I thought I would take a look at our local real estate market and see how it compares this year to date (1/1/2025-4/8/2025) to the same period last year (1/1/2024-4/8/2024). This past week and a half, we all experienced turbulence in the stock market due to the shift in trade policies and tariffs placed across the board. The dramatic shifts sent the stock market into a sharp dive, spiking concerns about potential fallout for the housing market. All of this may have you thinking that storm clouds have formed over what was shaping up to be a sunny spring selling season in the Lakes Region.
In the fall, momentum began to build, and many second-home markets in the country experienced increased sales; however, as mid-February approached, economic concerns grew, tariff news increased, government cuts and weakness in the tech sector introduced an uncertainty into the real estate market. When April arrived, the stock market erased most of its gains since November. The question is, will the feverishness in the stock market translate over to other investments, such as real estate? However, when you look on the brighter path of the flip side, it says there is also a possibility that buyers will turn to real estate, especially second homes, to diversify their investments as a hedge against inflation rather than a stock certificate in tech stocks. A vacation property can be used for a lifetime of family memories, while it appreciates in value and it also can be rented for periods of time.
We need to take a deep breath and see how things will play out. In the short term, uncertainty will cloud the air. We will also have to watch to see if our economy is slowing. That may lead to lower interest rates. It’s anyone’s guess. Yes, we have an unsettling global environment. However, the Lakes Region market is sort of an oasis to get away from all the drama and acquire a second home.
Here is a summary of how real estate sales look in the Lakes Region this year-to-date (1/1/25-4/8/25) compared to the same 3-month, 8-day period during 2024.
Results for the 25 towns and cities in the Lakes Region:
2025 Sales
- 245 single-family home sales; median days on the market was 26, the median sales price was $474,000, the average sales price was $666,123, the highest sales price was $5,500,000, and the lowest sales price was $132,500. Total volume was $163,200,191.
- 67 condo sales; median days on the market was 18, the median sales price was $399,900, the average sales price was $457,654, the highest sales price was $1,477,725, and the lowest sales price was $149,900. Total volume was $30,662,826.
2024 Sales
- 246 single-family home sales; median days on the market was 26, the median sales price was $443,750, the average sales price was $688,112, the highest sales price was $6,300,000, and the lowest sales price was $130,000. Total volume was $169,275,614.
- 63 condo sales; median days on the market was 14, the median sales price was $360,000, the average sales price was $471,803, the highest sales price was $1,630,000, and the lowest sales price was $110,000. Total volume was $29,723,650.
Waterfront Sales Activity:
2025 Lake Winnipesaukee Sales
- 13 Lake Winnipesaukee sales; median days on the market was 91, the median sales price was $2,190,000, the average sales price was $2,602,692, the highest sales price was $5,500,000, and the lowest sales price was $725,000. Total volume was $33,835,000.
2024 Lake Winnipesaukee Sales
- 12 Lake Winnipesaukee sales; median days on the market was 25, the median sales price was $2,284,500, the average sales price was $2,981,333, the highest sales price was $6,300,000, and the lowest sales price was $1,400,000. Total volume was $35,776,000.
2025 Lake Winnisquam Sales
- 5 Lake Winnisquam sales; median days on the market was 16, the median sales price was $1,295,000, the average sales price was $1,302,200, the highest sales price was $2,085,000, and the lowest sales price was $360,000. Total volume was $6,511,000.
2024 Lake Winnisquam Sales
- 2 Lake Winnisquam sales; median days on the market was 82, the median sales price was $1,875,000, the average sales price was $1,875,000, the highest sales price was $2,100,000, and the lowest sales price was $1,650,000. Total volume was $3.750,000.
2025 Newfound Lake Sales
- No Newfound Lake sales.
2024 Newfound Lake Sales
- 2 Newfound Lake sales; median days on the market was 60, the median sales price was $725,000, the average sales price was $725,000, the highest sales price was $1,025,000, and the lowest sales price was $425,000. Total volume was $1,450,000.
Looking at the above, the number of unit sales and sales volume for single-family homes and condominiums stayed consistent when comparing both years to date. However, the median sales price for a single-family home increased 6.8%, and for condominiums, it increased 11.08%.
Lake Winnipesaukee unit sales were consistent; however, the median sales price decreased 4.1% by comparing the 13 sales this year to date.
Lake Winnisquam unit sales increased; however, the median sales price decreased by 30.9%. It’s way too early to get an accurate read, with only 5 sales this year to date. The median sales increased a bit higher.
For Newfound Lake, there were no comparisons with no sales this year to date, indicating a lack of inventory.
The big question moving forward is how the global financial markets, frequent policy shifts and other metrics, and major moves up and down in the stock and bond markets like we saw on Wednesday and Thursday, will affect the average consumer. Based on our recent turbulence, volatility, and uncertainty, it looks like it could be a bumpy road.
This article was written by Frank Roche. Frank is president of Roche Realty Group with offices in Meredith, NH, and can be reached at (603) 279-7046. Data is subject to errors & sourced from Prime MLS. Please feel free to visit www.rocherealty.com to learn more about the Lakes Region and its real estate market.
