$973,501Average Value$547Average Price per Sq Ft9Homes For Sale
Coastal Harpswell is shaped by fishing, islands and quiet coves
Life in Harpswell smells of sea salt, with inlets babbling and boats quietly humming along the shore. The eastern portion of the small Maine town of Harpswell is an enclave of islands, each with its own distinctive personality. The tight-knit Bailey Island convenes around the lobster industry and its general store, Orr’s Island has a special protected cove where the wind can’t get in, and Great Island is where you’ll find tons of lobstermen and old fishing weirs. “You drive down and you’ll see fishermen in fishing gear, and places to buy lobster and buy fish,” says Curt Fish, owner of Sharon Drake Real Estate in nearby Bath. “You have to go pretty far up the coast before you see lots of fishermen in one place.”
Harpswell offers a mix of year-round homes and summer retreats
Throughout the islands, houses range from multifamily properties for around $200,000 to shingle-style shorefront homes with deepwater docks for $3 million. There are 1970s bungalows for $330,000, ten-year-old contemporary ranch-style houses for $750,000, modern contemporary houses with board-and-batten exteriors for $400,000 and contemporary brick houses with cathedral ceilings for $1.6 million. Harpswell is a mostly year-round community, Fish says, but about 30% of residents are so-called “summer folk.”
Accessible hiking and picnic spots along Harpswell’s coastline
One of the highlights of these idyllic keys is Cliff Trail, a hiking area along Strawberry Creek in Great Island. The trail includes a 150-foot. cliff with breathtaking views of the Long Reach waterway. The creekside portion of the hike was updated in 2021 to include a smooth, wide path, accessible for people who either use mobility devices or have limited mobility. Devil’s Back Trail Area, named for a trail that runs along the “spine” of the devil’s back, goes through a mixed forest that includes a handful of apple trees. Taking the trail down to Gun Point Cove, hikers can climb out to the rocks for a picnic during low tide.
Long Cove offers calm waters and shelter from coastal storms
Orr’s Island and Bailey Island are vibrant communities with a Nantucket or Martha’s Vineyard sort of vibe, Fish says. Here, residential areas closely packed with cottages are close to a handful of beaches and conservation areas, like the rocky Houghton Graves Park. There are also plenty of places in Harpswell where folks can go kayaking or learn how to sail. “You really feel like you’re out in open ocean,” Fish says. “You can always smell salt water, and you can always hear a boat going this way or out.” Tucked away at the northern tip of Orr’s Island is Long Cove, a secluded, dead-quiet waterway. Because it opens to the north, the wind can’t get inside, and as a result, the water here is warm. Neighbors can come here to get a reprieve from the otherwise windy Keys or to escape during a hurricane.
Maine SAD 75 includes Harpswell and nearby rural towns
Harpswell is part of Maine School Administrative District 75, which has about 2,400 students between the towns of Bowdoinham, Harpswell, Bowdoin and Topsham. About 125 children in kindergarten through fifth grade attend Harpswell Community School.
Lobster rolls and pizza served at the general store
When it’s time to eat, Bailey Island General Store has a mix of convenience items plus freshly made pizza and lobster rolls. Right next to the historic Cribstone Bridge connecting Bailey and Orr’s is Cook’s Lobster & Ale House. Customers can have a whole lobster here, or in stew form, packed into a grilled cheese or fried into wontons. They can also order it submerged in a big bowl of macaroni and cheese.
Easy access to Route 1 and I-295 for trips to Portland
Even though these are islands, getting to the highway is not terribly inconvenient. It’s a short drive to U.S. Route 1 and Interstate 295, which will take drivers to Portland and its international jetport.
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
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Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
Harpswell
US
Homicide
3
4
Sexual Assault
1
4
Assault with Weapon
1
4
Robbery
1
4
Burglary
2
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
2
4
Larceny
1
4
Crime Score
1
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Harpswell Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Harpswell, ME sell after 38 days on the market compared to the national average of 56 days. The median sale price for homes in Harpswell, ME over the last 12 months is $839,000, down 1% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Perched high on Summer Hill, Bailey Island, This home feels like a world of its own. The neighborhood is peaceful and tucked away, where the only soundtrack is the breeze and the audible rhythm of the surf. From here, you can wander down to any number of nearby beach access points, explore rocky tide pools at low water, pebbled beaches, or head out along quiet paths that wind the nearby
Set in the postcard-perfect fishing village of Cundys Harbor, this classic 3-bedroom, 2-bath New Englander captures the essence of Maine's working waterfront. Here, the views aren't staged--they're alive with lobster boats heading out at first light, the steady rhythm of the tide, and the kind of harbor scene that never gets old.From your backyard, step directly to the water's edge where a
Twin Vistas, Set just over the iconic Cribstone Bridge, this classic coastal Cape captures the very best of life on Bailey Island. With both sunrise and sunset ocean views, the setting alone is enough to slow you down and make you stay awhile. You'll love the high end finishes like hardwood floors, a gas fireplace, even both high-gloss painted plank and tin ceilings. This island home blends
The town of Harpswell has the longest coastline of any in Maine—216 miles of long, jagged edge that form the shape of three fingers This 1.54-acre parcel located on Quahog Bay, land, offers a unique opportunity with 40 feet of shared deeded oceanfront access. A recent soil test has been completed, streamlining the process for initiating construction on this picturesque property. Situated in the
Direct waterfront Condo located on the Maine Coast on Orrs Island, Harpswell, Maine. The five unit condo complex was built in 2014. Enjoy unparalleled, natural, and beautiful ocean views from every window. The residence consists of two bedrooms, en suite, living and dining areas, and a very efficient kitchen area with stainless appliances and granite countertops. Amenities include a common dock,
Dennis DugganLegacy Properties Sotheby's International Realty
Come and build your home or cottage getaway on this surveyed 0.58 acre building site, nestled in a quiet, dead-end neighborhood, with deeded access to the tidal waterfrontage of the New Meadows River. The septic system, including the tank, is already in place and the driveway access has been mostly cleared. Laurel Shore Road is maintained by an association. Just a quick drive to the village of
A truly exceptional Maine Coastal Residence. Nestled on a private 1.92 acre peninsula, this Post and Beam masterpiece offers unparalleled luxury and tranquility. With 913 feet of pristine waterfront, including your own deep water dock and float, this multi level residence boasts over 6,000 square feet of living space, featuring six bedrooms and four bathrooms. Master suite is on the main level.
Dennis DugganLegacy Properties Sotheby's International Realty
Opportunities like this on Quahog Bay don't come around often. This charming 2-bedroom seasonal cottage sits on .43 acres with 165 feet of deep water frontage, a private dock, and a deep water mooring -- offering direct access to the open ocean and everything the bay has to offer. Quahog Bay is truly special -- known for its calm waters, island-dotted views, and incredible access to the open
Panoramic, elevated southeasterly views of wooded surroundings and open ocean in the distance is this 3 bedroom/2.5 bathroom Chalet style home. Located on 2.98 acres in a quiet rural setting, with mature landscaping and various cosmetic and mechanical updates. The home has been recently refreshed with new carpet and paint, creating a clean, cohesive interior. The cathedral-ceiling living room has
Welcome to Orrs Island! This lot is what dreams are made of. Cleared and prepped for TWO different building sites-choose your favorite, or build a compound immersed in all the best parts of Maine. This property has roughly 300' of private, old growth, waterfront in a long, secretive bay. It also has deeded access to the western side of the island (and two public paths for neighborhood residents)
Experience breathtaking, expansive oceanfront views from this exceptional home on Bailey Island, set along Maine's iconic rocky coastline. Featuring custom finishes throughout, this year-round residence is designed for effortless, maintenance-free living. Take in the sights and sounds of crashing waves against rugged granite ledges, salty sea breezes, and ever-changing Atlantic vistas right from
Located in the breathtaking coastal town of Harpswell, Maine, this 5-bedroom, 3-bathroom Cape-style home offers 1,817 square feet of living space. This property is situated on a private 4.31-acre wooded lot, providing massive upside in an area defined by its proximity to the water and nature. With four times the average land size for the area, the expansive acreage represents a rare find in a
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