Working on your gift list? This year, give the gift of a spectacular property. In our annual LandVest Holiday Gift Guide series, we share homes that’ll be perfect for you, your family, and your friends! Follow along in this multi-part series.
Whether you’re looking for a property in a particular setting or one where you can host friends and family, you’ll find what you’re looking for below.
For the Ocean Lover
Seahome is a one-of-a-kind treasure sitting on a private peninsula in Manchester-by-the-Sea. Beautiful water views and a coastal lifestyle can be enjoyed in the original mansion and water’s edge teahouse. On Cape Cod, The Beach House is a refuge from the cares of the world – thanks in part to the extensive adjacent protected land and beach frontage. Panoramic views of Henry Cove, Inner Winter Harbor, and Schoodic Peninsula are all on offer at Harbor Watch, a waterfront family compound including a main house and 3 additional residences.
Beauty inside and out: The View on Mount Desert Island is an extraordinarily designed five-bedroom home overlooking Norwood Cove. Moose Cove is a 41-acre property set on Maine’s sought-after Bold Coast, renowned for its incredible ocean vistas, marine wildlife, and picturesque working harbors. On the west coast of Isle au Haut, Crescent Beach offers 45 acres, including 1,500 feet of ocean frontage. Elevated building sites ensure views of Camden Hills, the lighthouse, the Thorofare on Penobscot Bay, and the open ocean.
For Outdoor Entertainers
When surrounded by such a gorgeous setting, you’ll want to spend as much time outside as possible. Perched on the rocky coastline, Maine’s Stonescape includes extensive porches, decks, and balconies with stunning views, but the outdoor highlight is the stone-paved terrace with hot tub, grill, and outdoor pizza oven. Rockport Harbor Views includes not one, but three, well-integrated exterior decks, each on a different level. Gather around a firepit to enjoy views over this picturesque Maine village and its harbor. Wheeler Bay’s family room connects to a deck overlooking the water and a wonderful, screened porch. Just steps away from the house is a water’s edge entertaining area with a sand and pebble beach, perfect for hosting summer lobster bakes.
In Woodstock, Vermont, Three Church Street is sited by the Ottauquechee River and includes a large porch and stone patio with a firepit – there’s also an in-ground heated pool at this exceptional village retreat.
For the Lake Goers
With 700 feet of shoreline on Lake Champlain’s Town Farm Bay, Cedar Farm is the perfect Vermont lake house. The lovingly updated main house was built in 1793 and is surrounded by rolling lawns, meadows, fruit trees, and gardens. Along the shores of Maine’s spring-fed Craig Pond sits Flying Moose Lodge, which operated as a popular sleepaway camp for decades. The 64-acre property includes two seasonal cottages, the historic lodge, multiple additional buildings, and a seasonal dock. Also on Craig Pond is a classic shingle-style Maine lake house, Craigmere. Both these properties share a remote setting close to trails and countless amenities and attractions.
Bear Pond is a chance to own your own 7-acre pond plus the surrounding 295 acres of Maine woods. Both Bear Pond and Hatcase Pond, a 3.7 acre waterfront property in Maine’s north woods, present opportunities to create your own waterfront retreat.
For the Islanders
When island life is calling, these are the properties to turn to! Minawetu is one of New England’s most breathtaking properties. On Martha’s Vineyard’s North Shore, this beachfront estate features exceptional design, distinctive features, and green technologies. Stunning sunsets and dramatic storms are both on view at Gosnold’s Broadway Ocean Views, this turnkey winterized home is the perfect retreat all year round.
There’s nothing quite like the beauty and drama of a Maine island though. Bluff Point is a spectacular Islesboro estate on a 37-acre peninsula. To get to the Arts & Crafts main residence, you’ll travel along a winding driveway passing forest, open meadow, and blueberry fields. Starboard Rock on Vinalhaven offers stunning views towards East Penobscot Bay from the Mid-Century Modern home. The property even includes a small private island – just a stone’s throw from the house.
One of Isle au Haut’s most iconic sites is its lighthouse – which neighbors the Keeper’s House. This unique property is like stepping into a postcard. To get to Fish Point on Great Cranberry Island, travel by private boat and take in the panoramic views of ocean, mountains, and islands during the journey. Also on Isle au Haut, Harborside’s commanding Queen Anne Victorian home is often described with one word: magical.
For those needing extra space
When you live in a beautiful home, you want to find a way to share it. These properties make that possible, either short or long term. Star Hill Farm is a Vermont property that needs to be seen to be believed. The main residence includes a guest wing with three first-floor bedrooms, a second-floor game room and adjacent 8-bed bunk room. Three wonderful Martha’s Vineyard properties, totaling over 20 acres, are all on offer at 12, 18 & 28 Hillbrook Lane. In addition to the main 4-bedroom home, there’s a one-bed guest cottage, and restored 3-bed Cape.
Just outside Massachusetts’ Lexington Center, 85 & 87 Hancock Street includes both a 6-bed shingle-style house and the property’s original 3-bedroom house. There is plenty of space for family and friends at Seaside Farm. Not only does the renovated farmhouse include six comfortable bedrooms with views of the property to the water, there is also a spacious three-bedroom guest house, a glamorous yurt with a full bath, and a cottage with a whimsical sleeping loft.
Invite guests into the 2-bedroom guest house at Cooper Hill, a modernist residence in Southern Vermont. Anyone looking for a light, bright, and inviting atmosphere will feel right at home. Above the two-car garage at Maine’s Bracken Cottage is a large, seasonal guest cottage with full bath and efficiency kitchen.
Need something else for someone on your list? Look back at Part 1 and Part2 of our Holiday Gift Guide series!
