Winterguide 2014 | View this story as .pdf

These five cute waterfront cottages really hit the spot–below $250K.

By Gretchen Miller

876 Five islands Road, Georgetown, $248,000

You feel like you’re on a river, but then you see a lobster boat. That’s the sheltered beauty of this tiny home directly at the edge of Robin Hood Cove, an exquisite destination with views of Robin Hood Marina. “It’s affectionately called the doll house,” says realtor David Flaherty of Flaherty Realty.  “[In 2004], the owner built on the footprint of an existing structure,” dreaming of “something creative.” The cottage has a fanciful collection of windows and doors, a sweet old gas cookstove, and pine floors. Enjoy the utter peace and privacy when “you’re looking straight up that bay.” Taxes are $761.

103 Fickett’s Point Road, Milbridge $189,500

Head to the heart of the nation’s leading source of wild blueberries–90 million pounds were harvested in Washington County in 2013. To find this three-bedroom/two-bath,1870s farmhouse, take Route 1A out of Milbridge Village, drive over the bridge, take your first right onto Bayview Road, and then down Fickett’s Point Road for two miles.

This “classic New England-style farmhouse [has] a porch as well as a two-car garage. It’s a beautiful piece of ground, with both wooded and open land that rolls right down to the water’s edge,” says George West of Drop Anchor Realty. It sits on four rolling acres of former blueberry barrens with 190 feet of water frontage. You can pick and eat a lot of wild berries every August while soaking in the view of the harbor and village. In winter, cozy up to the fireplace and enjoy the light the flames cast on the pine floors and ornate woodwork around the windows and doors. Taxes are $2,201.

24 West Main Street, Jonesport $189,500

Drive downeast on Route 1 and take a right on Route 187 into Jonesport. As Lila Holmes of Eastland Realty describes, here awaits “a nice little house on the beach. You’re right close to the water. An absolutely gorgeous location with breathtaking views of Mooseabec Reach.” An added perk to this beachfront home is a barn with electricity, which could be used as a workshop, studio, or storage. Taxes are $2,107.

2 Port Street, Jonesport  $175,000

“Singer/actor Gene Autry is rumored to have stayed here while performing at the music theater next door,” says realtor Holly Iossa of Paul T. Iossa Real Estate. To channel the sleeping cowboy, follow Route 1 through Columbia Falls. Take a right at the giant blueberry onto Route 187. Turn in at the IGA which was once the legendary Jonesport Opera House, and at various times in the last century “a dance hall, movie theater, boxing arena, and roller-skating rink,” says Donald Woodward of the Jonesport Historical Society. There you’ll find this property tucked in along the water near the back of the parking lot. “The house belonged to my aunt and uncle Maude and Sherm Woodward, and it served as an informal guest house for performers.”

“It’s right in the village,” where the harbor puts on its show, “but you can’t see it from the road,” says Paul Iossa. The highlight of this four-bedroom/one-bath charmer is its 99 feet of waterfront with stunning views of Beals Island and Perio Point, where the town sets off its 4th of July fireworks and lights up a lobster trap Christmas tree. The view from the back deck also offers a front-row seat to the annual World’s Fastest Lobster Boat Race. One more bonus: a 2-bedroom guest cottage is included in the listing price. Taxes are $2,527.

219 Water St., Eastport $183,900

“Fantastic views with a great location in a  coastal fishing village,” says Billy Howard of Due East Real Estate. Follow Route 1 up to the Canadian border, and turn right on Route 190 into Eastport. There you will find a dear, three-bedroom/one-bath, cedar-shingled farmhouse, built in 1900. Sit on the small porch and drink in jaw-dropping views of Campobello, Deer, and Cherry islands. Then sink your toes into the lush lawn on your way down to the ocean and a rare patch of sandy beach. “The house needs a bit of work–it’s solid, but older and dated, in need of some TLC. But there’s not many pieces left on the water at this price.” Taxes are $2,006.