I got this question the other day: “Is now a good time to sell in one of our local towns?”
It struck me as the perfect prompt to dive into what’s happening in some of the key Upper Valley communities we serve. While each town—like Lebanon, Enfield, Hanover, Hartford, Norwich, Lyme, and Grantham—has its own nuances, the overall message is consistent across the region.
Buyer demand remains strong. Homes that are:
- Priced appropriately for their perceived value,
- In good condition for the price point, and
- Well-staged for showings
are still moving quickly.
That said, we’re not in the same frenzied market we saw at the peak of COVID. Buyers are more discerning. Homes priced too high—especially those needing work or out of line with local comps—are sitting longer and often require price reductions before attracting serious interest.
The takeaway?
Price it right from the start, and you’ll likely have success. Now’s not the time to get overly aggressive and “shoot for the stars.” Overpricing could lead to more days on market and ultimately a lower sale price than if you’d priced it competitively and let buyers bid it up.
Below, I’ve broken down some recent market data from a few local towns. It’s useful whether you’re a seller looking to time the market—or a buyer trying to understand the dynamics in the area.
Enjoy!
📍 New Hampshire Towns
Lebanon
- Zillow reports an average home value of about $457 K, up ~3.5 % year-over-year
- Median listing price (May): $474 K, up 0.9% MoM, with 19 homes on the market (+111% vs April)
- homes selling in ~8 days, limited inventory → very competitive
- Bottom line: Sellers with well-priced, move-in-ready homes in the $350–450 K range are seeing fast sales and often multiple offers.
Hanover
- Full-year 2024 median around $996 K–1.15 M
- March 2025 snapshots showed explosive growth: median jumped to about $1.28 M (+150% YoY), inventory down ~46%.
- May 2025 listings: 35 active homes, average price ~$1.25 M, median ~$1.01 M (↑ ~25% MoM)
- FY2024 closed homes: median ~$996 K,
- Average days on market ~33
- Demand remains strong, but sellers are now seeing offers closer to asking rather than well above.
Enfield
- Median price around $632 K, up ~18% YoY; inventory limited, few closings
- A seller’s market with strong pricing power—especially for quality listings.
Grantham
- Recent slowdown: no March closings, pending sales up 150%, median ~$517 K (−20% YoY), days on market ~126
- Market gaining momentum—sellers with strong listings may still benefit from fresh spring activity.
Lyme
- Not heavily cited in recent trend reports, but generally aligned with Upper Valley dynamics—stable demand for well-presented properties.
📍 Vermont Towns
Hartford
- April 2025: median listing ~$454.5 K, selling median ~$503.5 K, about 3.4% below ask → slight buyer’s market
- Median listing price (May): $450 K, down 2% MoM;
- 35 active listings (+52% vs April);
- Avg time on market ~60 days
Norwich
- Recent trend show increasing inventory (~7.6 months’ supply),
- longer days on market (~50 days), only 2 sales pending in June versus 5 last year
- Higher-end listings still move, but sellers must price accurately and expect a longer timeline.
- Median listing price (May): $1.185 M (–4.8% MoM);
- inventory remains tiny with only ~3 homes for sale (+50% MoM)
- Zillow average home value: $779 K (–1.2% YoY)
Vermont overall
- Housing supply is rising (29%+ new listings), though prices remain “stubbornly high”
- Seller’s market continues statewide, but momentum is shifting toward balance.
🧭 Should You Sell Now in Upper Valley?
- Timing & Seasonality
Spring through early summer is traditionally the busiest—and often the best—season to list a home in both New Hampshire and Vermont. That said, there are a few key windows to be aware of.- One time we don’t typically recommend listing is right around the Fourth of July. Things tend to slow down with people traveling or focused on the holiday. If you’re close to that window, you’re often better off listing before or after the holiday week.
- Another slower stretch is the period between Thanksgiving and the end of the year. Buyer activity tends to dip during the holidays, and homes listed in that timeframe can linger longer.
- That said, if you have to sell during one of those off-peak periods, it’s still very possible to find success—especially in a market with strong buyer demand like we’re seeing now. In fact, listing during a quieter time can help you stand out with less competition from other sellers. Just be mindful of your pricing strategy. You likely won’t get a “June price” in December, so it’s important to align your price with the season and buyer mindset.
- Pricing Strategy
- Strong markets like Hanover, Lebanon, and Enfield reward competitively priced, turnkey listings.
- In price-sensitive areas (Grantham, Norwich), overpriced homes may linger—accurate pricing is key.
- Mortgage Rates & Buyer Demand
- High mortgage rates (~6–7%) continue to impact buyer behavior.
- Many sellers locked into low rates hesitate to move, limiting inventory and sustaining seller leverage .
- Inventory Trends
- NH: inventory tight in Lebanon/Enfield, loosening slightly in Hanover (~57% more listings but still strong demand) .
- VT: statewide rise in listings, but still relatively low supply, keeping downward pressure on prices modest .
Key Takeaways (with May data)
- Lebanon: Slight MoM price bump, inventory more than doubled, but values remain +4% YoY.
- Hanover: Luxury market remains robust—prices rising, but inventory slim.
- Hartford: Listing prices slipping slightly, but choice increasing—sellers face moderate timeline.
- Norwich: High prices ($1.1–1.18 M), tiny inventory, under-asking sales—expect long listing periods.
- Enfield, Grantham, Lyme: No fresh May stats, but still follow Upper Valley patterns: strong demand but pricing nuance needed in cooling segments.
✅ Final Takeaways by Town
| Town | Market Type | Seller Advice |
| Lebanon | Seller’s market | List competitively—well-priced homes move quickly |
| Hanover | Hot market | Now is a strong time—with high demand and luxury pricing |
| Enfield | Limited supply | Good momentum for sellers with quality listings |
| Grantham | Emerging market | Price realistically; spring could bring offers |
| Hartford | Slight buyer’s | Sellers must price well; buyers have negotiation leverage |
| Norwich | Cooling market | Expect longer days; accurate pricing is essential |
| Lyme | Stable market | List in spring; price right for steady interest |
💡 Overall: Is Now a Good Time to Sell?
Yes—but only if your home is well-maintained, properly staged, and competitively priced. LHomes in Lebanon, Hanover, Enfield, and Lyme are seeing strong activity right now. In towns like Grantham, Hartford, and Norwich, sellers who price smart and stage well can still attract good offers, though pricing and timing are even more important.
Next Steps
- Get a local CMA (comparative market analysis)—focus on your specific town and neighborhood.
- Consult a trusted agent who knows the Upper Valley market intimately.
- Prepare your home for sale: inspections, staging, and minor updates can boost appeal.
Let me know if you’d like help finding a real estate professional or getting tailored market data!
Data Sources Used
🔹 Zillow
- Home value estimates and year-over-year trends for:
- Lebanon, NH
- Hanover, NH
- Enfield, NH
- Norwich, VT
- Example: Enfield Zestimate average: $437,000 (+5% YoY)
🔹 Rocket Homes
- Monthly market snapshots for May 2025:
- Enfield median list price: $549,900 (−8.3% MoM)
- Enfield DOM: 24 days
- Sale volume and pricing data (e.g. 1 sale at $690K)
🔹 Realtor.com
- Median list prices, inventory levels, and days on market for:
- Lebanon, NH
- Grantham, NH
- Hartford, VT
- Norwich, VT
- Enfield, NH (cross-referenced with Rocket)
- Example: Enfield median list: $599,900, 8 homes on market
🔹 New England Real Estate Network (NEREN) Reports
- Market-by-market updates through local MLS (April & May 2025)
- Town-specific median sale prices and YoY trends (e.g. Hanover, Lebanon, Grantham)
🔹 Redfin
- Supplemental price and inventory insights
- Useful for Norwich and Hanover for DOM and market comparisons
