2025 YEAR IN REVIEW
Seacoast Market Watch
2
Table of Contents
Special thanks to Chief Statistician/Sales Associate John Rice for his significant contribution. Data sourced from PRIME MLS, analyzed by Tate & Foss Sotheby’s International Realty. PRIME MLS does not guarantee nor is in any way responsible for its accuracy and the data maintained may not reflect all real estate activity in the market. All reproduction of data requires TFSIR’s written consent.
26
16
24
HAMPTON AREA
DURHAM AREA
12
SO. YORK COUNTY COAST
Most photography featured in this report courtesy of Mike Barron Photography
EXETER AREA
8
22
6
HISTORIC & ANTIQUE
18
20
T&F HIGHLIGHTS
14
DOVER AREA
ELIOT & THE BERWICKS
WATERFRONT
4
OUR TEAM
NORTHSHORE
LUXURY
10
PORTSMOUTH AREA
Market Insights
Key Observations
1. A Market Reset Takes Hold - As 2025 came to a close, both single-family and condominium sales leveled off, signaling a market recalibrating toward balance. Activity is steadily inching toward a more normalized pace. 2. Interest Rates Ease, Opportunity Emerges - Mortgage rates have retreated from recent highs into the low six percent range, with potential rate cuts still on the table for 2026. This shift is restoring confidence among buyers and creating renewed momentum, particularly in higher price segments. 3. Inventory Expands, Choice Improves - Inventory rose meaningfully year over year, up 26.4 percent for single-family homes and 33 percent for condominiums. While still well below pre-2019 levels, this marks the most inventory the market has seen in several years and provides buyers with greater selection and negotiating leverage. 4. Luxury Market Remains Resilient - Monthly records for million-dollar sales continue to define the high end of the market. Proposed tax increases in Rhode Island and the existing Millionaires Tax in Massachusetts are further accelerating interest in New Hampshire, particularly among luxury buyers seeking long-term value and tax efficiency. 5. High End Pricing Corrects Thoughtfully - Sale prices for high-end single-family homes have adjusted from prior peaks, reflecting a healthy correction rather than a contraction. While the largest sale in the 13 Sample Seacoast towns reached $5.5 million in 2025, compared to $18.5 million in 2024, this shift points to a more sustainable luxury landscape. 6. Waterfront Demand Defies Expectations - Despite ongoing climate concerns, interest in New Hampshire waterfront properties has strengthened. Buyers continue to place a premium on lifestyle-driven locations, viewing well-positioned waterfront homes as enduring assets. 7. Divergence Between Single Family and Condominiums - Median sale prices rose 6.2 percent for single-family homes, while condominium pricing remained flat. A significant influx of new rental and condominium inventory continues to apply pressure to condo pricing and volume as buyers carefully evaluate value. 8. Regional Standouts Shape the Market - New Castle recorded the highest median sale price among towns with ten or more transactions, exceeding $2.3 million. Dover led the region in overall sales volume, while Rochester recorded the lowest median price point, underscoring the wide spectrum of opportunity across the Seacoast. .
Persistently high interest rates and modest inventory levels will make things challenging for buyers. Subsequently, our seller’s market should continue but with a smaller buyer pool. More monthly million-dollar sales volume records as the median price continues to rise, albeit at an increasingly modest pace. High-end luxury market should remain strong as buyers flee the Massachusetts Millionaire’s Tax and the NH Interest and Dividends tax goes away. The gap between Greater Boston and Seacoast Area median sales prices will continue to shrink. “Luxury” properties will be defined as those exceeding $3 million. Activity in the lower end, wherever that may be, is more intense “Standard” condominium prices will struggle to edge higher as more units become available, creating more competition.
Highest Average Sales Price
#1
The winter edition of Seacoast Market Watch offers an in-depth analysis of real estate conditions across 13 Sample Seacoast towns and surrounding communities, revealing a market that remains highly competitive despite shifting conditions. Housing inventory has returned to pre-pandemic levels, while interest rates continue to hover in the low six percent range. Although overall sales volume rose only marginally, up just 0.6 percent year over year, prices continue to climb, appreciating at an average rate of approximately one-half percent per month. Well-prepared properties remain the key to success. With contractors booked months in advance, buyers are increasingly favoring homes with completed improvements and upgrades, fueling continued multiple-offer situations for listings that are market-ready. At the high end, tax policy continues to influence buyer behavior. The Massachusetts Millionaires Tax has driven affluent buyers across state lines, and with Rhode Island considering a three-percent increase to its own tax, this trend is expected to intensify. While some softening has occurred in luxury pricing, it is viewed as a market correction rather than a decline in demand. In fact, interest in luxury properties remains strong, with record-setting monthly volumes in million-dollar-plus sales. Renewed demand for waterfront properties is also shaping the upper market, even amid rising insurance costs and climate-related concerns. With only 18 miles of Atlantic Ocean coastline available, these properties remain highly desirable. Urban luxury condominium sales exceeding $4 million were a defining feature of 2025 and are expected to remain a significant market segment in the year ahead. Looking forward, potential headwinds include the anticipated addition of approximately 1,000 rental units in 2026, which may place downward pressure on certain single-family and condominium segments. Broader national and international instability also warrants close attention. What effect, if any, these events will have on the Seacoast real estate market remains to be seen. Overall, we anticipate a strong year as real estate markets continue to normalize, and luxury demand remains resilient. Whatever lies ahead, we offer exceptional service, always focused on helping our clients achieve their goals. Sincerely, The Tate & Foss SIR Team
Introduction
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Greater Portsmouth Area
TAX RATE: $7.88
NUMBER OF HOMES SOLD
AVERAGE SALES PRICE
2025
PORTSMOUTH
2024
CHANGE
NUMBER OF SALES
381
312
22%
DAYS ON MARKET
35
32%
AVERAGE PRICE
$1,043,988
$1,049,640
-1%
MEDIAN PRICE
$831,500
$806,500
3%
HIGHEST PRICE
$5,000,000
$6,800,000
-26%
GREENLAND • NEW CASTLE NEWINGTON • PORTSMOUTH RYE • RYE BEACH
RYE
69
86
-20%
55
50
11%
$1,275,076
$1,783,118
-28%
$949,290
$1,144,500
-17%
$18,500,000
-73%
TAX RATE: $9.22
TAX RATE: $13.36
TAX RATE: $5.73
RYE BEACH
-50%
47
104
-55%
$3,450,000
$2,718,000
27%
$2,748,500
26%
$4,200,000
$3,850,000
9%
TAX RATE: $11.51
$1,158,275
GREENLAND
54
8%
43
21
111%
$1,129,494
$836,748
35%
$888,113
$727,500
$3,789,000
$1,790,000
112%
NEW CASTLE
19
13
46%
37
105%
$2,801,368
$2,486,923
13%
$2,300,000
$2,200,000
5%
$5,500,000
$3,959,000
39%
T&F Significant Sale: 24 Mill Pond Road, New Castle NH | $3,400,000 | July 2025
at a glance
NEWINGTON
9
-33%
15
38
-61%
$1,364,317
$2,100,988
-35%
$1,587,500
$1,400,000
$1,700,000
$5,250,000
-68%
531
TAX RATE: $8.66
NORTH HAMPTON
48
0%
19%
$1,305,555
$1,496,396
-13%
$1,000,000
$1,101,500
-9%
$5,200,000
$10,500,000
HAMPTON
260
293
-11%
42
34
25%
$671,236
$653,953
$617,500
$570,000
$1,950,000
$4,950,000
SEABROOK
68
24%
31
29
$824,816
$776,244
6%
$667,500
$600,000
$4,560,000
$3,393,500
34%
T&F Significant Sale: 3 Appledore Ave, North Hampton NH | $2,975,000 | July 2025
TAX RATE: $13.96
Greater Hampton Area
412
SOUTH HAMPTON
5
140%
28
-10%
$975,992
$785,000
$777,500
$750,000
4%
$2,500,000
$1,205,000
HAMPTON • HAMPTON FALLS NORTH HAMPTON • SEABROOK SEABROOK
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$807,337
TAX RATE: $14.47
NUMBER OF SALES IN HAMPTON DOWN
TAX RATE: $14.80
TAX RATE: $12.61
HAMPTON FALLS
143%
$1,151,479
$1,140,405
1%
$1,225,000
$1,100,000
$2,150,000
$3,250,000
-34%
BRENTWOOD • EAST KINGSTON EXETER • KENSINGTON NEWFIELDS • STRATHAM
T&F Significant Sale: 67 Wadleigh Street, #13, Exeter NH | $1,353,525 | May 2025
BRENTWOOD
57
33
40
-18%
$786,074
$686,387
15%
$754,384
$690,500
$1,800,000
$1,175,000
53%
TAX RATE: $15.94
30
TAX RATE: $13.52
TAX RATE: $14.78
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TAX RATE: $18.76
Greater Exeter Area
EXETER
224
199
$691,888
$645,804
7%
$575,000
$2,550,000
$1,502,500
70%
STRATHAM
102
106
-4%
40%
$819,960
$719,225
14%
$787,500
$687,500
$2,465,000
$1,600,000
54%
455
KENSINGTON
11
23
-52%
51
-38%
$896,750
$777,802
$800,000
$710,000
$1,825,000
$1,750,000
NEWFIELDS
47%
-7%
$811,260
10%
$829,000
$1,650,000
18%
TAX RATE: $16.95
EAST KINGSTON
25
$743,225
$603,093
23%
$693,700
$565,500
$1,900,000
$1,299,900
$752,367
Greater Dover Area
NUMBER OF SALES IN ROCHESTER DOWN
SOMERSWORTH
103
17
$480,735
$436,434
$445,000
$425,000
$2,800,000
$735,000
281%
DOVER • ROCHESTER ROLLINSFORD • SOMERSWORTH
TAX RATE: $19.68
TAX RATE: $15.30
$526,075
TAX RATE: $19.27
DAYS ON MARKET IN DOVER UP
808
ROCHESTER
300
352
-15%
$425,802
$404,724
$400,000
$390,000
$812,000
51%
ROLLINSFORD
17%
-31%
$566,768
$579,567
-2%
$487,500
$414,000
$1,250,000
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TAX RATE: $17.90
DOVER
374
390
$616,311
$646,426
$546,500
$542,500
$7,548,845
$4,437,500
TAX RATE: $17.94
TAX RATE: $18.87
NUMBER OF SALES IN DURHAM UP
52%
DURHAM
70
32
$739,585
$722,354
2%
$685,000
$632,500
$3,350,000
NEWMARKET
95
109
$588,435
$555,132
$560,000
$559,900
$1,420,000
TAX RATE: $19.42
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TAX RATE: $27.61
LEE
46
28%
$632,633
$598,705
$592,500
$567,500
$1,050,000
33%
DAYS ON MARKET IN NEWMARKET DOWN
MADBURY
-32%
$833,423
$790,912
$742,000
$700,000
$2,000,000
DURHAM • LEE MADBURY • NEWMARKET
$658,964
Greater Durham Area
BERWICK
78
79
85%
$527,162
$453,282
16%
$520,500
$465,000
12%
$948,500
$835,000
BERWICK • ELIOT NORTH BERWICK • SOUTH BERWICK
20%
NUMBER OF SALES IN N.BERWICK DOWN
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TAX RATE: $9.35
$597,458
SOUTH BERWICK
75
-5%
$542,566
$495,745
$525,000
$479,000
$1,350,000
$1,200,000
NORTH BERWICK
37%
$549,968
$457,929
$540,000
$467,929
$979,000
$799,900
TAX RATE: $13.04
AVERAGE SALES PRICE IN ELIOT UP
TAX RATE: $11.25
253
ELIOT
63
64
-3%
$777,730
$623,947
$680,000
$576,100
$1,847,500
Eliot & The Berwicks
TAX RATE: $12.52
TAX RATE: $9.85
KITTERY
111
107
36
$771,747
$828,448
$625,000
$5,100,000
KENNEBUNK • KENNEBUNKPORT KITTERY • OGUNQUIT • WELLS YORK
1,081
TAX RATE: $6.88
$872,971
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WELLS
346
338
44
41
$584,008
$589,938
$549,500
$522,500
$2,250,000
$4,500,000
KENNEBUNKPORT
96
99
60
$1,569,713
$1,490,314
$1,135,000
$970,000
$12,000,000
$8,400,000
43%
TAX RATE: $9.29
OGUNQUIT
49
$1,037,225
$1,010,431
$815,000
$799,500
$3,500,000
$3,045,000
TAX RATE: $8.25
TAX RATE: $6.73
KENNEBUNK
207
225
-8%
41%
$845,204
$806,755
$675,000
$615,000
$3,014,745
$4,450,000
TAX RATE: $6.46
Southern York County Coast
YORK
272
270
$1,027,489
$1,036,883
$822,500
$6,100,000
-27%
Luxury Properties
$3,120,550
$2,869,750
T&F Significant Sale: 32 Wisteria Drive, Dover NH | $7,548,845 | September 2025
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HIGHEST SALES PRICE
137
142
Luxury
$2,700,000
T&F Significant Sale: 152 Portsmouth Avenue, New Castle NH | $5,500,000 | August 2025
MEDIAN SALES PRICE
T&F Significant Sale: 11 Atlantic Avenue, North Hampton NH | $5,200,000 | October 2025
$3,465,562
Waterfront Properties
$1,186,250
SPOTLIGHT ON 2025 WATERFRONT SALES
Oceanfront
T&F Significant Sale: 212 Walker Bungalow Road, Portsmouth NH | $3,939,000 | June 2025
{
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$1,691,756
87 40 $1,512,888 $1,050,000 $7,548,845 DOVER
vs.
T&F Significant Sale: 28 Osprey Cove, Greenland NH | $2,900,000 | November 2025
River-Bay-Lakefront
NUMBER OF SALES DAYS ON MARKET AVERAGE PRICE MEDIAN PRICE HIGHEST PRICE
151
$1,112,500
64 61 $1,934,905 $1,275,000 $12,000,000 KENNEBUNKPORT
$872,864
Historic Properties
$622,500
T&F Significant Sale: 11 Atkinson Street, New Castle NH | $1,911,000 | July 2025
514
T&F Significant Sale: 127 Main Street, New Castle NH | $1,900,000 | September 2025
T&F Significant Sale: 12 Willow Avenue, North Hampton NH | $4,000,000 | April 2025
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TAX RATE: $15.05
TAX RATE: $10.15
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TAX RATE: $7.51
$843,238
NEWBURY
76
83
$1,061,413
$1,064,541
$950,000
$975,000
$3,825,000
$3,510,000
TAX RATE: $11.15
AMESBURY • IPSWICH NEWBURY • WEST NEWBURY
IPSWICH
129
$968,619
$869,415
$786,000
$775,500
$2,945,006
HIGHEST PRICE IN IPSWICH UP
The Northshore
39
WEST NEWBURY
-12%
$1,053,172
$1,080,723
$905,000
$2,230,025
$2,799,000
507
AMESBURY
255
-19%
$655,301
$624,850
$640,000
$1,675,000
$2,780,000
-40%
NUMBER OF SALES IN AMESBURY DOWN
Lisa Chase Associate Broker 603.817.1818 t
Kristin Mcnulty Finance 603.964.8028 t
Maggie Campbell Sales Associate 603.918.0069 t
Chantal O'Hare Sales Associate 603.303.6344 t
Tony Jalbert Principal Broker 603.498.6241 t
Sharon Parker Sales Associate 603.828.1705 t
Our Team
Kathy Corbett Sales Associate 603.781.6959 t
Sean Fellows Sales Associate 603.616.6885 t
Kasey Gossom Marketing Manager 603.964.8028
Lizzie Ferris Sales Associate 603.828.1954 t
Mary Beth Hixon Sales Associate 603.548.5380 t
Jonathan Levy Sales Associate 617.828.3921 t
Jenifer Parker Sales Associate 603.498.0555 t
Caren Logan Sales Associate 603.370.0544 t
Patricia Weathersby Sales Associate 603.957.1430 t
Lynne Joyce Associate Broker 603.591.8489 t
Brett Mulvey Sales Associate 603.396.6098 t
Jenifer Suech Sales Associate 603.505.1836
Dana Mitchell Associate Broker 603.682.2333 t
John Rice Associate Broker 603.498.4034 t