Buying a Home in the Merrimack Valley: Local Real Estate Offices

The Merrimack Valley is the most populated part of New Hampshire, and for many people it is where the search for a home begins. Manchester is the largest city in the state, Nashua is second, and Concord, the capital, is third. Around them sit dozens of towns with their own schools, character and price points. If you are looking at real estate in the Merrimack Valley NH market, this guide covers the basics worth knowing and introduces local offices that work in the region.

Whatever the season, the first steps are the same: line up your financing, learn the tax picture, and find an agent who knows the towns you are considering.

The Lay of the Land

Each of the three cities offers something different. Manchester, with 115,644 residents at the 2020 census, sits on the Merrimack River and has the most urban feel. Nashua is the second-largest city, with 91,322 residents. Manchester and Nashua are the two county seats of Hillsborough County. Concord, home to 43,976 people, is the state capital and the seat of Merrimack County.

Beyond the cities, the valley includes suburbs such as Bedford, Hudson, Londonderry, Merrimack and Amherst, as well as the Souhegan Valley towns around Milford. A good local agent can help you compare commutes, school districts and the feel of each community, which is often more important than the listing photos.

Understanding New Hampshire Taxes

One of the first things newcomers ask about is taxes. New Hampshire has no sales tax and no income tax. The state does tax some narrower categories, such as meals, lodging and certain business income. It also has a property tax, which is set under municipal control.

That last point matters for homebuyers. Because property taxes are set locally, they can vary a great deal from one town to the next, even between neighboring communities. When you compare homes, look at the annual property tax bill alongside the asking price, and ask your agent to help you understand how it fits your budget. The town or city office that handles assessments can also answer questions about a specific property before you make an offer.

Help for First-Time Buyers

If this is your first home, you do not have to figure it out alone. Two organizations are worth knowing.

New Hampshire Housing focuses on making homeownership more affordable. It offers a range of homeownership programs, including mortgages, refinancing, and downpayment and closing cost assistance. It also provides homebuyer seminars, online education, and homebuyer and financial counseling. Start there to see whether you qualify for any of its programs before you begin shopping.

NeighborWorks Southern New Hampshire, based at 801 Elm Street in Manchester, works to improve household financial stability through quality, sustainable housing. Alongside developing affordable rental apartments, it provides homeownership and financial wellness education and counseling for first-time homebuyers. Its footprint covers 31 communities in southern New Hampshire. Taking a homebuyer class before you make an offer can make the whole process less stressful.

Local Real Estate Offices

These offices all have a presence in the Merrimack Valley. Talk to more than one and choose the agent you feel most comfortable with.

Concord and the Capital Area

The Hvizda Team helps clients buy and sell real estate in New Hampshire, with featured areas including Manchester and Concord. The team's site offers listing searches, home value estimates and help connecting with financing, which is useful if you are still sorting out your mortgage.

Real 603 Home & Lifestyle Group is based in the Concord area and works across several parts of the state, including the Capital Area, Southern New Hampshire, the Lakes Region, the Seacoast and the White Mountains. The team describes its approach as combining local know-how with a friendly, approachable style, aimed at making buying and selling as easy and stress-free as possible.

Nashua and the Southern Tier

Burke & Cox Real Estate is a husband-and-wife team with Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate The Masiello Group, serving southern New Hampshire from Nashua. A small team can be a good fit for buyers who want to work closely with the same people from first showing to closing.

Pat Clancey Realty in Nashua focuses on New Hampshire real estate, with area pages for Amherst, Bedford, Hudson, Londonderry, Merrimack and Nashua. Its site also includes a rental search, which helps if you plan to rent for a while before you buy.

The Souhegan Valley

Kokko Realty has served the Souhegan Valley from its Nashua Street location in Milford since 1981. The family-run office says it is the longest-standing real estate office in Milford, and it offers property management and rentals as well as sales. Long local history can be a real asset when you are trying to understand a small town. If you are moving from out of state and want to rent before buying, an office that also manages rentals can help with both steps.

Tips for Your Search

• Get prequalified first. Knowing your budget before you tour homes saves time and makes your offers stronger.
• Compare property taxes. Because they are set locally, two similar homes in different towns can have very different annual costs.
• Visit at different times. Drive through a neighborhood on a weekday morning and a weekend evening to see what commuting and daily life feel like.
• Ask about the town. A local agent can explain zoning, schools, town services and anything unusual about a particular street.
• Take a class. New Hampshire Housing and NeighborWorks Southern New Hampshire both offer education for buyers.

Explore the Listings

• The Hvizda Team
• Real 603 Home & Lifestyle Group
• Burke & Cox Real Estate
• Pat Clancey Realty
• Kokko Realty
• NeighborWorks Southern New Hampshire

FAQ

Does New Hampshire have a sales or income tax?

No. New Hampshire has no sales tax and no income tax, but it does have a property tax that is set under municipal control, along with narrower taxes on things like meals and lodging.

Where can first-time buyers get help in the Merrimack Valley?

New Hampshire Housing offers mortgage programs, downpayment and closing cost assistance, and homebuyer education. NeighborWorks Southern New Hampshire in Manchester provides homeownership education and counseling.

Which towns are part of the Merrimack Valley?

The core cities are Manchester, Nashua and Concord, surrounded by suburbs such as Bedford, Hudson, Londonderry, Merrimack and Amherst. Milford is part of the Souhegan Valley, which Kokko Realty has served since 1981.

How do I choose a real estate agent?

Interview more than one. Ask how well they know the towns you are considering, how they communicate, and how they will help you compare homes and property taxes.

Sources

• New Hampshire, Wikipedia (property tax under municipal control; no sales or income tax; taxes on meals, lodging, vehicles and business income): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Hampshire
• Manchester, New Hampshire, Wikipedia (2020 population 115,644): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manchester,_New_Hampshire
• Nashua, New Hampshire, Wikipedia (2020 population 91,322; Hillsborough County seat): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nashua,_New_Hampshire
• Concord, New Hampshire, Wikipedia (2020 population 43,976; capital; Merrimack County seat): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Concord,_New_Hampshire
• New Hampshire Housing, For Homebuyers: https://www.nhhfa.org/homebuyers/
• NeighborWorks Southern New Hampshire: https://www.nwsnh.org
• The Hvizda Team: https://www.hvizdateam.com/
• Real 603 Home & Lifestyle Group: https://www.real603.com/
• Burke & Cox Real Estate: https://burkeandcoxrealestate.masiello.com/
• Pat Clancey Realty: https://www.patclanceyrealty.com
• Kokko Realty: https://www.kokkorealty.com