A tree-lined private island on Maine’s largest lake is on the market for $450,000, offering buyers a renovated cabin, waterfront views and plenty of privacy, but there’s one unusual catch.The roughly 0.1-acre island on Moosehead Lake was listed earlier this month. It features a one-bedroom, one-bathroom cabin renovated in 2022 and about 200 feet of waterfront, according to property listings.The home is surrounded by the lake and accessible from the mainland by boat or snowmobile, depending on the season. But despite its idyllic setting, the property does not have a conventional drinking-water.The property uses a lake-drawn water system, with water pumped directly from Moosehead Lake into the home’s plumbing. The water can be used for cooking and showering but is not considered safe for drinking, Realtor Nicole Hilton told the Daily Mail.The property also has no septic system, meaning the new owner will have to use a composting toilet and bring drinking water to the island.Despite those limitations, Hilton said the cabin could appeal to buyers looking for a low-maintenance second home. “I see a lot of people now looking for modern camps with no maintenance, and this doesn’t require much maintenance, because it’s all brand new,” Hilton said.“It pretty much is zero maintenance, so I think that is what a lot of people would like about it,” Hilton added.Inside the $450,000 houseInside, the cabin has an open-plan living area with warm wood finishes, large windows overlooking the lake and a stone accent wall centred around a wood-burning stove, according to the New York Post.The adjoining kitchen features wood cabinetry, open shelving, stainless-steel appliances and its own island. The bathroom has also been renovated, with a glass-enclosed walk-in shower, tiled walls and a pebble-stone floor inspired by the surrounding landscape.The cabin is insulated and has generator power, lake-drawn water and both Rinnai and wood heating. The property would likely appeal to a couple looking for a private waterfront second home rather than someone seeking a conventional full-time residence.The island offers views of Moosehead Lake’s blue-green waters and is near Lily Bay State Park, where visitors can moor boats and explore the surrounding area. Although the area attracts tourists during the summer, Hilton said the island itself remains relatively quiet.“It’s certainly quiet where it’s located,” Hilton told the Daily Mail. “The lake is 40 miles long, so it’s huge. You’re not going to see a ton of boating activity go by.”The closest town is Greenville, about a 20-minute drive from the mainland access point, where residents can shop for groceries and visit restaurants. The property is nearly three hours north of Portland, about 90 minutes from Bangor and roughly an hour from the Canadian border.The island’s location also means access requires some planning. The listing notes that a new dock will be needed for seasonal access.
