Why MA & NH Homes Are Selling Fast This Summer

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.

Is the real estate market really slowing down, or are we just reading the wrong headlines? You’ve probably seen reports saying the U.S. housing market is cooling off, with price growth slowing to around 2%. But before you make any big decisions based on national data, let’s take a closer look at what’s actually happening here in Massachusetts and New Hampshire. The reality is different, and if you’re a buyer or seller, you should know about it.

National headlines are missing the local story. National averages say price growth is cooling, but real estate isn’t one-size-fits-all. The stories dominating your news feed are painting a broad picture, and they’re missing what’s happening right here in our local markets. When you zoom in on New England, especially Massachusetts and New Hampshire, the data tells a much more active story.

New Hampshire is still heating up. We’re still seeing price growth of over 5% year over year. So while the national numbers might look soft, locally we’re holding strong. In fact, a recent report from realtor.com says that the hottest market in the country right now is between Manchester and Nashua, New Hampshire. This is likely driven by affordability, lifestyle, and the kind of inventory buyers are after right now.

Massachusetts prices are also climbing. We’re also looking at over 5% price growth compared to last year. There’s definitely more inventory coming onto the market, and we’re seeing buyers still active, but they’re moving a little more cautiously. It’s not a freeze, it’s a shift in tempo.

More inventory means more opportunity. With prices stabilizing a bit and more homes to choose from, buyers have a better shot at getting into the market. Over just the past 10 to 12 days, we’ve seen a noticeable uptick in buyer traffic. The summer heat could be slowing things down temporarily, but it’s likely not going to last long.

If this slight cooling trend continues, it could put pressure on the government to lower interest rates. And if that happens, the floodgates will open. More buyers will re-enter the market, and that added demand could quickly heat things back up. Even with this recent increase in listings, inventory is still low compared to historical norms. That makes right now a rare window: buyers are active, prices are steady, and there’s still some negotiating room.

Rents are climbing fast. Boston just reported the highest increase in rental prices for single-family homes in the nation. While rents felt stable in Massachusetts and New Hampshire over the last month, we’re now seeing signs of prices climbing in certain areas. So if you’re renting, you have to ask, what’s the alternative? Owning can start to look like the better long-term move.

Tight supply keeps New England resilient. One reason our markets are holding up so well is that we don’t have a ton of new construction. We’ll see a new project here and there, but we’re not seeing neighborhoods pop up all over the place. That limited supply is helping to keep things stable, even as other markets across the country start to wobble.

So here’s where things stand: prices are still climbing, buyers are still out there, and inventory is picking up—for now. That gives you a short-term edge if you’re looking to make a move. Massachusetts and New Hampshire are outperforming the national market.

Whether you’re thinking about buying or selling, I’m here to help. Don’t wait too long. September’s right around the corner, and the market’s already starting to shift again. If you’re ready to make a move, don’t hesitate to call me at 978-746-0124 or send an email to chris@dohertyproperties.com. I look forward to talking with you soon.