The One-Legged Hustle
The Friday Footnote 1.3.25
Friends!
I thought I was done with real estate for a while because of my post-surgery ankle recovery situation. I’m sitting here in bed binge watching Netflix and rereading the Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy. And writing up a storm. Keeping too close of an eyeball on my social medias, and scheming plans because what else you going to do when you’ve been told to stay in bed for a month.
This past Saturday evening, I’d gotten an email about a house from some people I’d been talking to off and on for a few months. And I really don’t answer emails past 7:30pm, but I was so so bored. I wrote up a whole thing on the house they were interested in, sent the email off, and the next morning, my wife was driving me around and we were looking at houses. I was so thankful about getting out of bed for a few hours. And by that following Monday, we were under contract.
I don’t bring this up because of the 48 hour flash sale. Well, that alone was impressive, but I bring this up to let you know, I might be temporarily one-footed, but I’m still kicking it.
And remarkably, with zero pain. Which was the goal.
In the real estate market, as we ring in 2025, across the Seacoast, there are currently 214 single-family homes on the market. Prices range from a $150,000 yurt in Barrington to a luxurious $11.95 million estate on 85 Wentworth Road in Rye. The median price is $739,500, with notable examples like 1 Ross Road in Rollinsford ($739,000) and 7 Keezer Lane in Newton ($740,000).
Statewide, inventory sits at 1,217 homes. The lowest price is $55,000, and the highest is the Rye property at $11.95 million. The state’s median price is $600,000, reflecting a slightly broader affordability range compared to the Seacoast.
Zooming in, Dover’s market remains highly competitive due to limited inventory and strong demand:
Current Listings: 17 active properties ranging from $299,900 to $10.95 million.
Average Price: $1,353,982.
Median Price: $665,000.
Recent Trends: Over the past six months, the median sale price was $539,000. Homes sold in an average of 15 days, with a median of just 7 days—faster than the Seacoast and state averages.
For Dover renters, the picture is equally complex. The median rent for all property types in Dover currently stands at $2,075, slightly above the national average. Despite a 7% decline in rental prices over the last month and a 3% decrease over the past year, many renters are still feeling the pinch. If you’re paying $2,000 or more per month, you’re not alone.
However, Dover’s development pipeline includes several significant projects aiming to expand housing options. Here’s what’s on the way:
Washington Street Apartment Complex: A mixed-use development adding 120 units, including 24 affordable housing units, by summer 2025.
Dover Point Road Development: A 144-unit project with 30% designated as affordable housing, expected in fall 2025.
Knox Marsh Road Project: A 72-unit development featuring single-family homes and townhouses, 20% of which will be affordable, set for spring 2026.
Middle Road Condominiums: A 48-unit age-restricted (55+) community, slated for summer 2026.
While these developments will increase the overall housing supply, the emphasis on rentals may provide only limited relief for buyers seeking single-family homes or renters hoping for substantial cost reductions.
As Dover continues to grow, the balance between rental and ownership opportunities remains a critical issue. Whether you’re looking to rent, buy, or invest, understanding these dynamics is essential to making informed decisions.
Have questions about navigating Dover’s market? Reach out—I’m here to help you strategize and achieve your housing goals.
The Wicked Moxie
You Left the Seattle Scene Without a Trace: The Art of Second Chances
Rebecca Earle’s journey from the bustling cityscapes of Seattle to the cozy charm of Dover, New Hampshire, is anything but ordinary. Once a professional holiday decorator crafting million-dollar displays for corporate spaces, Rebecca left the Seattle scene “without a trace,” seeking a life more aligned with her values. Now, she’s the creative force behind Hello Again, a quirky vintage shop known for its bold animal-headed mannequins and carefully curated secondhand treasures. With racks of inclusive, non-gendered clothing and a commitment to sustainability, Rebecca has built more than a store—she’s created a sanctuary where fashion meets individuality and community. The shop’s mission is simple yet powerful: to give clothing, and people, a second chance. But the path to this thriving business is paved with bold decisions, personal reinventions, and a love for everything a little oddball.
From the chaos of big-city deadlines to the slower pace of New Hampshire’s community-driven charm, Rebecca’s story is as layered and textured as the vintage pieces she sells. What inspired her leap across the country? How did a whimsical idea involving animal masks become a defining feature of Hello Again? This is a tale of resilience, creativity, and a second act that is as stylish as it is heartfelt. Click here for the full story of how Rebecca turned her vision into reality—you won’t want to miss the delightful twists and turns that make her journey so unforgettable.
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.
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
144 North Road, Brentwood, NH 03833
2 Beds,1 Bath, 1,200sq ft, 1.6ac, $425,000
Bring your ideas to this rustic two-bedroom Brentwood home with great bones. Oversized detached two car garage/workshop with newer metal roof and an additional section for a home business or convert to an accessory dwelling. Cedar siding on the outside and the main house has a new asphalt roof. House was raised and has new foundation and is set up to drop the first floor 8 inches to increase the headroom on the first floor and newer roof system includes all new rafters, collar ties, plywood sheathing and architectural shingles. Collar ties are raised up to 12 inches above existing ceiling height upstairs so that headroom can be increased in the future as part of any remodeling project. Newer chimney, furnace, duct work, hot water heater and pressure tank and home was rewired with a new 200-amp service. All on a nice wooded 1.6-acre lot in the sought after SAU school system. Quality wood Stove for secondary heat will convey with the home. Excellent commuter location provides easy access to Routes 101 & 125 and 15 minutes to Routes 93 & 95 and just 10 minutes to the train station in Exeter. Only 20 minutes to the Beaches Lakes and airports.
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