It’s that time of year when many Mainers start heading “upta camp” for weekend getaways or longer vacations at a lakeside cottage or cabin.
Some count themselves lucky to own a camp, including inherited properties built decades ago. Others rent to avoid the year-round responsibility and cost of caring for a second home.
Still others have been locked out of a vacation home market where rustic, more affordable camps are disappearing. Many have been extensively renovated or torn down and replaced with high-priced, year-round homes. Online listings show plenty of modern lakeside mansions that cost well over $1 million, targeting wealthier Mainers and buyers “from away.”
But some bargains remain, including remote fixer-uppers for less than $200,000 that beg for significant sweat equity. Like all real estate, location matters and properties cost more if they’re updated, easily accessible and close — but not too close — to desirable amenities.
Here are three Maine camps listed for less than $400,000:
Log cabin among tall pines on Pequawket Pond
Location: Brownfield, Oxford County
Listing price: $399,900
Year built: 1990
Size: 900 square feet
Price per square foot: $444
Taxes: $3,778 per year
Located near Fryeburg on Maine’s western border, this log cabin has a large screened porch, sun deck and separate screened gazebo overlooking 40 feet of frontage on Pequawket Pond. The open-concept living area features a cathedral ceiling and propane fireplace. Appliances include a gas stove, refrigerator, dishwasher, clothes washer and dryer. Sleeping options include one bedroom, loft, bunkhouse and Catalina camper-trailer that goes with the property. Outbuildings on the 1.2-acre lot include a boat house and tool shed. Partial basement and hot-air heat provide four-season proximity to area recreation.
Contact: Nubi Duncan, Badger Peabody & Smith Realty, (603) 662-5505
Updated 2-story cottage on Lower Springy Pond
Location: Otis, Hancock County
Listing price: $389,000
Year built: 1960
Size: 1,610 square feet
Price per square foot: $242
Taxes: $2,044 per year, plus $250 annual home owner’s association fee
This property has been carefully updated to preserve classic camp characteristics. The kitchen features new cabinets, countertops and modern appliances. Other improvements include new windows and fresh paint throughout, updated plumbing and new septic system, heat pump, metal roof, flooring and washer-dryer hookup. Sitting on .36 acres with 69 feet of frontage on Lower Springy Pond, it has a strong short-term rental history. Seller is open to negotiate drilling a well to replace the lake-drawn water system. Located between Bangor and Ellsworth, it’s near Bar Harbor, Acadia National Park and other Down East attractions.
Contact: Tashia Porter, 207-664-8834
Classic camp in North Pond condo community
Location: Smithfield, Somerset County
Listing price: $178,000
Year built: 1900
Size: 540 square feet
Price per square foot: $330
Taxes: $2,333 per year, plus $83 monthly homeowner’s association fee
This historic property is one of more than 20 rental cabins formerly known as Sunset Camps that were built on North Pond in the early 1900s. It’s in the Belgrade Lakes region, between Waterville and Farmington. Now known as Sunset Cottages, they were converted to condos in 2018 and share 785 feet of lake frontage, including a sandy beach. Combining rustic camp charm with modern comforts, this unit has an open kitchen-living room, cathedral ceiling with sleeping loft, screened porch, heat pump and on-demand water heater. Waterfront access includes a private dock for boating, fishing and other recreation.
Contact: Elizabeth Boulter, Portside Real Estate Group, 207-557-4638
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