Massachusetts & New Hampshire market
What the Market Headlines Aren’t Telling You
Why a market can slow, become more balanced and still reach new price records.
The short answer
Depending on which headline you read, the housing market is either slowing down, becoming more balanced or reaching new price records. Surprisingly, all three can be true.
National and statewide headlines compress thousands of markets, price ranges and property types into one number. A starter home in Westford, a condominium in Chelmsford and a lake property in southern New Hampshire can experience very different demand during the same week.
Local perspective
The national market looked more balanced than ours
In July 2026, national existing-home sales declined 1.7% from June while the median price rose 2% year over year to $434,100. Inventory represented a 4.6-month supply.
In the Northeast, however, the median price reached $563,800—5.2% higher than a year earlier—with sales unchanged from the prior July. A broadly stabilizing national market did not automatically mean falling prices here.
Local perspective
More Massachusetts listings did not mean lower prices
A July statewide compilation reported listings up 7.5% year over year, pending sales nearly flat, price adjustments up about 24% and combined sales down 3.2%. The combined average sale price still increased 2.2%.
More homes were becoming available, but buyers were not absorbing all of them at the same pace. This was a more selective market—not necessarily an inexpensive one.
Local perspective
New Hampshire reached another record
New Hampshire’s July single-family median reached a record $580,000, up 5.5% from a year earlier. Closed sales rose 10.4%, pending sales rose 7.2% and supply reached 2.7 months.
Average market time increased to 23 days from 21. Inventory was improving, but demand remained strong enough to support record pricing.
Local perspective
Longer market times require context
An increase from an unusually fast market does not mean homes are sitting unsold. The more useful question is which homes are taking longer and why.
Condition, location and pricing were becoming more important. A well-prepared home positioned correctly could still attract immediate interest, while an aspirationally priced property or one needing substantial work could require an adjustment.
Local perspective
What buyers and sellers should take from the data
- Buyers may see more choice, more price reductions and negotiation on some properties—alongside continued competition for the best-positioned homes.
- Sellers should study current competition, condition, showing activity and the first two weeks of response rather than relying only on older closed sales.
- For any homeowner, the most relevant evidence is what comparable properties are doing in the same town, neighborhood and price range.