$923,418Average Value$410Average Price per Sq Ft3Homes For Sale
A Harpswell peninsula anchored by Brunswick
Deep in the heart of Maine’s lobster country, the granite coasts of Harpswell Neck have a distinct fishing-village feel. Boats circle the coves, trawl lines extend from the docks of private properties, and buoys bob up and down on the water’s surface. The town comprises numerous peninsulas, jutting out from the mainland and into the Casco Bay. “When you buy into a place like Harpswell, you’re really buying into two communities: the one you’re living in and the anchor town,” says Broker/Owner Bruce Davis of both Homes & Harbors Real Estate and Engel & Volkers Casco Bay. Davis has 30 years of professional experience in the area and concludes, “Brunswick is a great asset to Harpswell as an anchor town because it provides larger restaurants, entertainment and cultural events, a lot of which is made possible by the college.” Just minutes from all the activity that Bowdoin College brings to Brunswick, Harpswell Neck offers a quieter haven of open fields, country roads and nature trails, backdropped by bay views.
Home prices rise with bay access
Residential streets branch off from Harpswell Neck Road. Some are more densely packed than others, allowing the buyer to choose between active and more private communities. Some homes sit on lots large enough to give an illusion of complete seclusion, where next door neighbors feel miles away. Other houses are grouped in clusters near the water with shared docks. A mix of temporary and year-round residents populate Harpswell Neck. “It’s a great place for retirement, summer homes and second homes, but it’s less seasonal than you might think,” Davis says.
Architecture ranges from small cottages and Capes to 19th- and 20th-century farmhouses. Modern builds with luxury amenities have also been constructed in the past decade. One-to-two-bedroom homes farther inland typically sell between $250,000 to $400,000. Prices rise with proximity to water, so a two-to-three-bedroom home on the coast can reach $600,000 to $800,000. The largest houses with expansive lots, private beaches and docks start at $900,000 and surpass $3 million. “Prices have almost doubled since the pandemic, and growth continues to be strong,” Davis says. The community has a CAP Index Crime Score of 1 out of 10, significantly lower than the national average of 4.
Getting active on forested land and the brackish waters
Most outdoor recreation in Harpswell Neck centers around the water. The area has plenty of public boat launches and beach accesses, including Stover’s Point Preserve, a sandbar that wraps itself around a salt marsh. At the southern tip of Harpswell Neck, Potts Point Preserve comprises a compact outdoor space with tide pools, a rocky beach and panoramic views of Casco Bay. Visitors come for the crabs, oysters, shrimp and star fish and can learn about the variety of ecosystems that embrace the marshes. Boaters can dock at either The Dolphin Marina or the High Head Yacht Club. When it’s time to come to shore, hikers and cross-country skiers can head to the deep-wooded trails of Mitchell Field. This park also features beach access, a community garden and the Harpswell Bandstand by the Sea, which hosts a summer concert series.
Lobster dinners with a view and shopping in Brunswick
According to Davis, there are two main restaurants in Harpswell. The Dolphin Marina and Restaurant, on the very tip of Basin Point, operates between April and November. Customers come for the fresh seafood and for views of the boats combing through the bay. The area’s second notable restaurant is Cook’s Lobster & Ale House, open all year and accessible by boat or a drive across the Mountain Road bridge. The establishment started as a small take-out stand for lobster in 1955 and has contributed to Maine’s lobster legacy. “Commercial fishing is still the primary employer here,” Davis says. “There’s a large lobster fishery, so we get a lot at our docks for a good price.” While shoppers can pick up everyday essentials from Uncle Pete’s Community Market, the closest Hannaford, Shaw’s and Walmart are in Brunswick at Cook’s Corner.
Volunteer groups provide entertainment and support
Every July, folks come together to celebrate their proud lobstering heritage at the Harpswell Lobster Boat Races. This over-30-year-old event, which is part of the larger Maine Lobster Boat Races circuit, attracts boat builders, fishermen and fans that rally around a common cause: giving back to the community. Proceeds go to the Harpswell Santa Fund, which works to assist families in need of clothing, toys and food throughout the whole year. “We have an older demographic that dedicates their free time to community civic groups,” Davis says. Other organizations include the Harpswell Heritage Land Trust, which maintains outdoor spaces, and the Harpswell Aging at Home (HAH) committee, which assists with accommodating and insulating houses for those who can’t afford these renovations. HAH programs also include social events, meal delivery services and free rides to appointments.
Commuting inland for public grade schools and Bowdoin College
Kindergarten through fifth graders can start at Harpswell Community School before heading to Mt. Ararat Middle and High schools. All three earn B-minus grades on Niche and can be reached within 7 to 16 miles, depending on home address. Mt. Ararat Middle features the Orion Performing Arts Center, a 900-seat venue that’s the largest performing arts space in the region. Graduates who wish to continue their education can apply to Bowdoin College, a private, four-year university that scores an A-plus on Niche. The school has a 9% acceptance rate and ranks No. 5 on Niche’s list of Best Colleges for Global Studies in America.
Getting on and off the peninsula and navigating southern Maine
Harpswell Neck Road, also known as Maine State Route 123, serves as the peninsula’s main thoroughfare. The road leads to U.S. Route 1, which heads south toward Portland, about 35 miles away, and all the way north to Canada. Commuters can easily reach Interstate 295, which passes through Topsham. No buses stop throughout Harpswell, but the Downeaster Amtrak train takes off from Brunswick and makes daily trips into Boston. The Portland International Jetport, within about 40 miles, offers flights to 22 non-stop destinations.
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On average, homes in Harpswell Neck, Harpswell sell after 29 days on the market compared to the national average of 53 days. The median sale price for homes in Harpswell Neck, Harpswell over the last 12 months is $750,000, up 12% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
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