Maine Waterfront Real Estate A Guide to Maine's Oceanfront, Lakes and Rivers  Thank you for your interest in Waterfront Real Estate in Maine. To assist you in identifying potential areas of interest within Maine, we have separated the information by Lake Front and Ocean Front . Click the appropriate icon below and you will find detailed information to help you in your property search. Included you will find comprehensive area maps for all sections of the Maine coast and lake regions, local overviews of Maine and links to more specific information. Maine Waterfront Maine Lake Maps Maine Coastal Maps             Coastal Maine   Lakes & Ponds   Rivers & Streams   Casco Bay Islands   Waterfront FAQ's   Real Estate   View Lake Maps   View Coastal Maps Maine is well known for its dramatic ocean scenery. West Quoddy Head is the easternmost piece of land in the contiguous 48 United States. Along the famous rock-bound coast of Maine are lighthouses, sandy beaches, quiet fishing villages and thousands of offshore islands, including the Isles of Shoals, which straddle the New Hampshire border. Jagged rocks and cliffs and thousands of bays and inlets add to the rugged beauty of Maine's coast. Just inland, by contrast, is the view of sparkling lakes, rushing rivers, green forests and towering mountains. This visual contrast of forested slopes sweeping down to the sea has been aptly summed up by American poet Edna St. Vincent Millay of Rockland and Camden, Maine in "Renascence": "All I could see from where I stood was three long mountains and a wood I turned and looked the other way and saw three islands and a bay" The coast of Maine, measured directly from one end to the other, is only 228 miles. So, many people are surprised to learn that Maine's shoreline (3,478 miles) is longer than California's (3,427 miles) and is only exceeded in length by 2 continental states, Florida (8,426 miles) and Louisiana (7,721 miles of mostly bayou country). Finding property along this vast expanse can be challenging, especially if you are interested in property in the state's most northern area. Most buyers, however, can concentrate their search in the Southern Maine, primarily in Cumberland and York Counties. Maine has 5,785 lakes, with many of them larger than 1 acre. They cover an area of 1,762 square miles! Nearly half of these are classified as "Great Ponds", meaning larger than 10 acres, a term that dates back to Maine's colonial days. These lakes not only provide an unmatched recreational resource for fishing, swimming, canoeing and camping but, more importantly, they provide quiet places of raw beauty where people can slow down the pace of their lives and listen to the haunting cry of a loon or watch Canadian geese glide in for a rest stop on their long journey. Maine Waterfront Real Estate Whether you are considering an ocean or lake front property, it is important to keep in mind that each property consists of two distinct parts - the building and the lot. While it's true that building materials and the cost of labor have been increasing the replacement cost of the house, it pales in comparison to the increase in the value of the lot over the same period. It's important for any waterfront property buyer to understand value. When considering waterfront locations, below are five primary attributes that give a property's location its value: Its All About the View: Having a nice wide water view is very important, especially if you intend to relax on your deck. Regarding lakes in particular, if a property is located on the eastern shore, you not only have sunset views, but also views of the western mountains.           Availability of a Sandy Beach: Enjoy the water with a sandy beach, especially if you enjoy swimming. If one can't have a sandy beach, sandy bottom frontage is the next best thing. Sandy beaches are rare, and that's what makes them so valuable and desirable.           The Importance of a Flat Lot: The flatter the lot, the better! It's easier to get to the water and enjoy the surrounding area. Homes that are on steep grades are difficult to navigate.           Privacy: Be aware of just how much water frontage area there is, which can express the amount of privacy. It's difficult to have much privacy with only 50 feet of frontage. The typical waterfront lot is a half acre in size with 100 feet of water frontage.           Proximity to the Water: Years ago, homes could be built close to the water. It provides a better view and easy access. Since 1990, however, all homes must be built at least 100 feet from the water.