As 2025 winds down, local real estate experts Ann Cummings and Jim Lee of RE/MAX Shoreline in Portsmouth, NH, are once again checking their real estate crystal ball to see where the New Hampshire Seacoast and southern Maine housing market is headed in the new year. And while the past few years have been defined by high mortgage rates and hesitancy, 2026 is shaping up to be a turning point.
There’s no sudden boom — but there is momentum. Quiet but consistent. And it’s gaining strength.
Here along the New Hampshire Seacoast, we’re seeing meaningful movement from both buyers and sellers. The market is starting to breathe again, and that could mean exciting opportunities for those ready to make a move in 2026.
What’s Driving the Shift? Here Are 3 Key Trends to Watch:
1. Mortgage Rates Are Easing Back
Mortgage rates have always ebbed and flowed — and they likely always will. But zooming out, 2025 has seen a welcome downward trend in rates, offering some long-overdue relief for buyers.
According to Freddie Mac’s Chief Economist, Sam Khater:
“On a median-priced home, this could allow a homebuyer to save thousands annually compared to earlier this year, showing that affordability is slowly improving.”
Buyers on the Seacoast of New Hampshire and southern Maine now have more buying power. Data from Redfin shows a $3,000 monthly budget stretches about $25,000 further than it did just a year ago. That makes a big difference — and it’s a major reason activity is picking up in areas like Portsmouth, NH, and surrounding coastal communities.
2. Sellers Are Returning to the Market
Over the last few years, many homeowners felt “locked in” by ultra-low mortgage rates and chose not to sell. But that’s starting to change.
With mortgage rates drifting down and life changes continuing to drive decisions, we’re seeing more sellers re-enter the market. Inventory is building — and that’s a breath of fresh sea air for buyers.
RE/MAX Shoreline data, along with reports from Realtor.com, show that inventory is returning to levels we haven’t seen in six years. More listings mean more choice, especially in popular areas like Portsmouth, Rye, and Kittery — all hot spots for homebuyers drawn to the New Hampshire Seacoast lifestyle.
3. Buyers Are Getting Back in the Game
On the buying side, confidence is creeping back in. With more homes available and mortgage rates improving, buyers are feeling more empowered.
The Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) reports that purchase applications are up from last year. Experts from Fannie Mae, the MBA, and the National Association of Realtors all forecast moderate growth in home sales through 2026 — not a frenzy, but a steady rise.
That’s great news for buyers and sellers looking to make smart, strategic moves with guidance from local real estate professionals like Jim Lee and Ann Cummings.
The Bottom Line from Jim and Ann
If you’ve been waiting for the market to shift, this might just be your moment. Lower mortgage rates, increased inventory, and growing buyer demand are all combining to reshape the housing landscape as we head into 2026.
Whether you’re buying or selling a home in Portsmouth, the New Hampshire Seacoast, or Southern Maine, having the right team on your side makes all the difference. As longtime local agents with RE/MAX Shoreline, Ann Cummings and Jim Lee bring decades of coastal real estate expertise to help you navigate this evolving market with confidence.
Call us directly at 603.436.1221
Visit NewHampshireMaineRealEstate.com to browse the latest listings, explore market insights, and learn more about living on the New Hampshire Seacoast and Southern Maine.
Let’s make your 2026 real estate goals a reality — whether it’s finding your dream coastal home or preparing to list your property with confidence.
