29.26 Acres

Turnkey Finger Lakes Retreat at Oak Ridge

Executive Summary: High-Yield Recreational Asset in Steuben County

 

 

In the modern real estate landscape, turnkey recreational properties that combine raw natural resources with strategic regional placement occupy an elite investment tier. Among these, medium-acreage tracts offering immediate timber equity, managed wildlife habitats, and direct boundaries with state-protected lands represent high-upside holdings for investors, sports enthusiasts, and vacation rental operators alike.

Welcome to an in-depth analysis of the Finger Lakes Retreat at Oak Ridge, a premier 29.26± acre contiguous compound situated in the town of Hammondsport within Steuben County, New York. Comprising four distinct tax parcels, this property offers a complete recreational setup ready for immediate use. Sold almost entirely furnished—including all interior furniture, appliances, outdoor gear, a paddleboat, and maintenance equipment—it eliminates the initial setup costs typically required when acquiring rural land.

+--------------------------------------------------------------------------+
|                            PROPERTY SNAPSHOT                             |
|                                                                          |
|  * Total Land Area: 29.26± Contiguous Acres (4 Distinct Tax Parcels)     |
|  * Primary Cabin Structure: 840 Sq. Ft. Vaulted Open-Concept Layout      |
|  * Outbuildings: 20'x16' Detached Garage & 24'x20' Outbuilding Pole Barn  |
|  * Water Features: Private ¼-Acre Stocked Fishing Pond & Natural Stream  |
|  * Public Land Boundary: ~250' Direct Frontage on Urbana State Forest    |
|  * Timber Infrastructure: High-Density Merchantable Red Oak Canopy       |
+--------------------------------------------------------------------------+

Positioned along Hare Road with direct access to nearly 2,700 acres of public wilderness and situated just minutes from the shores of Keuka Lake, this property combines off-grid privacy with access to regional tourism hubs.

Architectural & Interior Profile of the Cabin

Constructed in 2009, the primary residence consists of a rustic 840-square-foot site-built cabin engineered for low-maintenance efficiency and seasonal comfort. The interior layout uses a vaulted open-concept floor plan that maximizes usable living space and vertical storage.

                      [ COVERED FRONT PORCH OVERLOOK ]
                     Direct Views of Stocked ¼-Acre Pond
                                     |
                                     v
+--------------------------------------------------------------------------+
|                      840 SQ. FT. OPEN-CONCEPT CABIN                      |
|                                                                          |
|  +-----------------------+   +------------------------+   +--------------+  |
|  |     GROUND FLOOR      |   |      UPPER LOFT        |   | MECHANICALS  |  |
|  |  * Vaulted Living Area |   |  * Spacious Sleeping   |   | * Propane    |  |
|  |  * Kitchen & Breakfast |   |    Quarters            |   |   Heating    |  |
|  |    Bar                |   |  * Architectural       |   | * Generator  |  |
|  |  * Main Level Bedroom |   |    Storage Space       |   |   Hookup     |  |
+--+-----------------------+---+------------------------+---+--------------+--+

Interior Spatial Allocation and Features

  • Main Level Layout: The ground floor features a bright living area anchored by a hearth/fireplace setup, a kitchen equipped with a gas cooktop, a custom breakfast bar, and a dedicated main-level bedroom.

  • Sleeping Loft: An upper loft space serves as a secondary bedroom or dormitory-style sleeping area for guests, significantly increasing the cabin’s total occupancy capacity.

  • Flooring and Finishes: The interior uses laminate and mixed durable flooring surfaces designed to withstand heavy outdoor use and foot traffic from hunting or hiking.

 

 

Off-Grid Energy and Utility Systems

  • Heating and Lighting: Space heating and ambient interior lighting are powered by a central propane gas infrastructure.

  • Electrical Service: The cabin is fitted with a central electrical circuit panel connected to an exterior generator hookup, allowing standard AC power to run via portable generators. High-speed internet and telephone services are also available at the road frontage.

  • Water and Waste Logistics: The property includes a seasonal-use septic line and a separate outhouse structure. There is currently no active drilled well or municipal water line, allowing a future owner to install a off-grid rainwater collection system, drill a water well, or maintain the existing seasonal infrastructure.

Outbuildings and Equipment Infrastructure

Managing a multi-parcel rural tract requires proper equipment storage. The Finger Lakes Retreat includes two substantial outbuildings built to house vehicles, machinery, and recreational gear.

                     [ HARE ROAD FRONTAGE & DRIVE ]
                                   |
                                   v
         +-------------------------+-------------------------+
         |                                                   |
         v                                                   v
  [ DETACHED GARAGE ]                                 [ POLE BARN ]
  * 20' x 16' Enclosed Footprint                      * 24' x 20' High-Clearance Footprint
  * Vehicle & Small Tool Storage                      * ATV, Tractor & Boat Storage
  1. Detached Storage Garage (20′ x 16′): Provides secure, weather-tight storage for lawn care machinery, small power tools, and seasonal gear.

  2. Heavy-Equipment Pole Barn (24′ x 20′): Features higher vertical clearance designed to store utility vehicles (UTVs/ATVs), compact farm tractors, hunting equipment, trail maintenance gear, and small watercraft.

Land Topography, Timber Reserves, and Water Features

The 29.26± acre landscape features a balanced mix of level and gently rolling topography across four tax parcels, offering exceptional natural utility.

             [ PRIVATE 29.26± ACRE CONCURRENT TRACT ]
                                |
         +----------------------+----------------------+
         |                                             |
         v                                             v
  [ WATER & LANDSCAPE ]                         [ TIMBER RESOURCES ]
  * ¼-Acre Stocked Fish Pond                    * Mature Red Oak Canopy
  * On-Site Stream & Creek                      * Merchantable Standing Timber
  * Level & Rolling Terrain                     * High-Volume Acorn Yield (QDM)

Merchantable Red Oak Timber Equity

The acreage is covered by a dense canopy of mature Red Oak timber. This timber profile provides two clear benefits:

  • Immediate Commercial Timber Equity: Represents standing, merchantable hardwood that can be selectively harvested to generate capital returns.

  • High-Yield Mast Production: Red oaks produce annual acorn crops that serve as a primary food source for local game, attracting white-tailed deer and wild turkey from surrounding properties.

On-Site Water Elements

Located directly in front of the cabin is a private ¼-acre stocked pond. Stocked with largemouth bass and bluegill, the pond serves as a focal point for fishing, paddle boating, and outdoor relaxation. The property also features a natural stream that winds through the acreage, providing a year-round water source for local wildlife.

Wildlife Management, Hunting History, and Public Land Access

Steuben County is recognized nationally as one of New York State’s top destinations for trophy white-tailed deer hunting. The combination of local agriculture, heavy oak timber, and controlled land management makes this property a premier hunting asset.

       [ QUALITY DEER MANAGEMENT (QDM) NEIGHBORS ]
                            |
                            v
[ URBANA STATE FOREST ] <---> [ 29.26 ACRECompound ] <---> [ TROPHY HUNTING HISTORY ]
 2,700 Acres Public Land        ~250' Direct Frontage       Multiple 140"+ Bucks Taken

Quality Deer Management (QDM) Context

Neighboring landowners actively participate in Quality Deer Management (QDM) practices, enforcing selective harvesting to let bucks reach mature age classes. Supported by this regional management philosophy, the property has a documented hunting history of producing mature bucks exceeding 140 inches.

Urbana State Forest Boundary

A major highlight of the property is its ~250 feet of direct frontage bordering Urbana State Forest. This gives owners private, direct access to nearly 2,700 contiguous acres of public land, offering extensive recreational opportunities right from the backyard:

  • Miles of scenic hiking along the Finger Lakes Trail network.

  • Expanded seasonal hunting grounds across thousands of acres of public hardwood forests.

  • Off-grid hiking, primitive wilderness camping, and winter cross-country skiing.

Strategic Regional Location: Hammondsport and Keuka Lake

While the property offers total country privacy, it remains close to key destinations within the Finger Lakes region.

[ RETREAT AT OAK RIDGE ] ----( ~10 Minute Drive )----> [ VILLAGE OF HAMMONDSPORT ]
 Complete Privacy & Seclusion                             Keuka Lake, Dining, & Wineries

Located just a short drive from the property is the historic Village of Hammondsport, situated at the southern tip of Keuka Lake. Frequently voted one of America’s coolest small towns, Hammondsport provides access to regional amenities:

  • Keuka Lake Access: Public boat launches, full-service marinas, and watersports facilities.

  • Craft Beverage Culture: Minutes from award-winning Finger Lakes wineries, craft breweries, and distilleries along the Keuka Lake Wine Trail.

  • Dining & Shopping: Fine dining options, farm-to-table eateries, historic architecture, and local shopping around the village square.

Financial Underwriting and Listing Metrics

From an investment holding standpoint, the financial structure of this Steuben County asset offers an accessible, low-overhead profile.

Underwriting Metric Baseline Property Data Strategic Investor Value
Tax Assessed Value $179,700 Low baseline assessment protecting future holding costs.
Annual Property Tax $3,060 / year Low annual tax footprint ($\approx \$255/\text{month}$).
Listing Terms Cash, Conventional Clear title routing; straightforward transaction process.
Parcel Structure 4 Separate Tax Parcels Future flexibility for selective resale or division.

The four-parcel breakdown gives a buyer long-term strategic flexibility. An owner can choose to hold all 29.26 acres as a single compound, or selectively build on, lease, or sell off individual parcels in the future.

Conclusion: Capitalize on a Turnkey Finger Lakes Asset

The Finger Lakes Retreat at Oak Ridge represents a rare opportunity to acquire a versatile recreational property in New York State. Supported by an 840-square-foot furnished cabin, outbuildings, a stocked fishing pond, mature timber reserves, QDM hunting potential, and direct access to 2,700 acres of Urbana State Forest, its overall value proposition is exceptional.

With delayed negotiations scheduled for July 22, 2026, interested buyers should prepare their financing, complete site reviews, and submit their offers promptly.

Listed on Zillow

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