22 Washington School RoadVinalhaven, ME 04863Price: $409,000

Tucked off the street in the village, this renovated and very well-maintained cottage, built c. 1900, has views of Carver's Pond and is an easy walk to Main Street, Lawson's swimming quarry, and the ferry. Thoughtfully tended by its owners, the cottage has been refreshed and improved in ways that make it ready to walk into and enjoy from the start. The open-concept first floor includes kitchen, dining, and living areas, all oriented to the water. Light walls, hardwood floors, updated lighting, window shades, and abundant natural light give the space a simple, airy island feel, with a convenient half bath. Upstairs, the spacious bedroom has gabled eaves, water views, room for additional beds, and a full bath with laundry. Outside, a newly built outdoor shower is a fun way to start or end your day. The deck overlooking the water is a favorite spot for morning coffee and solitude, as well as for more social summer afternoons with friends and family. Thoughtful plantings add to the sense of an established, well-tended setting. The .17-acre lot offers potential, subject to permitting, for a first-floor bedroom or separate outbuilding. The home is ideal for 3-season use and has insulated walls, direct-vent heat and a chimney with a thimble on both floors for a gas or wood stove. Offered turnkey, most furnishings convey including slipcovered chairs, pull-out sofa, beds, and other furnishings. Artwork and family heirlooms are excluded. With its recent improvements, careful maintenance, and furnishings already in place, this is a home that asks very little of its next owner. An easy getaway for a couple, it also makes a wonderful guesthouse for owners of summer homes or a rental investment until you are ready to spend more time here. Sweet, welcoming, and wonderfully situated, this is the kind of island home that invites you to settle in, slow down, and make the most of summer.