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.
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.
Wondering what your home is worth? Ann Cummings & Jim Lee of RE/MAX Shoreline explain how home values are determined across the NH Seacoast.
If you’ve owned a home along the New Hampshire Seacoast or southern Maine over the past several years, there’s a good chance your property value has increased dramatically. And that means one thing many homeowners may not fully realize: You could be sitting on far more equity than you think. For homeowners in Portsmouth, Rye, […]
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 […]
If you’ve been thinking about selling along the New Hampshire Seacoast or southern Maine, this is the moment to pay attention. Each spring brings renewed energy to the market—but this year, there’s a standout window that could give sellers in Portsmouth, Rye, Exeter, Dover, and Hampton, NH a meaningful edge.
Imagine waking up in your next home along the New Hampshire Seacoast — maybe in Portsmouth, Rye, North Hampton, Hampton, Exeter, or New Castle — and not having a mortgage payment at all.
It might sound far-fetched. But for many Seacoast homeowners, it’s more realistic than you think.
Nearly 3 in 10 homes nationwide are being purchased with cash. And here’s the big reason why: equity.
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.
