What Buyers and Sellers Need to Know in Greater Lowell Right Now

By Chris Doherty

Christian Doherty lists and sells more homes than any other agent in the Greater Lowell, Massachusetts market with over 300 homes sold in the past 12 months. Chris is ranked in the top 1% of all agents in the United States.

How is the Greater Lowell real estate market doing in 2026?

If you’ve been following the market or thinking about making a move, you’re probably hearing mixed signals. Some homes are selling in days with multiple offers. Others are sitting. Nationally, the headlines are making people nervous. So what’s actually happening here in Greater Lowell and Southern New Hampshire?

I put together this market comparison of 2026 vs. 2025 so you can cut through the noise and make decisions based on what’s really going on locally.

2025 was about speed. 2026 is about strategy.

Last year, the buyer who moved the fastest was winning. Sellers were doing really well across the board. In 2026, that dynamic has shifted. I’m seeing a more sophisticated buyer. They’re doing more research, taking a little more time, and being more deliberate about where they put their money. Part of that is the uncertainty happening nationally and globally right now, from what’s going on overseas to oil prices moving up and down. Buyers are a little more nervous, and that’s showing up in how they approach the market.

Overall, sales are down slightly in Greater Lowell, but that’s a result of inventory still being tight. Fewer homes on the market means fewer sales. It’s not a demand problem. It’s a supply problem.

Under $600,000 is still a frenzy.

If you’re looking at towns like Andover, Westford, Groton, Dunstable, Lowell, Tyngsborough, Dracut, Billerica, or Tewksbury, anything that’s reasonably priced at $600,000 or under and shows well is moving immediately. Multi-bid situations, fast timelines, intense competition. These homes are hard to find, and when they come on the market, buyers are ready to move.

The higher-end market is a different story.

Luxury buyers are more sophisticated and they’re taking their time. That segment is moving slower than what I saw in 2025. If you have a property priced above $600,000, expect it to sit longer and expect buyers to be more selective about what they’re willing to pay for.

Sellers: overpricing is being penalized in 2026.

This is the biggest shift sellers need to understand. If you overprice your home in this market, you are going to pay a price for it. Especially above that $600,000 mark. The days of listing high and hoping for the best are not working the way they did in 2025. Pricing correctly from the start, presenting your home well, and having a strong marketing strategy are what separate the homes that sell quickly from the ones that sit.

New Hampshire is outpacing Massachusetts right now.

Across the markets I cover, Southern New Hampshire is moving stronger than the Massachusetts side. Both are performing well, but New Hampshire has the edge at the moment.

The rental market is picking up too.

I’m seeing more inventory hit the rental market and pricing is trending slightly upward, around 1 to 2% gains. Things are taking a little more time to move, but the rental market is still active and heading in the right direction.

Despite everything you might be hearing nationally, this market is still strong. Supply is limited, rates are still hovering in the sixes, and traffic is still moving. Greater Lowell and Southern New Hampshire remain a very solid market for both buyers and sellers who approach it strategically.

If you’re thinking about buying, selling, or renting and want to talk through what this market means for your specific situation, reach out. I’m here to help you make the best decision. Call me at (978) 746-0124 or email me at chris@dohertyproperties.com. You can also visit dohertyproperties.com to learn more.