In the October issue of Portland Magazine, editor Colin Sargent chose LandVest real estate listing Garrison Field, a Maine historic oceanfront estate in Cape Elizabeth, as his cover story.  Colin toured the property with listing broker William Davisson and later confessed that Garrison Field was among his all-time favorite properties.  “We are in the business of marketing extraordinary properties in the most desirable locations,” said William Davisson, and Garrison Field defines extraordinary among the historic Greater Portland area properties.  Colin walks his readers through the remarkable details that make this property one of Maine’s best.

Relax on this poolside terrace and soak in the country lifestyle!

Enjoy the breathtaking brick-walled gardens with views to the sea

Click here to see property details for Garrison Field.

For more information on Maine Real Estate for sale in Portland, Maine and surrounding area contact William Davisson at wdavisson@landvest.com or click for William Davisson’s contact information.

Indian Head, Northeast Harbor, ME Listed At: $15,500,000 was the highest recorded residential sale in the state of Maine. Broker: Story Litchfield

Despite global economic and stock market concerns, the high-end coastal Maine real estate market is seeing a positive increase in activity.  Terry Sortwell of LandVest in Camden, Maine reports on the coastal Maine real estate market.  “In the last six weeks we have had an unexpected surge in the number of productive showings in midcoast Maine. Despite market conditions, the buyers that we have spoken to lately do not appear to be concerned with making a real estate investment.  On the contrary, they feel they are getting a good deal and feel a sense of urgency: if they don’t buy, someone else will.”  That sense of urgency is not without merit.  “Several of our recent sales have had more than one person on the waiting list,” says Ruth Kennedy Sudduth, director of the Residential Brokerage Division. “an occurance that we have not seen happen in quite some time.”  In addition, the recent activity has a wide spread in terms of price points.  Story Litchfield of LandVest’s Northeast Harbor office recently brokered the sale of Indian Point which was the highest residential sale in the state of Maine.

John Saint-Amour from LandVest’s Portland office reports similar increased activity in southern coastal Maine and into the western lakes region. With buyers looking for value, sellers are working with realistic offers and properties are selling. For the entire state of Maine since 1/1/2011,  John reports that there have been 15 sales at $2,000,000 and over. LandVest did 7 of these 15 sales. Of the 11 “pending” transactions in the $2,000,000 and over, LandVest is responsible for four of these properties.

William Davisson, also of the LandVest Portland office, reports dramatic increased activity from buyers having interest in properties in Southern Maine. Oceanfront positions, proximity to amenities, accessibility to transportation, and relative turn-key quality define search parameters for these buyers. The recent financial market turmoil has not deterred prospect property visits with most buyers. It is generally acknowledged that value in Maine Coast real estate is present. York and Cumberland Counties currently have three properties pending, and one sold, listed above $3MM. LandVest represented the Sellers for the $4.2MM sale, and is managing two of the pending transactions.

John Scribner, also from the LandVest Portland office, reports there seems to be a sense that the bottom has been realized and that the market is beginning to turn.  This phenomenon requires a unique property with realistic pricing (there has to be the appearance of a good deal for all parties) but it is an emotion we are sensing in the market place we have not seen in a long time.  The coast of Maine has been a dream of many for many years, but sellers over confidence (over pricing) and market conditions (recessionary times) have limited opportunities for intelligent buyers.  The barriers to entry seem to have lifted a bit.

Below is an illustrative collection of LandVest – Maine  listings that have gone under agreement or sold  in the last few weeks.

Pine Knot, Kennebunk, ME, $3,850,000 -Broker: John Scribner

Seabury Farm, York Harbor, ME $3,495,000 Broker John Saint-Amour

Long Reach, Harpswell, ME $1,745,000 Broker: John Saint-Amour

Eastern Bay Farm, North Haven, Maine, $1,875,000 Broker: Terry Sortwell

Harbor House, St. George, ME $975,000 Broker: Terry Sortwell/John Saint-Amour representing the buyer

Deep Cove, St. George, ME, $2,175,000 Broker: Terry Sortwell

Isleview, Seal Harbor, Mount Desert, ME, $950,000 Broker: Story Litchfield

Pratt's Island Cottage Southport, ME, $1,250,000 Broker: John Scribner

Lilyhaven, Islesboro, ME, $3,495,000 Broker: William Davisson

For more information about buying or selling distinctive real estate in Coastal Maine or information about any of the properties that have sold or are under agreement in Bar Harbor, Northeast Harbor and the Down East area, Camden/Rockport and the mid-coast Maine region, York County, Greater Portland and Boothbay Harbor regions, contact one of our Maine Real Estate Brokers.

Camden, Maine Area Real Estate Broker

Portland, Maine  Area Real Estate Broker

Northeast Harbor, Area Real Estate Broker

For more information, click on photos or contact:  Terry Sortwell tsortwell@landvest.com or Shannon Thompson sthomson@landvest.com or call 207-236-3543.

Harbor House

6.13 acres with walking paths to 860 feet of easily accessible shorefront

380 Port Clyde Road, St. George, ME 04860

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Cove House

~1 acre property includes 260 feet of waterfront and private sand beach.   

19 Sea Street, Rockport, ME 04856

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Winfield Point

6 acres of classic island property

11 Bremen Long Island, Bremen, ME 04551

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30 Davis Point

Property is on 45 acres with tidal frontage on Davis Cove

30 Davis Point Road, Cushing, ME 04563

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Patrick Mountain

453 forested acres on the shoulder of Patrick Mountain

777 Old County Rd., Washington, ME 04574

For more information, click on photos, call the LandVest – Portland Maine  (207) 774-8518 or contact the Portland broker listed with each Maine property.

Coveside

1.80 Acres

393 High Head Road, Harpswell, ME

$1,625,000

For more information, contact William Davisson
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Morey-Pierce House

2.60 Acres

67 Perkins Street, Castine, ME

$4,250,000

For more information, contact John Saint-Amour or Terry Sortwell

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Pine Knot

3.19 Acres

48 Parsons Beach Road, Kennebunk, ME

$3,850,000

For more information, contact John Scribner

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The Moxie Farm is a 36± acre saltwater farm (with 3,425± feet of deepwater shorefront) located on the northern point of Friendship Long Island, in Maine

In coastal Maine, saltwater farms and farms near the coast are in increasingly high demand. We are seeing new, serious interest in farms among buyers of high-end real estate. Most are interested in land conservation and small-scale farming activities. Popular as vacation properties as well as private residences, farms on the Maine coast offer historic properties with beautiful, private settings at exceptional value. Some, like the Moxie Farm, are true saltwater farms. Located on Friendship Long Island, in Friendship, Maine, the Moxie Farm includes open fields and pristine woods together with a historic farmhouse, barn, and over 3400 feet of shorefront. Its two deepwater wharves and proximity to Friendship village offer easy access as well as privacy.

Eastern Bay Farm in North Haven, Maine encompasses 90± acres and 580± feet of waterfront with a wide pebble beach

Another waterfront property and saltwater farm is Eastern Bay Farm, located on the island of North Haven, easily accessed by public ferry or small plane. The historic property includes some 95 acres with 580± feet of shorefront, including a spectacular beach. The views of surrounding islands and Penobscot Bay are wonderful. The house is a classic historic Cape overlooking rolling fields.

With 133± acres, Two Century Farm in Bristol, ME is an idyllic sanctuary rich in historical interest, architectural appeal, and scenic beauty.

Two Century Farm in Bristol  is another bucolic property. Steeped in colonial history and rich with character, the 133± acre farm property is located close to Maine waterfront towns on the Pemaquid peninsula but is a completely secluded, hidden sanctuary. With stone walls bordering meadows and an exquisite late 1700s Cape, the farm is a wonderful example of farmland preservation.

30 Davis Point Road, in Cushing, ME is a meticulously crafted extended Cape and barn are perfectly sited on a hilltop overlooking this property's 45± acres

Our final Maine coast farm offering is 30 Davis Point Road with an impeccable traditional extended Cape, perfectly sited on a hilltop, overlooking meadows and a pond. The property is located on the desirable Davis Point peninsula in Cushing, Maine, and includes a small amount of tidal frontage on Davis Cove. We love the combination of the ocean and the beautiful rural character of Midcoast Maine. The bucolic character and feeling of being away from it all makes Robert Shiller’s article on the compelling case for farmland investment even more appealing.

Click to view Coastal Maine Real Estate For Sale and Midcoast Maine Farms for sale (For more information about living in Midcoast Maine, contact Terry Sortwell(tsortwell@landvest.com) or Shannon Thompson (sthompson@landvest.com)

 This entry is brought to you by Terry Sortwell and Shannon Thompson of LandVest – Camden, Maine who assist and advise real estate owners and buyers of fine homes and estates throughout Midcoast Maine.

LandVest has long specialized in the marketing of farm properties in New England.  A quick look through our current listings identifies over  35 “farm”  properties for sale.  New England horse farms for sale range from an idyllic Woodstock, Vermont equestrian property with every facet polished to a brilliant shine (Uphill Farm, Woodstock, VT) to a private estate with a timber frame barn and dressage arena in Wayland, Massachusetts (Stonegate Farm, Wayland MA).  We have an antique 18th century farm for sale in Southern New Hampshire, completely period in appearance, but updated in function (Little Brook Farm, Jaffrey, NH), and a stunning equestrian facility with heated barns and every amenity (Shadow Fox Farm, Peterborough, NH)  From charming kitchen gardens in a pastoral setting in Maine (Salmon Falls Farm, Bar Mills, Maine) to Ellen Biddle Shipman-designed terraced gardens with bold mountain views in Vermont (North Mowing),  a secluded retreat in the Northeast Kingdom of Vermont (Heavensent Farm, Peacham, Vermont) to an opulently redone estate 30 minutes from downtown Boston (Meredith Farm, Topsfield, MA). Many also include extensive waterfront and range from a 1,300 acre conserved working farm on the New York side of Lake Champlain (Bessboro Farm, Westport, NY) to a saltwater farm on 16 acres with a replica 18th century thatch-roof barn, private dock and spectacular views of Cape Cod Bay (Mill Farm Waterfont Compound). We have properties to fit an array of budgets and tastes. 

A farm, we know, is in the eye of the beholder.  Each of these properties is magical in their own way and represents the vision of its owners – often generations of them – in creating a unique and personalized landscape with a soul of its own.  We will be posting a series on farms in the coming weeks and invite you to follow along on a tour of some of the special places which make New England farm living so appealing. 

Click below for more:

Farms for sale in New England
Equestrian Facility for sale

 This blog post has been brought to you by Ruth Kennedy Sudduth, who, as the director of LandVest’s Residential Brokerage Division, has a unique perspective on the luxury real estate market.  This regular feature will chronicle special places and give readers insights on New England’s high end real estate market.

Terry Sortwell is a principal and regional manager at LandVest’s Camden office. The firm deals in high-end properties, generally more than $1 million. He suggested that the current market conditions have shown, once again, that real estate is not a liquid investment.

“If there’s not a lot of demand for the property you own, you can reduce the price way down below what one would think it’s worth and still not sell it,” said Sortwell. “You can’t make a market for it — that’s part of the frustration many sellers are going through.”

The market he deals in got very quiet about three years ago, reviving a bit last year, said Sortwell.

“Basically, buyers have been …”  Read the full article

In the May/June issue of Ocean Home Magazine the following “Best of New England”, real estate listings were featured in their “Top 25 Oceanfront Homes”:

Best Real Estate Northeast Harbor, Maine:

Sound Edge $6,900,000, listed by Story Litchfield, of LandVest – Northeast Harbor, Maine (slitchfield@landvest.com)

Sound Edge in Northeast Harbor, Maine is a totally restored summer cottage on 1.4 acres of land along the shores of Maine's Somes Sound

Indian Head (under agreement)   listed by Story Litchfield, of LandVest – Northeast Harbor, Maine (Slitchfield@landvest.com)

Indian Head in Northeast Harbor, Maine (under agreement) takes full advantage of its spectacular location offering panoramic ocean, island, and mountain views.

Best Real Estate, St. George, Maine:

Davis Island, $4,950,000 listed by Terry Sortwell, LandVest – Camden, Maine (tsortwell@landvest.com)

Aerial view of Davis Island, St. George, Maine. This 48-acre island offering includes an estate that comprises a residence, guest house, boat barn, two docks, and observatory that offers 360 degrees of ocean viewing.

Best Real Estate, Edgartown, Massachusetts:

Edgartown Beachfront, $19,500,000 Edgartown, MA listed by Gerret Conover and Thomas LeClair, LandVest – Martha’s Vineyard, MA (gconover@landvest.com, tleclair@landvest.com)

Edgartown Beachfront, a modernized 18th-century estate, includes seven double bedrooms, and one single bedroom all with their own distinctive charm. This property is privately set with approximately 300 feet of sandy beach.

Best Real Estate, Gloucester, Massachusetts:

Red Gable, Gloucester, Massachusetts $3,800,000 listed by Lanse Robb, LandVest – Boston, MA

Red Gable, a fully renovated 1880 oceanfront home, sits on .5 acres of Coffin Beach, at the northwestern tip of Cape Ann. Ocean views abound from nearly every room of this elevated, 5-bedroom home.

Best Real Estate, Harwich Port, Massachusetts:

Wychmere Waterfront Estate, Harwich Port, MA $14,500,000 listed by Stewart Young, LandVest – Boston, MA

Wychmere Harbor in Harwich Port, MA is a 9,000 square foot, custom built and landscaped home on approximately 3.6 waterfront acres.

Click to read the LandVest listing excerpts in Ocean Home Magazine

To view the entire article featuring the best oceanfront homes for sale in the 15 featured states of CA, CT, FL, GA, HI, ME, MA, NC, NY, OR, RI, SC, TX, VA, WA pick up a copy on newstands  or visit Ocean Home Magazine’s website.

View additional “Best” real estate by visiting www.landvest.com

One of the great pleasures of directing the LandVest Residential Real Estate Group is seeing the truly remarkable properties we have for sale, and understanding their appeal through the eyes of our team of experts in each regional market. LandVest has offices and experts in the markets where the most special properties exist. The best real estate tends to be in locations where beauty and sense of place have been recognized for generations, making for truly remarkable combinations of site and houses. This series of blog entries explores some of these special places and some of the remarkable private properties hidden within them.

On up the coast to Camden and Rockport to meet with Terry Sortwell and Shannon Thompson. Camden’s streets tip and wrap along the rocky shoreline of the harbor, with gaps between the buildings opening to glimpses of lobster boats and moored cruising schooners.

Camden Harbor Waterfront is a rare investment opportunity with a variety of possibilities, and the best of Camden’s waterfront vistas.

Though the population bulges in the summer, the year-round community is vital enough to support a thriving village life, with most shops and top-notch restaurants staying open through the seasons, and several noteworthy conferences and recreational and cultural events happening through fall, winter and spring. Including internationally known Pop!Tech, the highly regarded foreign affairs symposium Camden Conference , the Camden Snow Bowl  hosting the National Toboggan Championships, and the renovated historic Strand Cinema in Rockland, bringing first run movies, nationally recognized music acts, and the Met Opera live in HD.

My favorite place may not be the most glamorous, but the Boynton McKay coffee shop, located in an old pharmacy, serves up amazing sticky buns and thick, homemade French toast. At the other end of the spectrum, Francine Bistro just down the street resonates to a cooler downtown vibe, with excellent seasonal menus well-presented.  Life in the Camden/Rockport region is civilized, with amenities ranging from the excellent Bay Chamber concert series to a great pool at the Penobscot Bay YMCA  for lap swimming.  Road biking is fantastic along the back roads that fan out from town, with harbor vistas shifting to quiet lakes and open farmland. The hills above Camden have wonderful hiking, with the reward of big views of Penobscot Bay when you get to the top.

The LandVest office in Camden  is in a beautiful harbor location, tucked up in an old sail loft down near the waterfront.  Above the harbor, climbing creaking stairs, it feels a world away from the generic American strip. Camden is a base for exploring Penobscot Bay, a huge protected bay dotted with islands, perfect for leisurely exploration by sail, motor, or paddle. The landscape is varied, with each change of aspect yielding another beautiful view. Because Maine coast real estate is all about the water and the views, exploring real estate for sale by boat, including private islands for sale, is the way to go.

Terry’s deceptively simple work boat is big and safe, though elegant and comfortable, and it makes for the best possible views of the great properties which would otherwise be hidden from view at the end of long driveways. Island living is one of coastal Maine’s great pleasures, and LandVest has listed and sold many remarkable properties. Island properties are the Camden office’s specialty, and Terry is arguably the region’s most experienced, knowledgeable and qualified broker for island real estate. The recent sale of Caldwell Island near Port Clyde—another record-setting island sale—is a fine example. Current listing Davis Island, also in Muscongus Bay, offers an exceptional opportunity of the highest quality for a buyer seeking a turn-key private island. The Grace Estate   is an island property of equally exceptional quality offering a very different experience. A historic early 20thc. “cottage” on Islesboro, the property encompasses 8.8± acres at the end of a private peninsula with spectacular views of the Camden Hills and down Penobscot Bay to open ocean. In addition to the 8-bedroom year-round residence, the estate also includes a guest house, boat house, deepwater dock, professional putting green, and saltwater swimming pool.

With waterfront properties ranging from understated oceanfront cottages to impeccably appointed private estates, Maine island properties offer a summer experience like no other.

Click below to view more Camden, Maine Real Estate for Sale

Central Coast Maine real estate for sale

Blue Hill real estate for sale

Pemaquid Peninsula properties for sale

Maine Island properties for sale

To view properties throughout maine:  Distinctive Maine Real Estate