Housing
This section of the BDN aims to help readers understand Maine’s housing crisis, the volatile real estate market and the public policy behind them. Read more Housing coverage here.
An off-the-grid seasonal cabin perched on a rocky private island off the coast of Harrington is on the market for the first time in nearly 40 years.
The two-bedroom, one-bathroom main cabin offers roughly 800 square feet of living space while the separate nearby boat and bath houses are around 300 square feet each, according to Susan Stephenson, an associate broker at NextHome Experience and the listing agent for the property.
The cluster of three structures sits on roughly a quarter acre on Cove Island in Pleasant Bay, off the coast of Harrington. The dot of land is accessible by foot at low tide, but a boat is needed to get to and from the mainland once the tide comes in, Stephenson said.
The home hit the market earlier this week and has already garnered interest from prospective buyers, Stephenson said. With an asking price of just under $400,000, the property is nearly double the value of an average home in Harrington, which Zillow placed around $208,000 as of last month.
“People are really drawn to this place for its beauty and they stay for the lifestyle,” Stephenson said. “It’s the Maine experience — slower pace of life, more space and a connection to the outdoors.”
The cabin is designed to be seasonal and has no electricity or indoor plumbing. The bath house has a composting toilet, but water must be brought to the site from the mainland, Stephenson said. There’s a fireplace for heat and a wood stove, which can be used for cooking and as a heat source.
Built in 1980 by boatbuilder Richard Henry Nash, the cabin has been meticulously restored over the last 20 years, Stephenson said.
The seller acquired the property in 1987 and is the third person to own the property. He’s selling it now to be closer to family and is “ready to pass it on to the next generation,” Stephenson said.
“Ultimately, the seller wants the next owner to find joy there,” she said.
Rural, rugged properties like this one are gaining popularity with buyers, Stephenson said, as they seem to be leaning into locations that offer serenity and simplicity. This location in particular offers 360 degrees of private waterfront and total privacy.
“Whether the buyer is local or from way, it’s not about the luxury, it’s about the lifestyle,” Stephenson said. “You can get away and unplug from everything.”
