With economic uncertainty, higher mortgage rates, inflation, and plenty of dramatic housing headlines, it’s understandable that some homeowners and buyers are wondering the same thing:
Is the housing market headed for a crash?
If you’ve been waiting to buy a home in Portsmouth or anywhere along the New Hampshire Seacoast, you’re not alone.
The first half of 2026 challenged many buyers. Mortgage rates remained higher than many hoped, affordability stayed tight, and economic uncertainty caused countless people to put their home search on hold.
The truth is that no one can predict the future with complete certainty. What we can do is combine decades of local experience with current market data, economic trends, and what we’re seeing every day in the Portsmouth and Seacoast real estate market.
The encouraging news is that several indicators suggest the second half of 2026 could present better opportunities for buyers than the first.
15 Questions Every New Hampshire Seacoast Homeowner Should Ask Before Hiring a REALTOR® By Ann Cummings & Jim Lee, REALTORS® | RE/MAX Shoreline If you’re thinking about selling your home in Portsmouth, Rye, New Castle, Greenland, Exeter, Dover, Hampton, Kittery, York, or anywhere on the New Hampshire Seacoast, you’re probably asking the same questions we […]
As the light begins to shift and we move closer to spring along the shoreline, buyer activity is already building across the New Hampshire Seacoast and Southern Maine. Serious buyers are preparing early, and thoughtfully presented homes are capturing strong attention—especially those offering water views, walkability, or updated coastal interiors.
If a move is on your radar for 2026, here’s the most important thing to understand upfront:
There isn’t one housing market this year — there are many.
As we begin 2026, the New Hampshire Seacoast real estate market — from Portsmouth to Rye, Dover to Exeter, Hampton to North Hampton — is proving to be just as competitive as predicted. Inventory remains low, slightly higher than early 2025 but still far below pre-pandemic levels. Meanwhile, mortgage rates have hovered in the high-to-mid 5% range, creating an environment where serious buyers must act strategically to succeed.
If you’ve been scrolling through real estate news or social media lately, you’ve probably seen headlines like this: “Big investors are buying up all the homes.” And if you’re a buyer who’s lost out on a couple of offers, that idea might feel all too real. When home prices are high and inventory is tight, […]
As we look ahead to 2026, the real estate outlook along the New Hampshire Seacoast and into Southern Maine remains steady—but layered. Buyers are cautiously optimistic, sellers are weighing equity and low mortgage rates, and homeowners are asking: Is this the year to make a move, or sit tight a little longer?
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 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.
As we head deeper into fall, national headlines paint a picture of a housing market in transition. But what does that mean here on the New Hampshire Seacoast? At RE/MAX Shoreline, we—Jim Lee and Ann Cummings—keep a close eye on both local and national trends to help our clients make smart, confident decisions. We’ve reviewed […]
