Naked Moments: Fires, Kids, and
The Friday Footnote 1.10.25
We are watching the fires rage on in California on the TV. I’m not sure what I can do about the fires other than send money. And whatever pithy thought I had for this week pales in comparison to what’s been in the news.
Next year, my youngest will take all AP classes, though they are not sure about the history AP course cause they hear the instructors might be boring. My oldest later this spring will be returning home home with a bachelor’s in dance. And she’ll be searching hard for a job so she can move out again as soon as she can.
This past Tuesday, I spent four hours in the bathroom fixing the toilet while balancing on one foot. Then a shave and a shower, But, after the shower, I sat naked on the edge of the tub realizing I couldn’t tighten teh boot around my healing ankle. And. No one was home to help. I felt very exposed.
So much of my time lately is wasted navigating stairs, crutching around the house, or just trying to get from one room to the next.
I feel, you know, severely inadequate. I have friends who live their entire lives in wheelchairs and I’m sure they don’t take forty-five minutes to pour themselves thier own bowl of cereal.
I’m looking ahead to March Fourth though. That’s the day I find out whether I can begin to learn to walk again or if I have to continue to wait for this ankle to grow together.
I miss the coffee shop. The noise, the energy, the flow of conversations. Right now, I’m so inside my head, you know. There’s not really any other place to be.
In the real estate market, I’m searching for homes in Exeter for a client. If you or someone you know is thinking about selling, reach out. I’d like to chat!
I do have a closing next week, then another on Valentine’s week. Most of the people I’ve been working with have been buyers, and Housingwire has suggested the 2025 spring real estate market started way back in November. So by the time April rolls around, things ought to be pretty crazy with all the buyers coming out of the woodwork while New Hampshire continues to suffer a housing crisis.
Helping people selling by the way is much easier for me right now because of the ankle situation. There’s less driving, less hobbling around properties on crutches, and more time spent connecting with clients.
So let me know if you have any good leads!
Just hit the green button, and we’ll be in touch.
Property tax complaints, by the way, are all over Facebook again, especially if you’re living in Rochester.
Rochester, like all other New Hampshire towns, must by state law reassess property values every five years. Reassessments are based upon current real estate market trends. Many of the Facebook commenters misunderstood how valuations are determined, and they also assume the city has control over market forces.
Here’s some of what I read on Facebook:
“My value went down, but my bill went up?” – Cindy Lee Hoffman
“A 1978 mobile home valued at $45K now assessed at $181K is insanity.” – Kevin Thomas
“The tax jump on my property will put a burden on me as a senior citizen. I love my home but don’t believe it’s worth what the city says.” – Lynn Adams Couture
“I’ve just been taxed out of my home.” – Lisa McCullough Thompson
“Assessing property values to increase taxes feels like extortion.” – Thomas Couture
“The state should link tax increases to cost-of-living indices rather than market value.” – Karl Reuning
“You should’ve known this was coming. Ignorance isn’t a strategy.” – Melody Towle
“The city is collecting ransom rent, plain and simple.” – Thomas Couture
And for further context:
Mobile homes and condos saw the largest tax assessment increases, at 208% and 94% respectively. Still single-family homes experienced sticker shock at a 73% increase. Many mobile home and condo owners are retirees or low-income families and live on fixed incomes. Large increases in tax assessments can disproportionately affect their financial stability. And when single-family homeowners see smaller tax increases over mobile homes and condos, this doesn’t just create a sense of inequity; this seems, well, unfair. Especially for manufactured/mobile homes which traditionally actually decrease in value over time. Except, over the last few years where we saw an increase in overall value—then the pandemic-fueled spike in 2020.
But you can begin to see that depreciation cycle beginning again. Mobile homes and condos aren’t worth what they used to be worth in 2024, even though they are still valued higher than their 2016 valuation.
This is not just a Rochester problem. The reassessment controversy is emblematic of New Hampshire in general—as well as other rappidly appreciating markets.
These tax burdens have led states to adopt reforms. One approach is assessment caps, which limit annual increases in property valuations, ensuring residents are not blindsided by sudden spikes. States like California tie taxes to purchase prices. Another option is rolling reassessments, spreading valuation updates over several years to smooth out market volatility.
Programs like circuit breakers offer targeted relief, providing tax credits or refunds when property taxes exceed a set percentage of household income. Additionally, homestead exemptions, such as those in Texas, allow homeowners to reduce their taxable home value, making taxes more manageable for owner-occupied properties. For properties like mobile homes, some states treat them as personal property rather than real estate, adjusting taxes to reflect depreciation.
Rochester has done some work around this embalance. They lowered their 2023 tax rate from $25.74 to their 2024 rate of $14.85. And, they have increased income-based tax exemptions for specific groups including the elderly, veterans, and disabled individuals. Over the past two years, these increased exemptions have reduced $58 million in taxable property values.
You can listen to the mayor’s response on the situation here:
I think you might see an influx of real estate agents trying to take advantage of this situation as well—targeting those who can’t afford their property taxes. In fact, one Facebook poster commented, “I’d like to see the city purchase my house for market-value.”
Which is a valid comment I believe. Especially if we move our view toward Manchester where Eighty-Eight Coffee Co was offered under market value when their business came underneath eminent domain.
But maybe it’s worth being gentrified?
I am seeing longer days on market so if you are planning on gentrifying, expect maybe a few more days worth of trying to sell.
Longest days on market so far in the seacoast area: 534 days. 53 Austin Street, Portsmouth sits at $3,6,000,000. And Austin’s not even the most expensive house in the Seacoast, which goes to 85 Wentworth Road in Rye for a cool $11,950,000. Austin only comes in at number 8 for the most expensive home for the geographical areas I track.
The average days on maket are 76, and the median is 64. So out of 228 total available listings, 114 have been on the market for less than 64 days, and the other half have been on the market for longer than 64 days.
Our average active listing price point is $1,115,187—well below the Austin Street cost. But our median is $722,450. These two numbers hold pretty steady over the course of the last six months—average at $766,026, median $611,950.
Also, in the last six months, we’ve seen 862 homes either go under contract or sell.
I did write an earlier post about how you can potentially fight your new assessment.
And, if you’re 65 and older, blind, have solar panels on your house, or a Veteran and having issues paying your Rochester property taxes, check these links out:
The Wicked Moxie
COMING NEXT WEEK: APLOMB GALLERY INTERVIEW!
In the meantime, enjoy some of our older Wicked Moxie Posts!
The Unforgettable Woodman
A Leap of Faith: How One Midlife Revival Sparked a Thriving Business
Do you have suggestions for who else we should write about? Let me know!
Also! Over on Facebook Melissa Lesniak (also a Keller Williams Coastal and Lakes & Mountains Realtor) you can check out her “Love Your Community” posts.
Her posts spotlight local businesses and show how much they matter to Dover. From places like IKKO Sushi & Japanese Steak House to Cinco’s Cantina, she shares their stories in a way that makes you want to check them out for yourself. It’s not just about the businesses, though—it’s about how they bring people together and make the community stronger. Her posts are a great reminder of how much we can accomplish when we support each other.
Granite Goodness
If you’re not reading Granite Goodness, you’re really missing out. Andy DeMeo’s newsletter is packed with stories of progress, positivity, and problem-solving from all around New Hampshire. This special edition highlights 99 of the best feel-good stories from 2024, showcasing how people are building, creating, and making a difference in ways that go far beyond random acts of kindness. It’s the perfect reminder that optimism and action are contagious—and that there’s plenty of good happening right here in the Granite State. Plus, for even more inspiring tales, you can check out the Granite Goodness podcast
About Town
In Dover
January 9, 6:30pm to 7:30pm: Reading Rainbow
Join Dover Public Library's inclusive queer book club, Reading Rainbow, for a discussion of Julia Armfield's Our Wives Under the Sea. Copies are available to borrow through the library, Hoopla, or Libby. Will meet in the McConnell Center, Room 306.For questions, email Rachel at R.Gogan@dover.nh.gov or Olivia at O.Pexton@dover.nh.gov.
Tuesday, January 14 · 7:00–8:30 PM: Science Cafe: Living with Insects
Join Jace Porter, founder of the Global Entomology Coalition, for an informal chat and Q&A at about insects at Auspicous Brew. Free.
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.
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 Rochester
Wednesday, January 8: 9-week Genealogy Course
Join Judith Fleuriel for the start of another exciting series of workshops on how to get started in genealogy. Classes will be held on Wednesday evenings starting January 8th through March 5th 5-7pm in the Rochester Library Community Room. Due to limited space in the Community Room, registration will be required. Please try to attend as many of these meetings as possible if you sign up. Call 603-332-1428 ext. 2 to get your name on the list.
Saturday, January 18, 10am to 11:30am: National Winnie the Pooh Day
Kids ages 2 and up are invited to join in the Rochester Public Library’s Story Time Room to create a fun craft, play a Pooh themed game, and enjoy a yummy snack in celebration of National Winnie the Pooh Day.
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
4 Beds, 2 Baths, 2,658 Sq ft., $359,000
This classic New Englander perfectly blends timeless character with modern conveniences, creating a warm and inviting space you’ll be proud to call home. The heart of the home is a spacious kitchen featuring granite countertops, rich wooden cabinetry, a central island with seating, and a bright and airy atmosphere. The adjacent formal dining room provides the perfect setting for gatherings, while the living room, with its cozy ambiance and natural light, is ideal for relaxing with loved ones. This charming home boasts three generously sized bedrooms, two bathrooms, and versatile living spaces, including a home office and a music room. Outside, the large back deck is surrounded by mature trees, offering privacy and tranquility for outdoor dining or entertaining. A detached garage provides ample storage or workshop potential, and the private yard is perfect for gardening or play. Conveniently located near schools, shopping, and major routes, this property offers a balance of charm, function, and location.
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