Buying a house in New Hampshire can be stressful, but you can make it easier by starting the home-buying process at the right time.
The best time to buy a house in New Hampshire depends on your priorities and situation. This article examines listing prices, housing inventory, and mortgage rate trends in New Hampshire so that you can make an informed decision.
An experienced real estate agent can help you navigate the New Hampshire real estate market, achieve your home-buying goals, and leave the stress behind.
⚡Get expert support: Match with a top New Hampshire real estate agent near you.
The best month for low listing prices in New Hampshire
🔎 Key takeways
- 🏅 Best month for low listing price: January
- 🚫 Worst month for low listing price: May
- 💵 Median listing price: $572,784
- 📈 Listing prices are up 1.75% from last month[1]
If finding a house for a low listing price is your priority, the best time to buy a house in New Hampshire is January.
In recent years, prices for homes in New Hampshire have been the lowest in January. On average, homes are $17,834 less expensive than the median listing price of $572,784.
In January, buyers may find fewer homes on the market, which can cause sellers to list their homes for less. You’ll likely have fewer options to choose from, but you have the chance to score a great deal.
In May — the month with the highest listing prices — the listing prices were $16,466 more than the median listing price. Buyers may have better luck negotiating the listing price during this time, since housing inventory will likely be higher and the market is more competitive.
Keep in mind that price trends can vary from city to city — and there may even be anomalies within certain neighborhoods. If you want to find the best time to buy a house in New Hampshire, we recommend connecting with a local realtor. They'll help you navigate the ins and outs of the New Hampshire housing market, compare interest rates, and find a deal that works for you.
The best month for housing inventory in New Hampshire
🔎 Key takeways
- 🏅 Best month for housing inventory: September
- 🚫 Worst month for housing inventory: February
- 🏠 Average housing inventory in New Hampshire: 2,133
- 📈 Housing inventory is up 22.8% from last year[1]
If having a wide selection of houses to choose from is your priority, then the best time to buy a house in New Hampshire is September.
You’ll likely find the highest number of listed homes in September and might have better luck negotiating the price of a property during this month when there are more houses on the market.
In New Hampshire, you’ll find the fewest available listings in February. During this season, sellers might list their homes due to financial desperation or immediate need. You're more likely to find as-is listings and fixer-uppers during this time. That said, you could still find some great houses on the market for a low price.
When looking at housing inventory, you’ll also want to check how many days the listings have been on the market. Days on market (DOM) can indicate how competitive the market is and how much time you have to make an offer on a home.
In New Hampshire, listings have a DOM average of 46 days. In January, listings are on the market the longest, for an average of 72 days. You’ll likely have a better chance of negotiating the listing price during this month.
In May, listings are on the market for the least amount of time — an average of 25 days — which indicates the market is more competitive and it could be harder to make a successful bid.
The best month for mortgage rates in New Hampshire
🔎 Key takeways
- 🏅 Best month for mortgage rates: September
- 🚫 Worst month for mortgage rates: May
- 💵 Average mortgage rate: 6.83%
- 📈 Mortgage rates are up 2.4% from last month[2]
If scoring a low mortgage rate is your top goal, the best time to buy a house (and take out a loan) is September.
In the past year, mortgage rates have been lowest in September, with an average mortgage rate of 6.08% on $480,212 home (average home value in New Hampshire)[3]. When mortgage rates are low, buyers can usually expect more demand and higher listing prices.
Mortgage rates have been historically higher in May, with an average mortgage rate of 7.2% on $480,212 home. During this month, listing prices could take a dip since buyers are less motivated to take out a loan due to high interest rates.
Before you start touring houses, it’s helpful to have your mortgage pre-approval letter secured. This shows that you’re financially qualified to make an offer and sets you apart from buyers who don’t have one. Most New Hampshire home sellers will require a pre-approval letter before showing you their home.
No matter when you decide to buy, remember to compare interest rates and pre-approval amounts from several lenders to make sure you're getting the absolute best rate and terms when you buy your house in New Hampshire.
Where should you buy in New Hampshire? Start here.
- Most Affordable Cities to Live in New England
- Top 5 Residential Real Estate Investment Markets in New Hampshire
How to find a great real estate agent in New Hampshire
When you’re in the planning stage of buying a home, the best step you can take is to connect with a great local buyer’s agent.
You can start your search by looking up a brokerage or realty, but don't stop there. Take the time to research and interview multiple real estate agents, paying attention to their:
- Years of experience (the median is 8 years)
- Number of home buyers helped in the last year
- Expertise in your target neighborhood and price range
- Online reviews and complaints
- Licensing and certifications, such as an Accredited Buyer's Representative[4]
- Membership in local real estate boards, such as the Capital Region Board of REALTORS[5]
An experienced New Hampshire real estate agent can help you find the best time to buy a house in New Hampshire and make the most of your situation, even if it's a seller's market. Economic conditions can change quickly, and a knowledgeable realtor can give you up-to-the-minute information on where and when to buy based on your priorities.
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Why trust us
Data sources
Our Research Team uses real estate data from reputable sources, such as Zillow, Realtor.com, and FreddieMac, to determine the best and worst months to buy a house in New Hampshire. We analyze monthly trends for listing prices, housing inventory, and mortgage rates and refresh that data on our pages as the primary sources update.
About Clever Real Estate
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Our team of industry-leading researchers is committed to making homeownership more accessible by educating buyers through guides like this one. We've spent thousands of hours analyzing publicly available data, surveying consumers, and interviewing industry experts. Our research has been featured in The New York Times, Business Insider, Inman, Housing Wire, and many more.
