Wednesday, March 26, 2025 / by Vanessa Saunders
This week, the New Hampshire Senate passed a package of bills aimed at breaking down zoning barriers that limit housing supply. And whether you're in Laconia or anywhere in the Lakes Region, this will likely affect how your town grows.
If you live in Laconia or the Lakes Region, this isn’t just politics—it’s your backyard.
In a bold move, the New Hampshire Senate just passed several bills that override local zoning laws to spur more housing. That’s right: the state is stepping in and telling towns, “Time to make room.”
What just passed the Senate?
A trio of zoning reforms, now heading to the House:
SB 84 – Caps minimum lot sizes for single-family homes:
Max 2 acres if there’s no municipal water/sewer
Max half an acre if those services existTowns must change their zoning ordinances by July 2026 to comply.
SB 282 – Allows 4–6 story residential buildings to hav ...
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Thursday, March 20, 2025 / by Vanessa Saunders
We’ve all been trained to be skeptical. "If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is." But every once in a while, something comes along that is as good as it sounds—no catch, no gimmicks, just a solid opportunity. And right now, that opportunity is the HOPER Program.
If you’re thinking about buying a home, you already know the biggest roadblocks:
Upfront Costs: Saving for a down payment while juggling life’s other expenses can be tough.
Closing Costs: These add up fast and can feel like a financial sucker punch.
Realtor Fees: The confusion around who pays what can make things even trickier.
But what if I told you that a program exists that can cover up to $13,000 of these costs? Yes, including your buyer’s agent fees. You are free to spend it on anything you want!
HOPER: A Real Solution for Homebuyers
This isn't some too-good-to-be-true scheme. It’s an actual, available program that helps qualified buyers with:
Clos. ...
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Thursday, March 20, 2025 / by Vanessa Saunders
As a real estate professional in New Hampshire, I recently attended a webinar on flood management and mitigation strategies. While informative, it felt somewhat generic and lacked the depth I believe our community deserves. In this blog, I aim to provide a more engaging and comprehensive overview of how we can enhance flood resilience in our region, focusing on practical solutions and resources available to us.
Understanding Flood Risks in New Hampshire
New Hampshire, like many parts of the country, faces significant flood risks. Flooding can occur at any time, impacting not just homes but also critical infrastructure like emergency access routes to facilities such as county nursing homes. It's crucial for us to understand these risks and take proactive steps to mitigate them.
FEMA's Community Rating System (CRS)
One of the most effective tools for managing flood risks is FEMA's Community Rating System (CRS). This voluntary program incentivizes communities to adopt floodplain man. ...
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Wednesday, March 19, 2025 / by Vanessa Saunders
Yesterday’s 2025 Homeownership Conference provided a sobering look at New Hampshire’s housing market, highlighting critical issues affecting homebuyers, sellers, and the broader economy. With rising costs, inventory shortages, and evolving policies, it’s clear that we are at a turning point. Here’s what the public needs to know.
Housing Affordability: A Growing Concern
According to Rob Dapice, CEO of New Hampshire Housing, the state is facing a severe housing shortage. The average price of a single-family home now exceeds $500,000, making homeownership increasingly out of reach for many residents. Meanwhile, rental prices continue to rise, with the median two-bedroom apartment now costing $1,833 per month—and only 13% of rental units considered affordable for the median renter.
This affordability crisis is not just a concern for those looking to buy or rent—it affects workforce retention, economic growth, and even local businesses st ...
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Wednesday, March 12, 2025 / by Vanessa Saunders
Sometimes, It’s Just a Smart Move
By Vanessa Saunders | Associate Broker, Keeler Family Realtors
We’ve all been trained to be skeptical. "If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is."
But every once in a while, something comes along that is as good as it sounds—no catch, no gimmicks, just a solid opportunity.
And right now, that opportunity is the HOPER Program.
If you’re thinking about buying a home, you already know the biggest roadblocks:
Upfront costs – Saving for a down payment while juggling life’s other expenses? Tough.
Closing costs – Those add up fast and can feel like a financial sucker punch.
Realtor fees – The confusion around who pays what can make things even trickier.
But what if I told you that a program exists that can cover up to $13,000 of these costs? Yes, including your buyer’s agent fees. In fact, you are free to spend it on anything you want!
HOPER: A Real Solution for Homebuyers
Th2 ...
Read More
real estate, new hampshire, new hampshire homes, local market expertise, buying a home, new hampshire broker, real estate expert, home buying process, real estate guidance, home buying journey, buyer agent, the complete guide to buying a home, first time buyers, hoper program
