Family vacations can be filled with fun—but when the inevitable chaos ensues, having a private island home to escape to becomes less of a luxury and more of a vital necessity.
And that is exactly what you will find at a newly listed 21-acre lakefront compound in Maine. The $1.35 million list price includes multiple dwellings and a small island that is home to a lighthouse-inspired structure, ideal for anyone seeking solitude.
However, far from being cut off from the real world, the island actually offers the best of both worlds thanks to a dock that connects the residence to the rest of the Bowerbank, ME, compound, enabling easy access on foot.
“What makes the island house so incredible is that you don’t need a boat to get to it,” says listing agent Jennifer Banton, of The Maine Real Estate Experience. “You can just walk across the dock to get to the house.”
In essence, Sebec Lake, on which the island is located, serves as a moat around the compound’s main residence, offering natural seclusion where needed, without isolating the home.
The lake serves another important purpose: providing spectacular water views that can be enjoyed from almost every spot on the legacy compound, but are best taken in from the petite Phoebe Island.
“It’s just so picturesque that it should be a calendar,” Banton says.
The sprawling compound encompasses four parcels of land and includes three newly built cabins and two private ponds, in addition to the main residence.
The property has been on and off the market over the years, at prices ranging from $379,000 in 2018 to $899,000 in 2021. Now, it’s listed even higher, at $1.35 million.
While it is currently being used as a family compound, the property’s unique layout means that it could easily be transformed into a luxury retreat or an income-generating rental.
“It’s a pretty incredible property as it is, but there are several other potential uses for it,” Banton adds. “With all of the cabins, the property could be used as a campground as well. I think it would be a good place to retire and just enjoy the views.”
If a buyer does wish to turn the estate into a renter-friendly vacation spot, Banton says, a few upgrades will likely be needed, particularly in the main residence.
The sellers “have always used it seasonally, but it could be converted into a year-round home with some modifications,” Banton explains.
“Heating in the island house right now is by wood stove. A few of the cabins have already been updated, and the rest will be done by the end of November. The property also has a year-round water supply that was installed last year.”
Built in 1930, the historic estate features many period details. Meanwhile, the outlying cabins boast wood-paneled walls, floors, and ceilings. They also have modern appliances and custom cabinetry in the kitchen.
One offers a screened porch along with a covered deck. Another has a loft-inspired interior with one bedroom found on the main level.
Some cabins were designed for larger parties and offer spacious bedrooms that can accommodate multiple beds.
In addition, there are two garages, two sheds, storage buildings, five septic systems, and a boat dock with “full docking equipment.” The property is also surrounded by wooded trails, meadows, and abundant wildlife.
“It is also zoned for expansion and has a capacity of up to 17 dwellings, so it would be ideal to use not only as a family compound but also a rental community,” Banton notes.
