NH Real Estate & New Hampshire Homes for Sale

Cities & Towns

Select a town name in the list below to view information on specific New Hampshire communities.

When visiting an New Hampshire community you have access to:

The MLS (Multiple Listing Systems) to search for NH real estate and foreclosure listings in particular community and the surrounding area
Community Profiles and Historic Information
Virtual Community Tours
School and Demographic Information
Home Buyer, Home Seller and Relocation Guides and Report

Local NH real estate professionals will provide additional community information that you may request.

Buying & Selling Real Estate In NH

The New Hampshire Real Estate Market

NH Real Estate Market Report - First Quarter 2010
Merrimack County Real Estate Market Report - First Quarter 2010

Transfer Tax

Although there is no sales tax in the state of NH, there is a transfer tax on property transfers. Both buyer and seller are responsible for paying an equal portion. Each party pays $7.50 per every $1,000 of the sale price. This amount is paid at closing.

Real Estate Property Taxes

Property tax rates vary by city/town and may change on an annual basis. View information on 2009 property tax rates. The town assessor's office is responsible for determining tax values.

Tax bills are not based on a calendar year, but instead a fiscal year of April 1st through March 31st. Bills are issued twice a year (June and December) and cover months before and after the issue date. The June bill covers April 1st through September 30th; the December bill covers October 1st through March 31st. In many cases, the June bill is an estimated tax as towns do not finalize their tax rate until December with that rate applying to the entire fiscal year. As a result, if you purchase a home during the year, your prorated taxes may be based on an estimated amount.

Real Estate Agents

Agents (both buyer agents and listing agents) must be licensed by the NH Real Estate Commission. All agents at Virtual Homes are also members of the Board of Realtors and abide by a strict code of ethics and conduct.

Homes for Sale

New Hampshire is part of the Northern New England Real Estate Network Multiple Listing System (MLS). Through our town real estate websites, you can access all homes for sale in MLS.

Overview

Quality of life is the reason many newcomers cite for moving to New Hampshire. Whether you enjoy the conveniences of living in a small city or the charm of country villages, it's all at your fingertips. New Hampshire is an area where neighbor knows neighbor, where strong ties develop within a community, where friendships endure. There is an unmistakable feeling of COMING HOME, where the beauty of the land overwhelms you and makes you want to live here forever.

The State emerged as a "watering spot" for visitors with summer homes and later became a local mecca for people of every taste and income because its myriad of attractions were so accessible to major metropolitan centers of the eastern seaboard. Southern NH sprang to life in the sixties when modern industries replaced the fading textile mills and major interstate highways were completed.

Tucked into a corner of the northeastern United States, the state is the most mountainous of the six contiguous states which comprise New England. One third of the state has an elevation of 2,000 feet or more and eighty-five percent of its land is forested, especially in the North Country.

Shaped like a right triangle, the "Granite State" shares a boundary with the Canadian province of Quebec to the north, the winding Connecticut River and the state of Vermont to the west, the state of Maine and the Atlantic Ocean to the ease, and Massachusetts to the south.

But that's not all... it's region steeped in tradition, settled in 1623 under the authority of an English land grant and named after Hampshire, England. In the late nineteenth century, a more industrialized state attracted French Canadians to the many new jobs available in the bustling textile mills. The French influence pervades the region, witnessed by the sign at the southern border which reads, "Welcome to New Hampshire" above the French "Bienvenue Au New Hampshire." But many other factors make the state attractive.

Facts

One of the 13 original states, New Hampshire was settled in 1623. It became a Royal Province in 1679 and was first to declare independence of Britain in early 1776.

9,304 square miles
324 towns and cities
18 miles of Atlantic Ocean coastline
40,000 miles of streams
2,000 lakes and ponds
182 mountains over 3,000 feet
768,000 acres of White Mountain National Forest
33 camping or picnic sites in the White Mountain National Forest
1,300 miles of hiking trails in the White Mountains
250 "Bed and Breakfast" inns
6,000 miles of groomed snowmobiling trails
1,500 inns, motels, hotels, resorts, cottage colonies
175 campgrounds with more than 16,000 campsites
32 State Parks and one Country Area
54 covered bridges
Home of the Appalachian Mountain Club
40 huts and shelters for hikers
5 peaks are over a mile high
31 major ski touring centers
Major summer theatrical and musical events at Hanover, Durham, Bretton Woods, Portsmouth, North Conway, Manchester and Jaffrey
Historic buildings, museums and large art galleries open to visitors

Climate

The weather in NH is as varied as its terrain, featuring a special four-season appeal. We have a very popular saying here… "Don't like the weather? Wait a minute, it will change."

Winter

The winters differ in their severity, with January and February usually being the coldest and snowier months with the average snowfall being about 40 inches annually. Average winter temperatures range from mid-teens to mid-20s, depending on how far north you are. Winter usually takes place from November to April, with snow attracting visitors to the area to ski, snowshoe and snowmobile.

Although there are some periods of mid-40 degree temperatures and sunshine, the best bet is to have a good warm jacket, sweaters, gloves and a winter hat, as well as an ice scraper for your car!

There is a good chance that you will have a beautiful white holiday season here in New Hampshire, and the cool air provides some of the best stargazing of the year. Imagine having a warm cup of hot chocolate, bundled up with a blanket in front of a fireplace after a long day of winter sports. Welcome to winter in NH!

Spring

April usually signals the warming trend with apple blossom festivals and maple sugaring just around the corner. Average spring temperatures hover around the 50s and 60s — perfect weather for spring skiing without a jacket and biking or hiking one of our many breathtaking trails. Migrating birds begin to return to the area, leaves begin to bud on the trees, and annual flowers begin to pop out of the ground.

Although a late snowfall is possible, it is also quite possible to open up the windows in your house and cars to enjoy temperatures up to 70 degrees! Light jackets or sweaters are appropriate attire for enjoying baseball's opening day in New Hampshire.

Summer

Temperatures begin to rise in June, just as kids are getting out of school for summer vacation.

Average summer temperatures in the state range from the 60s to the 80s, sometimes soaring much higher, but humidity generally tends to stay quite low.

The Lakes Region and Seacoast Region draw visitors from everywhere, as do the hundreds of campgrounds all over the state. The White Mountains and the Seacoast tend to stay cooler, providing the perfect temperatures for exploring mountain streams and trails or for playing beach volleyball and frolicking in the ocean.

Lightweight clothes or shorts are usually quite comfortable during the day, and you may find it handy to have a light sweater after the sun goes down during the summer.

Fall

In September and October, days become cooler, and the leaves explode into a collage of magnificent colors painting the landscape with some of the most gorgeous foliage in the country. Average temperatures range anywhere from the 40s to the 60s, depending on the day and what part of the state you're in.

Special tours have been set up to bring people from all over to NH to experience this beautiful time of year. Don't be surprised to find yourself surrounded by out-of-state license plates on the road as others come here to see nature's artwork for themselves.

At night you will start to see smoke coming out of chimneys, as the air can get quite brisk. Sweaters or long sleeve shirts are quite often perfectly comfortable during the day, but you will probably want to have a jacket on hand at night, and an ice scraper for your car nearby in preparation for the first frost!

Note: Source – WMUR TV Channel 9 Manchester, NH Weather Department

http://www.nhliving.com/weather/index.shtml
State Weather Data
http://vortex.plymouth.edu/
http://www.thewmurchannel.com/weather/index.html
Weather Underground
http://www.visitnh.gov/weather.html
http://www.jwbks.com/wx/weather/Current_Conditions.htm
http://home.stny.rr.com/twobrews/Wx_web/nh_wx.htm
State Website Weather
Coastal Tide Information
Road Conditions
http://www.homeland.com/nh/weather/
Hiking Info
State Weather
Farmer's Almanac

Population

The state population is just over 1.3 million people. We are a state that is proud of its small communities — only 1% of our towns and cities have more than 50,000 residents. The majority of our communities — 78% — have populations of less than 5,000 people.

However, the state's population is growing faster than any other state in New England, and ranks tenth in the nation for population growth. The popularity of the four southeastern counties, Hillsborough, Merrimack, Rockingham and Strafford, is evident, as most growth in the near future is expected to be in these counties. The fastest growing age group (third in the nation) from 2000-2003 was residents ages 18-24.

Most new residents seem to be moving to the communities that are closest to the highways, as the commute to Massachusetts is quite manageable from these towns. Another popular relocation destination is the Lakes Region, simply for the fact that it is one of the most beautiful areas in the country.

NH population estimates by county for 2005 are as follows:
Belknap – 56,000
Carroll – 45,000
Cheshire – 77,000
Coos – 36,000
Grafton – 83,000
Hillsborough – 399,000
Merrimack – 137,000
Rockingham – 313,000
Strafford – 119,000
Sullivan – 42,000

State Information
http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/33000.html
State Statistics
Town Profile Information
State Population Information

Government

"On Jan. 5, 1776, six months before the people of the United States claimed self-government, the people of the state gave this country its first state constitution."

Concord in the capitol of NH, and is situated along the Merrimack River in the south central portion of the state.

The state government has three branches:

Executive

The Governor serves as Chief Executive.
He/She is assisted by a five-member council.
- The District 1 councilor represents all the towns and cities in Coos and Grafton counties as well as the cities and towns of Albany, Alton, Bartlett, Belmont, Center Harbor, Charlestown, Chatham, Claremont, Conway, Cornish, Croydon, Eaton, Effingham, Freedom, Gilford, Grantham, Hale's Location (unincorporated place), Hart's Location, Jackson, Laconia, Madison, Meredith, Moultonborough, New Hampton, Newport, Ossipee, Plainfield, Sanbornton, Sandwich, Springfield, Sunapee, Tamworth, Tilton, Tuftonboro, Wakefield, and Wolfeboro.
- The District 2 councilor represents the cities and towns of Acworth, Allenstown, Alstead, Andover, Antrim, Barnstead, Bennington, Boscawen, Bow, Bradford, Brookfield, Canterbury, Chesterfield, Chichester, Concord, Danbury, Deerfield, Deering, Dublin, Epsom, Farmington, Francestown, Franklin, Gilmanton, Gilsum, Goshen, Greenfield, Hancock, Harrisville, Henniker, Hill, Hillsborough, Hopkinton, Langdon, Lempster, Loudon, Marlborough, Marlow, Middleton, Milton, Nelson, New Durham, Newbury, New London, Northfield, Northwood, Pembroke, Pittsfield, Rollinsford, Rochester, Roxbury, Salisbury, Somersworth, Stoddard, Strafford, Sullivan, Surry, Sutton, Unity, Walpole , Warner, Washington, Weare, Webster, Westmoreland, Wilmot, and Windsor.
- The District 3 councilor represents the cities and towns of Atkinson, Barrington, Brentwood, Chester, Danville, Dover, Durham, East Kingston, Epping, Exeter, Fremont, Greenland, Hampstead, Hampton, Hampton Falls, Kensington, Kingston, Lee, Madbury, New Castle, Newfields, Newington, Newmarket, Newton, North Hampton, Nottingham, Plaistow, Portsmouth, Rye, Salem, Sandown, Seabrook, South Hampton, Stratham, and Windham.
- The District 4 councilor represents the cities and towns of Auburn, Bedford, Candia, Derry, Hooksett, Hudson, Litchfield, Londonderry, Manchester, Pelham, and Raymond.
- The District 5 councilor represents the cities and towns of Amherst, Brookline, Dunbarton, Fitzwilliam, Goffstown, Greenville, Hinsdale, Hollis, Jaffrey, Keene, Lyndeborough, Mason, Merrimack, Milford, Mont Vernon, Nashua, New Boston, New Ipswich, Peterborough, Richmond, Rindge, Sharon, Swanzey, Temple, Troy, Wilton, and Winchester.
- All state agencies are also included in the Executive branch

Legislative

The Senate has 24 members:
- The leadership consists of Senate president, president pro tem, the majority leader, the deputy majority leader and the majority whip.
  - The Senate districts are based on population.
  - Since NH does not have a Lieutenant Governor, the Senate President acts as governor when the governor is unable to perform his/her duties or is out of town.
- The House of Representatives has 400 members, smaller than only TWO other parliamentary bodies in the English-speaking world — the US Congress and Britain's Parliament.
  - In 1776, it was decided that there would be once representative for every 100 families. In 1942, it was decided that the maximum number of members would be 400, but no less than 375.
  - The leadership consists of speaker of the House, deputy speaker of the House, majority leader, deputy majority leader, and minority leader and deputy minority leader.
    - Other leadership positions include majority whip and minority whip, among others.

Judicial

The Supreme Court is the only appellate court in the state, and is located in Concord.
There is a Superior Court location in every county in NH, except for Hillsborough County, which has two locations.
There is a Probate Court in every county.
There are 34 District Courts in NH.
There are 8 Family Division Courts, and all are located in Grafton and Rockingham counties.

The city governments are mayoral, but the small towns still are governed by the traditional town meeting. Town meetings are held each spring and give each citizen an opportunity to review each item in the town's budget.

General Court for the House
General Court
Judiciary Court Locations

Taxes

Income Tax

There is no state income tax.

If you live in the state but work in nearby Massachusetts or Maine, your income is taxed by the state in which you work.

Sales Tax

There is no general sales tax.

Interest and Dividend Tax

A tax on income from interest and dividends exceeding $2400 annually ($4,800 jointly) is assessed at the rate of 5%.
Interest on bank savings is not taxed.
Exemptions do apply:
- $1200 for residents who are aged 65+
- $1200 for residents who are blind; and
- $1200 for disabled residents who cannot work, younger than 65

Inheritance and Estate Tax

Upon death, an 18% tax is assessed on both probate and non-probate assets, including those passed through trust.

Business Profits Tax

An 8.5% tax on income from in-state business is assessed.
Multi-state businesses have their income apportioned. A weighted sales factor of 2 is used, as are payroll and property factors.
Unitary business will need to use combined reporting when filing their state return.

Business Enterprise Tax

All compensation and interest, paid or accrued, as well as all dividends paid after special adjustments and apportionment is assessed a .75% tax.

Communication Services Tax

All two-way communication services are assessed a 7% tax

Electricity Consumption

A tax of $.00055 per kilowatt hour of electricity used is assessed on consumers.

Meals and Rentals Tax

On any room or meal costing at least $.36, and 8% tax is assessed.
Motor vehicle rentals are also assessed an 8% tax.

Tobacco Tax

Each pack of 20 cigarettes is assessed a $.52 tax, and packs of 25 cigarettes are assessed a $.65 tax.
Smokeless tobacco products are assessed a comparable tax rate.

Real Estate Transfer Tax

A tax of $.75 per $100 of the price (consideration) of the property is assessed.

State Education Property Tax

As of April 1, 2005, the tax is $3.33 per $1,000 of total equalized valuation.
This tax is assessed and collected by local municipalities.

Local Property Tax

Based upon assessed valuation.
Collected, assessed and levied by municipalities.
Exemptions, deferrals or credit may apply:
- Elderly Exemption;
- Tax Exemption for the Physically Handicapped;
- Deferral for the Elderly and Disabled;
- Veterans Tax Credit;
- Blind Exemption; Disabled Exemption; and
- Tax Exemption for Wind-powered, Solar and Wood-heating Energy Systems.

Other Taxes Include:

Timber Tax
Gravel Tax

State Revenue Information
State Revenue Forms
Property Taxes
http://www.nh.gov/residents/index.html/health.html

Education

School districts are administrated by local school boards which have the authority to make all necessary rules and regulations of the government, organization and grading in the school district. Public school systems in the state include elementary, middle, junior and senior high schools and vocational centers. Kindergarten programs are not mandated by the state; local school boards determine if a child must be 6 years old by September 30 of the current school term in order to enroll for first grade. However, there is some variation between school districts; therefore, checking with your district for the dates is important.

Elementary and secondary parochial school systems exist in the larger cities. Many private secular schools provide a fine alternative to the public school system. General information about schools can be obtained by contacting the Department of Education, State Office Park South, 101 Pleasant Street, Concord, NH 03301, (603) 271-3494, http://www.state.nh.us/education/college.html.

Higher education is provided through the numerous fine colleges and universities throughout the state. Perhaps the most famous is Dartmouth College, located in Hanover on the western border of the state, minutes from Vermont. The University of New Hampshire has over 12,000 students at its campus located in the seacoast community of Durham. Several other public colleges provide a variety of educational opportunities. Private colleges include St. Anslem College in Manchester, New England College in Henniker, Colby-Sawyer College in New London and Rivier College in Nashua. Two-year, state-funded vocational colleges are conveniently located in major population centers.

State Education Information
State Enrollment
Education Department Public School Information

Shopping for a new school? Start in the Principal's office!

If you're facing a move, looking for a new home for your family, you pick up the phone and call a rental agent or realtor. Whom do you call to locate the best school for your child? The principal of course.

The principal sets the tones for the school. Parents should feel welcome and sense warmth the minute they walk through the school door. Look beyond the test scores, while these numbers are important, scores alone do not measure how a school functions.

It is recommended that parents consider the following when searching for the best school for their child:

Write or call the school districts in the area where you will be moving. Ask for a prospectus. This will describe the system's educational goals, plus give all the statistics about the schools: how many students, average size of schools and classes, curricular opportunities. It will highlight what's unique about the system, its strengths.
Next, locate a few schools in the neighborhoods you like and where you can afford to live. Make appointments with the principals.
Ask the principal for the name and phone number of a parent whose children are in the school now and for another whose children have graduated. Call them. Are they satisfied that the school serves the individual needs of their children? Were they involved and informed regarding their child's progress or problems? How receptive or responsive are the principal and staff?
Be observant during your school tours. Do you feel welcome? Do children seem well supervised and happy? Is the building pleasant? Are the walls of the school filled with artwork and projects produced by the students? Do children and teachers seem happy and friendly? Is there a sense of warmth? Would you like to spend several more hours in this school everyday?

This article was adapted from a similar publication of the National Association of Elementary School Principals in Alexandria, WA on June 22, 1990.

http://www.metrodaycare.com/pages/search.asp
http://www.directorynh.com/NHPersonalServices/NHChildcare.html
http://www.directorynh.com/NHEducation-Instruction/NHPreschool.html

Licenses and Fees

Department of Motor Vehicles Drive License Information
Department of Motor Vehicles Automobile Registration Information
http://www.wildlife.state.nh.us/Licensing/fees_and_requirements.htm
http://www.nhboatingeducation.com/links.html
Off-Highway Recreational Vehicles Regulations
Vital Record Information
Gun Permits
Business Licenses
http://www.state.nh.us/liquor/enforcement.shtml#top