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New Hampshire: Caught in the Middle of a Housing Surge

Wednesday, February 26, 2025   /   by Vanessa Saunders

New Hampshire: Caught in the Middle of a Housing Surge

We’re sandwiched between Massachusetts and Maine, both experiencing massive real estate upheavals. The result? Pressure from both sides.

New Hampshire Map.png
The Numbers Tell the Story

  • Home Prices Keep Climbing
    The median home price in New Hampshire has hit $540,000, a 63.3% increase since 2020.
    (Zillow)

  • Inventory Is Dwindling
    The state has a housing shortage of 23,500 units—and will need 90,000 more by 2040 to keep up with demand.
    (HousingWire)

  • Affordability Crisis
    51% of renters in NH spend more than 30% of their income on housing costs.
    (Roche Realty)

Sellers Have the Upper Hand… But for How Long?

With record-high prices, this is a fantastic time to sell—but there’s a catch. Where do you go next?

  • Multi-million-dollar homeowners aren’t worried—they can buy without blinking.
  • Second homes sit empty for months, while residents desperately seek places to live.
  • Sellers are hesitant, fearing they won’t find a new home after selling.

And yet, despite the seller-friendly market, overpricing is rampant, and many homes are sitting longer than expected.

The Overpricing Trap & The Price Correction Ahead

Sellers love to say:
? I don’t want to give my house away! ?

But here’s the reality:

?? Buyers won’t overpay forever.
?? Homes are sitting longer, racking up carrying costs.
?? More price cuts are appearing in the MLS.

The signs of a downward price correction are emerging. Sellers who price their homes realistically will fare far better than those who hold out for unrealistic offers.


Should Out-of-State Second Homeowners Be Taxed Differently?

With thousands of homes sitting empty for most of the year while locals scramble for housing, is it time to rethink property taxes for second-home owners?

Some states are already exploring:
?? Higher property taxes on non-resident homeowners
?? Vacancy taxes on underutilized properties
?? Incentives for converting vacation homes into long-term rentals

Would this work in New Hampshire? Maybe. But if we don’t address housing affordability soon, many towns may go the way of Newry—where the local community is being priced out of its own home.


The Market Is Changing—Are You Ready?

This isn’t a market in freefall, but it is at a turning point.

  • Sellers who list now, at the right price, can still cash out at record highs.
  • Buyers who wait may see better deals, but competition isn’t going away.
  • Communities must decide how to handle growth before it’s too late.

For those thinking about selling—this is still a great time. But price it right. Don’t assume buyers will pay anything just to get in.

For those watching overpriced homes sit unsold—change is coming. The question is, who will recognize it first?


Adapted from Joy Dumandan’s article, “Small Town of 400 in a David-and-Goliath Fight Against Outsiders—as Price of Homes Doubles.”


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Vanessa Saunders at Keeler Family Realtors
Vanessa Saunders
845-598-5083
Barry Goldenberg
NMLS# 86847
Cell: (516) 398-9511

Elaine Teeters
NMLS# 1146209
Cell: (203) 912-1778

35 Center Street, Office #18
Wolfeboro, NH 03894

Vanessa Saunders

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