$758,933Average Value$440Average Price per Sq Ft3Homes For Sale
The rock formations along Willard Beach is the perfect view point to look out into the cove.
Walkability in a friendly beachside community
About 3 miles from Downtown Portland, Willard is South Portland’s beach neighborhood. With old homes and a little beach, it’s the kind of residential area where the small side streets are so quiet that residents can safely stroll on them, even if there’s no sidewalk. “It is one of the most walkable neighborhoods in the Greater Portland area. Everybody knows their neighbors, and there are lots of people walking around,” says Jason Bisson, the broker and owner of Cottage & Co. Real Estate as well as a Willard resident who has lived there for 14 years. “It’s very safe. I have three kids and they’re out in the neighborhood riding their bikes and walking around during the day and at night, and that’s not something we ever even have to think about.” A lot of beach towns are seasonal, but according to April Cohen, a South Portland native and head of The April Cohen Team with Duston Leddy Real Estate, about 85% of Willard’s population lives there year-round.
Locals of South Portland fill up Willard Beach on the hot summer days.
Swimming and kayaking at Willard Beach
The 4-acre Willard Beach is treasured by locals as a great spot to swim, walk, sunbathe, kayak, watch the sunset or relax as ferry boats and lobstermen go by. “I think it’s pretty important for a lot of the people that live here to be able to walk to the beach or walk their dogs on the beach,” Bisson says, adding that although it’s small and isn’t used for surfing, it’s the nicest beach so close to Portland. “I throw my paddleboard in right there at Willard Beach and I can paddle around the Casco Bay Islands. And people have their sailboats moored in the bay right at Willard.” The beach gets especially crowded during the summer, and multiple marinas are within walking distance or a short drive from Willard. On its south side, stairs lead to Fisherman’s Point Park and its view of the Portland Head Lighthouse. Willard also has its own little lighthouse, the Spring Point Ledge Lighthouse, which was built in 1897 and is open year-round, though inaccessible for most disabled people with mobility aids. Just a short drive away is Bug Light Park, home of another small, Greek-style lighthouse built in 1875 with sweeping views of downtown Portland. Its boat ramp and green space make it ideal for boating, saltwater fishing, kite flying and picnics.
Competition for Willard’s homes
Willard’s homes often date back to 1950 or earlier and are often bungalows, Cape Cods and American Foursquares that lack the style’s almost trademark dormer in the center of the roof. According to Bisson, the Foursquares can be particularly old, nearing around 100 years of age. “They have a lot of character and people tend to like a lot of the designs,” Bisson says. Homes in Willard start at $400,000 for a small two-bedroom home, but they can climb to around $1 million — especially closer to the water. The median cost of a single-family home in the neighborhood falls at $755,500. Although Bisson says that the housing market in much of Maine has started to slow down, Willard’s traditionally popular market means that it hasn’t slowed — and inventory remains low. “The majority of homes are selling with multiple offers and still over asking,” Bisson says.
Homes with large covered porches are found near the beach in Willard.
Homes with beautiful mansard roofs are one of many interesting houses found in Willard.
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Scratch Baking Co’s bagels and sweets
Willard’s walkability is a major plus for many locals. “You’re walking to Willard Beach, you’re walking to Willard Square, which gets you Scratch Bakery, it gets you ice cream, you can walk to banks and the hardware store,” Bisson says. “In Maine, there’s not too many neighborhoods like that, so think that’s right up there as one of the biggest draws.” Inside a cute little New England home is Scratch Baking Co., a neighborhood bakery beloved by locals. There, they pick up bread and bagels, cookies and seasonal sweets like Guinness brownies around St. Patrick’s Day. Nearby, the seasonal Willard Scoops’ ice cream and hot fudge are both made in-house. Residents head to local restaurants like Elsmere BBQ & Wood Grill for brisket and cornbread and drive a few blocks to the nearby Ferry Village to catch a show at one of its two performing arts theaters as part of a fun night out. Ferry Village Market also offers a few nearby essentials, but otherwise residents make a short drive of just over a mile to Hannaford Supermarket or Shaw’s when they need groceries.
Locals of Willard can choose from a wide array of hand made baked goods at Scratch Baking Co.
At Scratch Baking Co. fresh ham and cheese baguettes are must have for lunch in Willard.
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Niche gives South Portland schools a B-minus
Local children can attend Dora L. Small Elementary School, which has an A-minus and is within walking distance of many homes, before moving to South Portland Middle School. Newly constructed and opened in the fall of 2023 to combine the district’s previous two middle schools, it’s too new to have an official Niche rating. From there, they attend South Portland High School, which has a B-minus on Niche and a student-to-teacher ratio of 13 to 1. Southern Maine Community College is just outside the neighborhood.
Dora L. Small Elementary School serves young students throughout Willard.
South Portland High School located on the corner of Highland Ave and Mountain View Road.
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The Spring Point Shoreway near Willard is located on the historic Fort Preble.
Easy commutes despite no major highways
Preble Street winds through the heart of Willard while Cottage Road and Broadway serve as two bigger roads along its edges. There are no major highways in Willard, but residents can cross the Casco Bay Bridge to reach Downtown Portland in about 10 minutes. Maine Medical Center is 3.5 miles away and the Portland International Jetport is just under 7 miles away.
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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On average, homes in Willard, South Portland sell after 19 days on the market compared to the national average of 52 days. The median sale price for homes in Willard, South Portland over the last 12 months is $720,500, up 1% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
2005 built, fully dormered, 3 bed/3bath cape style home walking distance to Willard Beach and square, Ferry Village, mill creek shops, local parks and the greenbelt pathway. Features include a 3- or 4-bedroom layout, cherry kitchen, primary suite with full bath and walk-in closet, hardwood flooring on the 1st floor, lots of natural light, finished basement perfect for 4th bedroom/gym/office/guest
Introducing a thoughtfully designed 20-unit luxury condominium community nestled in the sought-after Willard Beach area of South Portland. Each residence offers approximately 2,350 square feet of refined living space across three levels. This unit does not have an elevator. The second floor features an elegant open-concept layout that includes the living room, kitchen, dining area, a separate
Introducing a thoughtfully designed 20-unit luxury condominium community nestled in the sought-after Willard Beach area of South Portland. Each residence offers approximately 2,350 square feet of refined living space across three levels, with a private elevator for enhanced convenience. The second floor features an elegant open-concept layout that includes the living room, kitchen, dining area, a
Portland Maine apartments dont get better, more convenient, and more tailored to your needs and wishes for a dream home than the ones at Summit Terrace Apartments. All the features of our apartments are carefully thought out to create a home you can transition easily into and be proud of, all year long.We make choosing a floor plan easy and efficient: our two-bedroom floor plans come with
$3,200/month, plus utilities. Private parking included.Available Oct 15th or Nov 1st. 1 year lease preferred.Bright, sunny 2 bed, 1 bath condo right in the heart of Willard Square! Upon entrance, you will be greeted with an open living space, high ceilings, hardwood floors, and a renovated kitchen. Pet friendly. W/D in unit. Private/off-street parking. Private deck off of main
Cozy Beachside Rental perfect for a Single Professional. All utilities included (WiFi, heat/AC, electric & water.)Enjoy the best of both worlds in this charming, fully furnished, new-construction home just a 5-minute walk to Willard Beach and a 10-minute drive to downtown Portland.Located in a peaceful beachside community, this move-in-ready rental offers comfort, convenience, and modern
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Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
