If you’re thinking about buying a home in Portsmouth, Rye, Dover, Exeter, Greenland, Stratham, elsewhere on the New Hampshire Seacoast, or Southern Maine, you may be asking the same question we hear from many buyers: Should I wait for mortgage rates to come down before I buy? It’s a reasonable question. A lower mortgage rate […]
Should you wait for mortgage rates to fall before buying on the New Hampshire Seacoast? Portsmouth REALTORS® Jim Lee and Ann Cummings explain rates, refinancing, seller-paid buydowns, credit, and buyer strategy.
Should you ask for a price reduction or a mortgage rate buydown? With mortgage rates still hovering in the mid-6% range in 2026, many buyers in the Portsmouth, NH real estate market are asking an important question: Should I negotiate a lower purchase price… or ask the seller to help buy down my mortgage interest […]
You’ve probably asked yourself lately: Is it even worth trying to buy a home right now? It’s a question many people are asking. With today’s home prices and mortgage rates, renting can feel like the easier path. In some cases, it might even seem like the only realistic option right now. And if that’s where you are, there’s nothing […]
As March wraps up, we’re starting to see the New Hampshire Seacoast come back to life—both on the water and in the housing market. Buyer activity is picking up earlier than many expected this year, and while inventory remains limited, we’re seeing more homes begin to hit the market in Portsmouth, Rye, and the surrounding […]
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, […]
Pre-approval isn’t just an estimate. It’s a clear signal from a lender that you’ve had your finances reviewed (think income, debt, credit, and savings) and are qualified to borrow a certain amount. It’s your green light to start shopping seriously—with confidence.
In today’s market, where well-priced homes along the coast still move quickly, pre-approval sets you apart from casual browsers. It turns you into a ready, serious buyer—and that matters to sellers.
With the Powerball jackpot climbing to a jaw-dropping $1.5 billion, dreams of waterfront mansions, luxury estates, and private coastal retreats are running wild. But if you’re fortunate enough to hold that golden ticket, how much house can you really afford after taxes—and how do you protect your windfall from vanishing faster than the tide?
Here’s a closer look at what a winner could take home and why buying smart—especially in tax-friendly, weather-resilient locations like the New Hampshire Seacoast and Southern Maine—could make all the difference.
