OGUNQUIT – Last week, Travel & Leisure announced its “America’s Favorite Towns” top 25 for 2014, as voted by its readers. No. 2 of the 1,209 destination options was – Ogunquit, which is Abenaki for “beautiful place by the sea.”

The town so highly rated by visitors is of course cherished by its residents, and here is a perfect example of why. This 2,565-square-foot, classic 1962 ranch is within walking distance of Perkins Cove and the beach, and comes with 100 feet of sloping back yard on the little Josias River, where you can put in a kayak. It’s a home with a history, too – long owned by an accomplished musical family who entertained and performed, often with guests from the nearby Ogunquit Playhouse, in these spacious rooms.

Having been used only as a summer home for many years, the house is relatively lightly lived in, and its history extends to many original features: Among them are crystal chandeliers and wall sconces, floors of Southern yellow pine, cast-iron baseboards, and even a shuffleboard court in the huge basement.

Among the home’s advantages is floor-plan flexibility. The east wing of the house extends from the kitchen, through a long, formal dining room, into an elevated family room that faces south, enjoys wonderful light, and looks down to the river. Off the dining room is a 400-plus-square foot living room, with brick, wood-burning fireplace. A new owner will probably explore the options for opening up these spaces, adding a deck off the family room, and changing its doors to windows.

In the west wing are two large bedrooms, one with bath (one of four total) en suite. The full basement – semi-finished, and much of it daylight – adds about 1,800 square feet, not counting the utility room (where there’s storage, two oil tanks and a Weil-McLain boiler for eight-zone heat). The largest room has a bath (one of four total in the home) with shower at one end; the laundry, presently in the oversized, heated attached garage, could be moved here). Beneath the family room is a “garden” room, whose exposed brick includes a generous shelving area; next door is a bonus room.

The walkup, full attic provides endless storage, and could be dormered out to create additional finished living space.

The home is listed for sale by Cornelia Stockman of Better Homes & Gardens Real Estate/The Masiello Group, and is being shown by appointment. For more information or to arrange a private viewing, please contact Cornelia at 467-4600, 468-4586, or at cstockman@masiello.com.

Produced by the Marketing Department of the Maine Sunday Telegram, the Home of the Week is provided at no cost. Staff photos are by Derek Davis.

HOW suggestions: jrolfe@pressherald.com.

17 Josias Lane, Ogunquit

Price: $490,000
Built: 1962
Rooms/bedrooms: 6/2
Baths: Three, plus one 1/2
Square feet: 2,565
Garage: Direct entry
Lot size: 0.51 acre
Taxes: $4,309

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