Simply put, Bow. Yes prices are down. The realtors are sworming!

Not sure what you consider best for your family. For us it boils down to schools. Check out US World News Reports summary of the best high schools in New Hampshire at http://www.usnews.com/listings/high-schools/new_hampshire. Schools on the list within 30 minutes of Manchester include Hopkinton, Hollis-Brookline, and suprisingly (at least to me!) Concord High Schools. Other schools that are typically regarded as good schools within 30 minutes of Manchester include the Amherst (includes Mont Vernon), Bow, and Bedford schools. If you like quaint New England I would suggest Amherst, Hollis, Hopkinton, or Mont Vernon. If you like to be more central to activities and shopping, then I would go with Bedford, Concord, or Bow.

Hi Tracy

a 30 minute drive to Manchester opens a tremedouse amount of possibilities, at least 6 or so towns depending in Manchester wher you are and what part of the outlying town you're in. Keep in mind NH is only about 2.5 hours wide! IF the "country is your thing Candia is a great spot, or on the other side of Manch. (aka: Manchvegas, why you ask?) parts of Bedford, Goffstown, down to Merrimack and more. It depends what you need and want. Do you have family? Are schools important? I have a service called the Home Buyer Scouting Report where you get a password protected web site and can search the market, see sale prices, map an area and much, much more. A great tool to deucate yourself about the area, then we can talk and I can direct you as best i can. As a native New Hampshirite and a 30 year real estate veteran I can answer just about everything. If that sounds like a good idea e mail me at gbs603@comcast.net and I can help you from there.
In anser to your second question home prices have come down roughly 10% over the past year for Hillsbrough County, but that's 30 towns, so it depends wher, what, price range etc. The market is no where near as down as Florida.
gbs603@comcast.net

Gregg Brooks
HBM 2

Good Afternoon Tracy,

Yes prices have come down considerably in the last 2 years. There are some great buys especially within 30 minutes of Manchester. There are some very nice houses in your price range. If you would like some assistance in getting some listing sheets and narrowing down area's you would consider, feel free to contact me. Good luck with your move.

I live in Merrimack, NH (which is very close to Manchester) and I know that prices have come down significantly in my neighborhood and it looks like prices have come down in surrounding areas as well.

Hi Tracy
I'd like to answer your 2nd question first. Home prices in southern NH have definitely come down, in some cases, 10-15% and more. Many Sellers are also willing to make concessions that they wouldn't have considered just a year or two ago, so it's a great time to be a home buyer. I'm quite sure that a suitable house could be found in your price range.

Looking within 30 minutes of Manchester, you have several towns that might fit the needs of your family, but most importantly, what comes to mind when you are thinking of your next hometown? Do you need conveniences like grocery shopping and department stores within a couple minutes drive, or would you prefer to live in a smaller and more quiet town? How important is a walkable downtown area?

Some of the best school systems in the entire state are within 30 minutes to Manchester, and they include the towns of Amherst, Bedford, Hollis & Londonderry. If you are looking for suburban living, these towns might be worth considering. If you prefer to stay in the city with all of the local conveniences, the city of Manchester has 3 high schools, and several neighborhood elementary and middle schools that feed into them.

If you have questions on the relocation process, or on any of the towns that you are considering, you are welcome to contact me directly. And if you're not quite ready to talk with any agents, but want access to all the listings, property addresses and pictures available, you may search here: http://www.rls2000.com/link/register.asp?agentid=116474 to your heart's content. Thanks for reading, and I hope this info helps.

Valerie

Valerie Cloutier, Realtor®
MA & NH Real Estate Services
Accredited Buyer Representative
e-PRO Certified 2008

Innovative Realty, Londonderry NH
Cell: 603-965-5197

Hi Tracy

As a native New Hamshirite and growing up outside of Manchester I know the area well. Sounds like Kids are involved so schools are important -the "best' school district at present in Manchester ( in total grades1-12) is what would be consiodered the south , south east end. It's pretty subjective though, I suggest you visit our website @ http://www.habsrealestate.com which is linked to the NH School System or you can look into NH.gov, other great school districts are Merrimack, Bedford, Amherst, most all in Southern NH, it alls comes down to your taste and affordability.
The Nortn end of Manchester is considered the "best ara" but again it is a personal taste issue. There are some grat "new' area in the south end of Manchester close to the Londonderry line generally off Bodwell Rd. and Cohas Ave area if you happen to be mapping things or checking google maps.
A 30 minute drive from Manch. opens many possibilties. I you draw a 30 minutes radius around Manchester (affectionately know as Manchvegas, I an tell you why some time) you'll have a choice of about 6+ towns ) Keep in mind NH is about 2.5 hours wide and 4+ hours long so compared to the Florida market it's pretty small, which is why we enjoy a limited affect as far as the general economy and housing prices are concerned. Yes we are down around 10% but compared that to Florida.............. In fact I just did a study for an appraisal client ( I do that to) where the specific market was only down 2%! From what I see median sale prices are off up to 10% but that's a general statistic for all price ranges in all towns. Don't get me wrong is a buyers market with lots of opportunity. Sellers expect low offers and that's great for you.
It's a great place to raise a family, an hour to the coast, to the big city-Boston, mountains etc. Lots to tell you if yoor so inclined. visti me at gbs603@comcast.net also visit us at http://www.habsrealestate.com to search all listings Hope to talk to yas soon, I'm here to help when your ready

Gregg

Tracy: There are a number of great locations, all within a 30 minute drive to Manchester. Depending on whether you have school aged children, your needs in what ammenties you prefer in a community, etc. will determine which community is best for you and which communities should be on your "short list". I never want to "assume" what might appeal to a buyer I dont know anything about.

In NH you can choose between being closer to the NH coast, or closer to Boston ?

What size house with what ammenties ? Older or newer construction ? All these questions need to be explored.

In short, yes NH affords "good market value" in pricing of property. Yes...you can meet your objective to a reasonable commute.

If you require more info. on certain towns or which communities might serve you best, please call on me. I represent buyers in property searches from Greater Manchester over to the NH coast.

Good luck with your search and I hope to hear from you Jerome Duval 603-261-5139