Good Things Take Time: Your Wicked Moxie Is Here
The Friday Footnote 1.10.25
Friends!
The hardest thing about writing tiny personal notes at the beginning of these Friday Footnotes is that since December 10th, most of my days have been wearing pajamas, sitting in bed, my ankle elevated above my head, my cat snoozing beside me, while I munch on Oxycodone like Christmas caramel Popcorn.
The view doesn’t really change much.
My wife brings me coffee in the morning before she leaves for work. My oldest daughter keeps me fed during the day. And my youngest, they are the only one in the household that pops up to chat with me for no good reason other than to chat with me.
That first week post-op was amazing though. I can’t thank Robin Baker and Barbara and Randy Hoover (where did you get the caramel/coffee chocolates??) for bringing cassarole for the family. That made logistics run smooth.
Other people have stepped up to the plate with me only having barely known them. Jill Colby-Re of East Key Realty blew me away with her service for my buyer whose new home we closed on this past Wednesday. And, I’ve picked up new clients along the way, even though they are fully aware of the ankle situation.
So. Even though I’m still hanging out in bed, I’m also still open for business.
In the real estate market
(I sound a bit like a broken record but) housing affordability and accessibility remain critical issues in New Hampshire, as outlined in recent House committee discussions. New Hampshire home prices doubled the national average and rental rates have climbed 30% since 2019. Statewide, New Hampshire’s real estate market has seen a spike in valuations over the past five years, driven by rising demand and limited supply. For some hard numbers:
Currently, in the Seacoast region, there are 225 single-family homes for sale.
Lowest price point: $150,000 (a literal shed).
Highest list price: $11,950,000.
Average price: $1,101,751.
Median price: $775,000.
Over the past six months, 740 real estate transactions have closed:
Lowest closing price: $87,000 for a 1987 manufactured home in Danville, originally listed at $93,000.
Highest closing price: $10,500,000 for a property on Ocean Boulevard in North Hampton.
Average closed price: $770,496.
Median closed price: $608,500.
Statewide, there are 1,246 single-family homes for sale:
Lowest price point: $39,900 for a 1971 manufactured home in Gorham.
Highest price point: $11,950,000.
Average price: $811,570.
Median price: $599,900.
Days on market:
Highest: 899 days.
Lowest: 0 days.
Average: 88 days.
Median: 69 days.
In the last six months across New Hampshire, there were 4,095 real estate transactions:
Lowest closing price: $20,000 for a 766-square-foot, 3-bedroom, 1-bath home on 12 Breezy Knoll in Hinsdale, likely in teardown condition.
Highest closing price: $10,500,000.
Median closing price: $499,999.
Days on market for closed properties:
Highest: 142 days.
Lowest: 0 days.
Average: 16 days.
Median: 8 days.
What do these numbers mean? Well, while many still consider six months of inventory a healthy real estate market, the reality is that six months hasn't really been the dependable benchmark we’ve come to know. A more realistic figure is closer to four months. In either case—whether you see a healthy market as six months worth of inventory or four months of inventory, at the current pace, if no new listings were added, we’d run out of available homes in under two months in both the Seacoast region and across New Hampshire as a whole.
Governor Kelly Ayotte has acknowledged housing as one of New Hampshire's most pressing challenges. Her administration plans to tackle the crisis by streamlining state permitting processes, committing to a 60-day turnaround for new housing projects. She also aims to partner with local communities to address infrastructure needs and expand public-private collaboration to accelerate development.
However her proposals need to be backed by concrete action to deliver meaningful results. As the market tightens further, even small delays can have significant impacts on affordability and access.
I’ve already written about the recent property revaluations in Rochester.
During the city’s mandated revaluation process, as all New Hampshire municipilties are required to do, mobile homes saw a 208% average increase in assessed values, while condo values rose by 94%. By comparison, single-family homes experienced a 73% increase.
Cooperatives like Hideaway Village, led by Kevin Brigham, are advocating for fairer assessments. Brigham and other cooperative leaders are working to present a united front against what they see as unfair treatment of mobile home residents.
As these tax burdens mount, some residents are calling for reforms to property assessment practices, such as linking assessments to cost-of-living indices or implementing caps on annual increases. These approaches aim to protect low-income and fixed-income residents from sudden tax spikes. Rochester has taken some steps in this direction by increasing exemptions for elderly, disabled, and veteran residents, reducing the city’s taxable property values by $58 million over the past two years.
An additional state measure is on the table as well: a property tax waiver allowing municipalities to exempt disabled veterans from local taxes entirely.
Advocates for the tax waiver argue that veterans, especially those with disabilities incurred during service, deserve policies that uphold their dignity and ensure their financial stability. Many veterans live in housing that they worked hard to secure, but sudden increases in property valuations—like those seen in Rochester and elsewhere in the state—can destabilize even the most well-planned budgets.
By offering a property tax exemption, municipalities could directly address the financial pressures that threaten housing security for disabled veterans.
The proposed waiver does raise important questions:
Local Control vs. Uniformity: The proposal allows municipalities to decide whether to adopt the exemption. While this provides flexibility, it may result in unequal application across the state, leaving some veterans without relief depending on where they live. Or, giving them reason to move to the town next door.
Tax Revenue Implications: Exemptions reduce the overall tax base, potentially shifting the burden to other property owners. Municipalities must weigh the benefits to veterans against the impact on their budgets and other residents.
Implementation Challenges: Determining eligibility, processing applications, and ensuring transparency in granting exemptions require administrative resources and oversight.
In broader terms, this tax waiver reflects a growing recognition of the intersection between housing affordability and social equity.
I think it’s important to remember that New Hampshire’s housing market isn’t just a set of data points—it’s a reflection of deeper societal values and priorities. Housing affordability touches every corner of the state, from the single-family homes on Ocean Boulevard to the mobile homes in Rochester’s cooperatives. The numbers tell one story, but the people living the numbers tell another. And if we’re not sharing more than the numbers, we are missing out on our humanity.
So, as we continue to debate policies and push for reforms, we are deciding what kind of community we want to build. Will it be one where veterans can stay rooted in homes they fought to protect, where tax assessments are fair and humane, and where housing isn’t just a luxury for the few but a foundation for the many? Or will we let opportunity slip away as affordability becomes an artifact of the past?
New Hampshire’s future depends on how well we listen—and how boldly we act.
The Wicked Moxie
The following essay discusses themes of sexual abuse, childhood trauma, incest, domestic violence, and the challenges of navigating their aftermath, including institutional failures and personal guilt. While the stories shared ultimately center on resilience and reclamation, some details may be distressing or triggering for readers. Please take care of yourself as you engage with this content.
Throwing Ink like Pollock: Reclaiming Strength Piece by Piece
A conversation with Danielle Festa of The Aplomb Project & Gallery
In a quiet corner of Dover, NH, Danielle Festa’s Aplomb Project is turning the intimate pain of trauma into transformative art. Her mixed-media portraits honor survivors by weaving their stories of resilience into bold, dignified creations. Danielle’s work isn’t just about art—it’s about reclaiming strength. With paint, embroidery, and raw emotion, she gives survivors a way to see themselves in a new light. One piece, Taken. Found., portrays her cousin Sue, who survived decades of silence after enduring incestuous sexual abuse. Danielle’s anger and heartbreak poured into the piece, creating something as fierce as it is hopeful: “You reclaim yourself, piece by piece; you rebuild with love, anger, and resilience.”
The Aplomb Project’s reach goes far beyond Dover, drawing survivors and advocates from across the country. Each portrait tells a story of light and shadow, vulnerability and courage, past and future. There’s Sravya, who saw only darkness behind a screen door but now steps forward bathed in gold light. There’s Hope Jai, reclaiming painful memories with a bold red jacket and a direct gaze. And there’s Danielle herself, diagnosed with an aggressive cancer just weeks before a major exhibit, who used her own battles to inspire others. Her work creates a space where survivors feel seen, stories are celebrated, and strength is rebuilt one brushstroke at a time.
Danielle’s work asks an impossible question: How do you go on being when the world has shattered around you? And her art offers an answer. But the most surprising part of her story may not be on the canvas—it might just be what happened during our interview. Click here to read the full essay and discover why I couldn’t hold back my own story.
Do you have suggestions for who else we should write about? Let me know!
About Town
In Dover
Thursday, January 23, 6:30-8:30 PM: Cocheco River Writers
Join a community of local writers with Cocheco River Writers! This group meets the 4th Thursday of every month at 6:30 PM and welcomes all skill levels. Discuss ideas, get tips, and share your work with others in a low-key, inviting atmosphere. Whether you want to write creatively for fun or for publication, this group is a great way to hone your craft! This group will be meeting in Room 306 of the McConnell Center.
Saturday, January 25, 6:30pm to 9pm: An Evening of Acoustic Music w/The Writeful Heirs + Darien Castro
The Milk St. Studios features The Writeful Heirs and Darien Castro. This will be presented like a listening party in an intimate setting that caters specifically to music lovers. The event is open to all ages. Come early to enjoy snacks and play some ping-pong and games in the Showroom, while they spin some vinyl for the pre-show hang. The Writeful Heirs would loosely describe their music as a mix of Americana, classic rock, psychedelic, and 80's alternative rock. Darien Castro is a performer that blends elements of indie-pop, folk, and R&B in her music.
Saturday, January 25, 4pm: Art Talk with Kingston Artist Mike L’Antigua with Interactive Q&A to follow.
Tuesday, Feburary 4, 5pm to 8pm: Woodman Winter Warm-up
Chapel + Main for a fun night out with live music from Gnarly Darling, drinks, appetizers, raffle prizes, and more! All proceeds from this event will go to The Woodman Museum. Tickets are $75 and can be purchased here.
In Portsmouth
Sunday, January 19, Noon and 5pm: Blues Brunch with Bees Deluxe at the Press Room
Saturday, January 25, 7:30pm: Reed Foehl at The Music Hall
Saturday, January 25, 7pm: The Kenny Brothers Band with Foxglove upstairs at the Press Room
Wednesday, January 29, Doors open at 7pm, show begins 8pm: Chuck Prophet and his Cumbia Shoes at 3s Artspace
Saturday, February 8, 7:30pm: Juanito Pascual (flamenco) at The Music Hall, Portsmouth NH ~! 7:30pm ET ~
In Rochester
Thursday, January 30: Beating the Winter Blues
This winter, at the Rochester Public Library gain insight into depression and discover methods to effectively manage it. Build life-long strategies that can support you through the challenges of dealing with depression. Registration is required & will open at a later date.
Saturday, Feburary 1: Hearts on Main Street
Create your very own Heart on Main Street at the Love Clinic! Decorate a 12" x 10.8" red heart with a custom, family-friendly message (up to 25 characters). Your heart will be displayed throughout downtown Rochester, inside businesses and around Central Square, from February 1st to 14th. Hearts are $25 each.
Have an event you would like to share? Email the details to sbargdill@kw.com and I’ll stick it on the list!
PROPERTY OF THE WEEK
67 Depot Road, East Kingston, NH 03827
🛏️3 Beds, 🛁2 Baths, 📏1,797sq ft, $569,900
The front of the house welcomes you with a quaint farmer's porch. Inside you will find an updated, eat-in kitchen featuring built-ins, a gas range, a farmhouse sink, granite countertops, and a butcher block breakfast bar. A convenient mudroom off the kitchen helps keep your home organized and tidy. The kitchen opens into a family room with cathedral ceilings, exposed wood beams, and a cozy pellet stove. Glass sliders lead to a large composite deck that overlooks a partially fenced-in backyard. The first floor includes a spacious living room and dining room, both with wood floors. Upstairs, you'll find 3 bedrooms, including one with wainscoting paneling and wallpaper. The primary bedroom features a ¾ en suite bath and a walk-in closet. The second floor showcases bamboo wood flooring. Additional highlights include Metal roof, Central A/C, 1-car detached garage, a chicken coop, and a fantastic location within the sought-after Exeter School District (SAU #16).
QUOTE OF THE WEEK:
Found in Dover’s Down to Business weekly newsletter, Chris Parker reflects on post-holiday exhaustion. He also discusses his practical approach to resolutions, focusing on evolving existing routines rather than drastic changes. After hitting a goal of 12,000 steps daily last year (wow!), he aims to maintain a 15,000-step average for 2025 (holy crap!! wow!). Also, he’s canceling his Amazon Prime membership!
I want to be more financially sound. Does that mean cutting out all spending and switching to saver mode? No. Instead, I took the idea of saying, I want to be better about spending my money on things I can see tangible benefit in. So, I canceled Amazon Prime, and I am evaluating subscriptions I have (bye-bye Disney+), and make sure that my expenditures are focused locally and on things that don’t hide in the background waiting for me to enjoy them, but that I actually find value in.
~ Christopher G. Parker, AICP, Dover Deputy City Manager
Last year June I wrote about the Red Light, Green Light game I play with my bank accounts. And whereas Chris cut back on TV services, probably a bad decision here, but I increased my Netflix screens to two.
VIDEO OF THE WEEK
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