BAILEY ISLAND, HARPSWELL – This small coastal town (year-round population of about 6,000) is fairly well known for its low tax rate, and very well known for its seaside location and sweeping vistas. Harpswell has 200 miles of waterfront, as realtor Rob Williams notes, but those miles vary in nature – deep water, tidal, etc.

About 2 percent (less than four miles) of the town’s frontage is of the “rarest and most sought-after” open-ocean variety, and a smaller percentage still enjoys very desirable southeast exposure. This property on Bailey Island provides both these would-love-to-haves. Here are 165 feet of rocky frontage on the Atlantic, and spectacular, shining-blue-water views due east out over Pond and Ragged islands (the latter was poet Edna St. Vincent Millay’s summer retreat); north to Cundy’s Harbor, Phippsburg and Small Point; and south along the island’s shoreline.

A further advantage is that this 1.6-acre property bows slightly out into the water, creating a true panorama of Maine coastal beauty.

The log-sided, seasonal cottage is a Maine coast classic, semi-rustic with its pine paneling and exposed rafters, and very comfortable.

A new, super-efficient Rinnai heater supplement heat from the stone, wood-burning fireplace at the opposite end of the living room, which has space for dining, too. Outside, the 16-foot-by-24-foot deck, with a fire pit nearby, extends the living areas.

At 954 square feet, the cottage feels more spacious than one might think. The kitchen is open to the living room, and shares its picture-window view. The three bedrooms, and their closets, are good-sized. The full bath is updated; roof shingles and septic are newer. Off the kitchen, in a bump-out, two little utility rooms serve for pantry and laundry.

Bailey Island is of course connected to the mainland by a bridge. This location is handy to all conveniences – shopping at Cook’s Corner is 15 minutes away, and small stores and fine restaurants are nearby – but secluded, tucked in a winding quarter-mile from U.S. Route 24. Abutting neighbors on either side are not close, and screened out of sight, so privacy is assured.

There are two outbuildings: an open wood/kayaks storage shed, and a newer garden shed.

The cottage at 48 Cedar Beach Road, Harpswell, is listed for sale at $790,000 by Rob Williams, of Rob Williams Real Estate. Annual taxes are $4,960. For more information or to arrange a viewing, please contact Rob at 833-5078 or at rob@baileyisland.com.

Produced by the Marketing Department of the Portland Press Herald, the Friday feature home is provided at no cost.

Photos by Melanie Sochan, staff photographer.

Send feature home suggestions to jrolfe@pressherald.com.