Acquiring 234 surveyed acres of contiguous Maine woodland featuring nearly 4,900 feet of owned stream frontage for $175,000—equating to $747.86 per acre—represents one of the most accessible entry points for large-tract land ownership in Northern New England. Located on Lot 10 Davis Brook Road in Amity, Maine (ZIP 04771, Orient regional submarket of Southern Aroostook County), this unimproved parcel combines extensive water frontage, an established roadside building pad, and year-round gravel road access.
Offered at $0.0172 per square foot of land and carrying annual property taxes of just $540 per year ($45.00 per month), the property offers a low-overhead footprint for an off-grid cabin, seasonal hunting basecamp, recreational retreat, or long-term land-banking asset. Situated just 20 minutes from East Grand Lake—one of Maine’s premier cold-water fisheries—the site features 4,870 linear feet of owned frontage on Davis Brook, a natural habitat for native brook trout.
This real estate analysis evaluates Lot 10 Davis Brook Road across its financial metrics, land topography, stream resources, off-grid infrastructure setup, comparative regional valuation, target buyer profiles, and essential due diligence steps.
Property Overview and Specification Summary
Establishing official listing disclosures, municipal records, and physical parameters provides the baseline for evaluating this Aroostook County parcel.
| Property Parameter | Official Listing Disclosures & Public Records |
|---|---|
| Property Identifier / Address | Lot 10 Davis Brook Road, Amity, ME 04771 |
| County / Regional Submarket | Aroostook County / Orient Regional Area |
| Current Asking Price | $175,000 |
| Date Listed on Market | July 15, 2026 |
| Total Surveyed Land Footprint | 234.00 Acres (10,193,040 Square Feet) |
| Price Per Acre | $747.86 per acre |
| Price Per Square Foot of Land | $0.0172 per sq. ft. (approx. 1.7 cents/sq. ft.) |
| Waterfront Ownership | 4,870 Feet of Owned Frontage on Davis Brook |
| Price Per Linear Foot of Waterfront | $35.93 per foot (assigning 100% purchase value to stream) |
| Road Frontage & Access Type | Davis Brook Road (Gravel; Year-Round Road Access) |
| Topography & Clearing | Level to Gently Rolling; Cleared Building Site at Road |
| Utility & Electrical Status | 100% Off-Grid (No Grid Electric Connection) |
| Wastewater & Water Needs | Private Septic System Needed; Private Water Well Needed |
| Zoning Classification | Rural |
| Annual Property Taxes | $540.00 per year ($45.00 per month / $2.31 per acre annually) |
| Homeowners Association (HOA) | None ($0.00) |
| Parcel Identification Number | lot10tax |
The Numbers and Detailed Price Analysis
Evaluating a 234-acre rural land parcel requires analyzing purchase price per unit area, tax carrying efficiency, and baseline land values within Aroostook County.
Per-Acre and Land Footprint Calculations
Offered at $175,000 across 234.00 surveyed acres, the baseline mathematical metrics calculate as follows:
- Price Per Acre: $175,000 ÷ 234.0 acres = $747.86 per acre
- Total Square Footage: 234.0 acres × 43,560 sq. ft. = 10,193,040 square feet
- Price Per Square Foot of Land: $175,000 ÷ 10,193,040 sq. ft. = $0.0172 per sq. ft.
- Waterfront Valuation Rate: $175,000 ÷ 4,870 linear feet = $35.93 per linear foot of stream frontage
In Southern Aroostook County, large contiguous timberland tracts lacking road frontage or utilities typically trade between $600 and $1,200 per acre, while smaller parcels with direct stream frontage or year-round road access often command $1,500 to $3,000+ per acre. An asking price of $747.86 per acre for a surveyed parcel featuring both year-round gravel access and nearly a mile of brook frontage positions this listing at a competitive valuation tier.
Tax Assessment Mechanics and Low Holding Overhead
Public tax records reveal an exceptionally low fixed carrying cost:
- Annual Property Tax Bill: $540.00 per year
- Monthly Property Tax Burden: $540 ÷ 12 months = $45.00 per month
- Annual Per-Acre Tax Carrying Cost: $540 ÷ 234.0 acres = $2.31 per acre annually
- Homeowners Association Dues: $0.00 per month
At $45.00 per month, fixed overhead is negligible. An investor, outdoorsman, or homestead builder can hold title to 234 acres indefinitely without facing significant monthly cash drain. The low tax rate reflects current rural land assessment structures in Amity, with additional tax reduction potential available if a buyer chooses to enroll portions of the woodland in Maine’s Tree Growth Tax Law program.
Land Topography, Stream Resources, and Recreational Footprint
The physical terrain and water features of Lot 10 define its recreational appeal and long-term utility.
Davis Brook Frontage (~4,870 Linear Feet)
The defining geographical asset of the parcel is its 4,870 feet of owned frontage on Davis Brook.
- Fishery Character: Davis Brook is a cold-water tributary supporting native brook trout. Having direct ownership of nearly a mile of stream bank allows anglers to fish privately from their own land.
- Shoreland Zoning Compliance: In Maine, land development along natural streams and waterbodies is subject to Mandatory Shoreland Zoning rules. Building construction, septic leach fields, and major vegetation clearing generally require a 75-foot to 250-foot setback from the normal high-water mark, protecting water quality while dictating cabin placement.
Site Topography and Cleared Building Pad
- Roadside Building Site: A small cleared pad along Davis Brook Road provides an immediate building envelope, eliminating heavy timber-clearing expenses for initial cabin construction or camper staging.
- Terrain & Forest Canopy: Listed as level to gently rolling, the terrain consists of private woodland. The mixed canopy offers ongoing firewood self-sufficiency, privacy buffers, and established wildlife habitat for white-tailed deer, moose, wild turkey, and ruffed grouse.
Proximity to East Grand Lake and Regional Recreation
Located roughly 20 minutes from East Grand Lake (a 16,000-acre lake bordering New Brunswick, Canada, famous for landlocked salmon and lake trout), the property sits in a major outdoor recreation hub. The lot offers direct access to rural ATV and snowmobile trail networks throughout Aroostook County.
Infrastructure and Off-Grid Utility Requirements
Lot 10 is a 100% unimproved, off-grid land footprint requiring independent utility planning.
- Year-Round Road Access: The lot fronts along Davis Brook Road, a maintained gravel road providing year-round vehicular access for standard passenger vehicles and equipment.
- Off-Grid Power Generation: Grid power lines do not extend to the site. Buyers must utilize off-grid power systems, such as a solar photovoltaic array paired with lithium battery storage, a standby generator, or a hybrid system.
- Water Supply System: No water well exists. Residential occupancy requires drilling a private bedrock well or installing a spring/cistern collection system compliant with state health codes.
- Wastewater Management: No septic system exists. Installing a cabin or seasonal home requires hiring a licensed site evaluator to perform a Soil Percolation Test (Form HHE-200) to design a permitted septic tank and drain field.
Comparative Value Analysis: Subject Property vs. Regional Alternatives
To evaluate whether $175,000 represents strong real estate value, consider how Lot 10 compares against alternative land configurations in Aroostook County:
| Parameter & Feature | Lot 10 Davis Brook Rd (Subject Property) | Raw Landlocked 100-Acre Tract | Small 10-Acre Grid-Tied Lot |
|---|---|---|---|
| Acquisition Price | $175,000 | $80,000 | $45,000 |
| Total Land Area | 234.00 Acres | 100.00 Acres | 10.00 Acres |
| Price Per Acre | $747.86 / acre | $800.00 / acre | $4,500.00 / acre |
| Water Frontage | 4,870 Feet (Davis Brook) | Zero Feet (Landlocked) | Zero Feet (Inland) |
| Road Access Type | Year-Round Gravel Road | Seasonal / Deeded Right-of-Way | Paved Town Road |
| Electrical Status | Off-Grid (Solar/Generator Needed) | Off-Grid | Grid Electric at Street |
| Annual Taxes | $540 / year ($45/mo) | $350 / year | $600 / year |
| Pre-Cleared Pad | Yes (Roadside Site Ready) | No (Raw Forest) | No (Uncleared) |
Comparative Takeaway
While smaller grid-tied parcels offer plug-and-play electrical drops, Lot 10 delivers 23.4 times more acreage and nearly a mile of trout stream frontage at a unit price ($747.86/acre) that leaves budget room for off-grid solar and septic installations.
Key Advantages and Potential Drawbacks
Key Advantages
- Low Per-Acre Price Basis: Offered at $747.86 per acre for 234 surveyed acres in Maine.
- Extensive Stream Frontage: 4,870 feet of owned frontage on Davis Brook, providing private brook trout fishing.
- Ultra-Low Holding Overhead: Annual property taxes total just $540 per year ($45/month) with zero HOA dues.
- Pre-Cleared Building Envelope: Features an established clearing along Davis Brook Road, reducing initial excavation costs.
- Year-Round Gravel Access: Frontage along Davis Brook Road ensures vehicle access across all four seasons.
- Proximity to Major Waterbodies: Situated 20 minutes from East Grand Lake’s public boat launches.
Potential Drawbacks and Limitations
- 100% Off-Grid Status: Requires complete off-grid power solutions (solar arrays, battery banks, generators).
- Private Utility Outlays Required: Requires capital for drilling a private water well and installing a permitted septic tank.
- Shoreland Setback Restrictions: Building near Davis Brook requires adherence to Maine Shoreland Zoning buffers.
- Distance from Major Urban Centers: Located in Amity (Orient region), major commercial amenities, big-box retail, and regional hospitals require a 30- to 40-minute drive to Houlton.
Target Buyer Profiles: Who Fits This Property Best?
| Buyer Profile | Compatibility Profile | Fit Assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Anglers, Hunters & Outdoorsmen | Buyers seeking a private 234-acre hunting/fishing retreat with direct brook trout stream access and ATV trail connectivity. | Ideal Fit |
| Off-Grid Homesteaders & Cabin Builders | Purchasers wanting year-round road access and a pre-cleared building pad to set up a solar-powered homestead or cabin. | Ideal Fit |
| Long-Term Land & Timber Speculators | Investors seeking to bank 234 acres at $747/acre with minimal $45/month carrying costs. | Ideal Fit |
| Suburban Turnkey Homebuilders | Buyers requiring municipal water, city sewer, and grid electricity drops at the street. | Unfavorable Fit |
Essential Buyer Due Diligence Checklist
Prospective purchasers should execute the following technical verification steps prior to closing:
- Review Boundary Survey Map: Examine the professional survey for Lot 10 to locate corner pins and verify boundary lines along Davis Brook Road and adjoining parcels.
- Perform Soil Percolation (Perc) Test: Hire a licensed Maine site evaluator to conduct test pits on the cleared roadside building pad to confirm soil suitability for a conventional septic system (Form HHE-200).
- Verify Shoreland Zoning Buffers: Consult with local municipal officials to map exact Shoreland Zoning setback lines along Davis Brook before siting permanent structures.
- Inspect Road Maintenance Status: Confirm year-round snowplowing arrangements and maintenance responsibilities along Davis Brook Road.
- Evaluate Timber Reserve: Conduct a forest inventory with a licensed Maine forester to evaluate timber maturity, species composition, and potential enrollment in the Maine Tree Growth Tax Program.
Final Verdict
Lot 10 Davis Brook Road in Amity, Maine, presents a compelling acreage opportunity. Offered at $175,000 ($747.86 per acre) for 234 surveyed acres, its primary strengths include its 4,870 feet of owned brook trout stream frontage, pre-cleared building pad, year-round gravel road access, and ultra-low $45/month property taxes.
The main trade-offs are its off-grid power requirement and the need to install a private well and septic system.
For outdoorsmen, off-grid builders, or land investors seeking a 234-acre Maine property with water frontage and low holding costs, Lot 10 is well worth an on-site walkthrough and thorough due diligence review.
Listed on Zillow