What’s up with the real estate market? It’s August 2025 and time for your Upside/Downside Real Estate Report, where I break down what’s really happening in the Northern Massachusetts and Southern New Hampshire market so you can make smarter moves — whether you’re buying, selling, or both.

🔼 The Upside for Sellers

Yes — there are still more buyers than sellers in our Northeast market, but it’s quickly regulating. People still need homes just like yours, and here, we’re still well below pre-pandemic inventory levels. That means the leverage is still largely in your favor, especially if your home is priced right and looks its best.

Homes that are marketed strategically (think: my Seller Mastery Program®) are still selling in under 8 days on average — many above asking price.

🔻 The Downside for Sellers

Here’s the tough love: some sellers are playing this all wrong.
If you’re asking way too much for your home and trying to pay little to nothing for an agent because you think you’ve got it all figured out… you’re setting yourself up for frustration. Overpricing is the fastest way to end up sitting on the market for weeks and then cutting your price.

And remember — buyers are watching, like sharks, circling, waiting…. They can see the homes that sit and the ones that sell fast and they have no problem at all waiting a few weeks until the time is right to CHOMP off your equity legs! Ok yes I just watched Jaws for the 50th anniversary. So glad I got to see that mechanical shark at Universal before it got re-homed.. but I digress..

🔼 The Upside for Buyers

Options!
While inventory is still tight in the Northeast compared to pre-pandemic at a staggering 51% below inventory levels of 2017-2019, it’s improved compared to last year by 15%. Yay! There are more homes to look at — and not all of them are flying off the market. Some are sitting for 2–8 weeks (see above), giving you a chance to negotiate and snag (or chomp) a deal.

Mortgage rates have also been stable between 6.5%–7% since December 2024, giving you predictability. Even a small drop — say, 0.25% — could save you $60+ per month on a $400K loan (double that on an $800K loan, which is realistic for many homes here).

🔻 The Downside for Buyers

Some of you are trying to do this alone — relying on Zillow pop-ups and open house hopping — without a clear strategy or professional guidance. The truth? You don’t know exactly when to pounce (or chomp), when to hold, or how to spot the real deals. Without an agent on your side, you’re more likely to miss opportunities or overpay. Neither of those sound fun, and shopping for a new home IS fun! At least with me anyway, check out my Buyer Mastery Program® to learn more of how I help buyers like you.

📊 Big Picture – The Northeast vs. The National Headlines

You might hear about slowdowns and big inventory spikes — but that’s mostly the South and West.
Here in Northern MA & Southern NH:

  • Inventory is still down from pre-pandemic years, keeping upward pressure on prices.
  • Buyer demand remains steady — especially in move-in ready homes in desirable school districts.
  • Price growth has slowed but hasn’t reversed like it has in some overheated markets elsewhere.

In short — this is still a local market that’s moving differently than the national story. Remember, headlines to more to terrify than to clarify 😉

💡 Final Thoughts:
This is a pro’s market. Whether you’re buying or selling, having the right strategy and representation makes all the difference. For sellers, that means pricing right and maximizing your home’s appeal to capture top-dollar offers quickly. For buyers, it means knowing exactly which homes are worth chasing — and how to win them without overpaying.

And please, please, please hire a pro agent. Did you know 74% of agents did not sell a house last year? Ask yourself, would you hire a brain surgeon who didn’t operate in over a year (or ever)?

That’s a hard pass for me! HBU?

That’s all for this month enjoy the rest of this beautiful summer and I’ll be back next month with another UPSIDE/DOWNSIDE Real Estate Report. -Steph

📲 Call/Text: (978) 641-1114
📧 [email protected]
🌐 SellYourHouseWithSteph.com