Resources

Here is a list of the primary resources used to gather and synthesize the data for the New Hampshire real estate market reports.

Primary Data & Real Estate Analytics

• Redfin (www.redfin.com)

  • Data Provided: This is a key source for up-to-date, localized market data, including Median Sale Price, Median Days on Market (DOM), Sale-to-List Price Ratio, and the number of homes sold. Its data is refreshed frequently, making it ideal for tracking near-real-time market shifts.

• Realtor.com (www.realtor.com)

  • Data Provided: Used in conjunction with Redfin to verify trends and gather data on active listing inventory, property types (single-family, condo, etc.), and historical sales data. It also provides valuable insights into local market trends and neighborhood specifics.

• New Hampshire Association of Realtors® (NHAR) (www.nhar.org)

  • Data Provided: The official trade association for realtors in the state. They publish monthly and quarterly market reports that provide authoritative, statewide, and county-level statistics on sales, pricing, and inventory. This is a primary source for high-level, aggregate data.

Demographic & Economic Context

• U.S. Census Bureau (www.census.gov)

  • Data Provided: This resource is used for foundational demographic data, including population statistics, median age, and housing characteristics (e.g., percentage of single-family homes). This provides essential context about the community's composition.

• New Hampshire Employment Security (NHES) - Economic and Labor Market Information Bureau (www.nhes.nh.gov/elmi)

  • Data Provided: The official source for state and local employment data, economic trends, and community profiles. This information is crucial for understanding the economic health of a town or county, which directly impacts its housing market.

Local & Municipal Data

• Official Town and City Websites (e.g., www.ci.concord.nh.us, www.bedfordnh.org)

  • Data Provided: Individual municipal websites are the primary source for specific local information, most importantly, property tax rates. This data is essential for calculating the affordability and long-term cost of homeownership in a specific community.

Here is a consolidated list of the primary digital resources and a examples of search queries used in the research and creation of the Geographic Overviews.

General Resources Used Across Multiple Geographic Overviews

These sources were valuable for providing statewide context and comparative data on land use, geology, and history.

• New Hampshire Employment Security (NHES) – Community Profiles: Official state-managed data sheets providing statistics on area, population, and economic information for counties and towns.

• New Hampshire Geological Survey (NHGS): An essential resource for information on bedrock geology, surficial geology (glacial deposits), and natural resources like granite and minerals across the state.

• Global Forest Watch – New Hampshire Data: Provided satellite-based data and statistics on forest cover, land use percentages, and changes over time.

• The National Map (USGS): Used for verifying topographical features, major river systems, and elevation data.

• Wikipedia and Wikimedia Commons: Served as excellent starting points for general history, notable landmarks, and publicly available images with proper attribution.

Resources Specific to Each Overview

1. Keene, New Hampshire (Historical Snapshot)

Research for Keene focused on its specific timeline, key events, and historic landmarks.

• Primary Source Text:

  • A History of the Town of Keene from 1732... by S. G. Griffin (hosted on the City of Keene website): A foundational, in-depth text covering early settlement, the Revolutionary War, and industrial development.

  • Upper Ashuelot: A History of Keene, New Hampshire (hosted on the City of Keene website): Provided detailed chapters on business, industry, and the transition from a town to a city.

• Institutional Resources:

  • Historical Society of Cheshire County (hsccnh.org): Information on the Wyman Tavern, Faulkner & Colony Mill, and other key historic buildings.

  • New Hampshire Division of Historical Resources (dncr.nh.gov): Provided National Register of Historic Places nomination details for Keene landmarks, confirming architectural styles and dates.

2. Cheshire County (Geographic Overview)

This research focused on the county's distinct topography in the Monadnock Region.

• Key Resources:

  • Cheshire County Conservation District: Information on land use patterns, natural resources, and major watersheds like the Ashuelot River.

  • NH Fish and Game Department: Data on lakes, ponds, and wetlands within the county.

• Search Queries:

  • "Cheshire County New Hampshire geography topography"

  • "Mount Monadnock geology and elevation"

  • "Ashuelot River watershed Cheshire County"

  • "Land use Cheshire County NH forested agricultural"

3. Hillsborough County (Geographic Overview)

The focus here was on the contrast between the industrial river valley and the rural western hills.

• Key Resources:

  • Hillsborough County Conservation District: Information on the Merrimack, Souhegan, and Piscataquog river corridors.

  • US Census Bureau & NHES Profiles: Data confirming Hillsborough as the most populous county and its land area.

• Search Queries:

  • "Hillsborough County NH geography Merrimack River"

  • "Pack Monadnock elevation"

  • "Uncanoonuc Mountains geology"

  • "Land use Manchester vs western Hillsborough County"

4. Sullivan County (Geographic Overview)

Research centered on its rural character, the Connecticut River, and Mount Sunapee.

• Key Resources:

  • Sullivan County Conservation District: Details on the Connecticut River and Sugar River watersheds.

  • Mount Sunapee State Park / NH State Parks: Information on the topography and geology of the Sunapee highlands.

• Search Queries:

  • "Sullivan County NH geography Connecticut River"

  • "Mount Sunapee highest point Sullivan County"

  • "Sugar River watershed NH"

  • "Land use Sullivan County NH rural"

5. Merrimack County (Geographic Overview)

This research focused on its central location, role as the state capital, and major river confluences.

• Key Resources:

  • Merrimack County Conservation District: Information on the Merrimack, Contoocook, and Suncook rivers.

  • NH Granite State Geotourism Map: Details on the geology of Mount Kearsarge and the historic Concord granite quarries.

• Search Queries:

  • "Merrimack County New Hampshire geography"

  • "Mount Kearsarge elevation and geology"

  • "Concord NH granite quarries history"

  • "Merrimack and Contoocook rivers confluence"

6. Rockingham County (Geographic Overview)

The unique coastal geography was the primary focus of this research.

• Key Resources:

  • NH Department of Environmental Services – Coastal Program: Extensive information on the Great Bay Estuary, salt marshes, and coastal geology.

  • Rockingham County Conservation District: Data on inland rivers like the Lamprey and Exeter.

• Search Queries:

  • "Rockingham County NH coastal geography"

  • "Great Bay Estuary New Hampshire"

  • "Seacoast Lowland topography NH"

  • "Rockingham County land use development"

Here is a list of primary resources used for creating demographic and economic reports for communities in New Hampshire, and an example of additional resources used for a town specific report.

Primary State & Federal Resources

These government agencies provide the foundational data for most demographic and economic analysis.

• New Hampshire Employment Security (NHES) – Economic and Labor Market Information Bureau (ELMI)

  • What it's for: This is arguably the most valuable state-specific resource. It provides detailed community profiles with data on population, income, employment statistics, major employers, and industry trends for every town and city in New Hampshire.

  • Best Use: Getting a quick, comprehensive snapshot of a specific community's economy and workforce.

• U.S. Census Bureau

  • What it's for: The definitive source for in-depth demographic data. The American Community Survey (ACS) offers 1-year and 5-year estimates on topics like household income, poverty rates, educational attainment, housing characteristics, and population age breakdowns.

  • Best Use: Detailed demographic profiling and comparing communities across a wide range of social and economic metrics.

• New Hampshire Office of Planning and Development (OPD)

  • What it's for: This office produces official state population estimates and projections, which are crucial for understanding future growth trends. It also provides data on housing, land use, and development patterns.

  • Best Use: Analyzing historical population trends and forecasting future community growth.

• New Hampshire Housing Finance Authority (NHHFA)

  • What it's for: The premier source for housing market data in the state. NHHFA publishes extensive reports on median home sale prices, rental market conditions, housing affordability, and residential construction trends by town and county.

  • Best Use: Any report focused on the real estate market, housing costs, and affordability.

Local & Municipal Data

• Official Town and City Websites (e.g., www.ci.concord.nh.us, www.bedfordnh.org)

  • Data Provided: Individual municipal websites are the primary source for specific local information, most importantly, property tax rates. This data is essential for calculating the affordability and long-term cost of homeownership in a specific community.

Regional & Local Resources

These organizations provide more granular data and localized context.

• Regional Planning Commissions (RPCs)

  • What it's for: New Hampshire is divided into nine planning regions, each with its own commission (e.g., Southwest Region Planning Commission covers the Keene/Swanzey area). They compile highly localized data on economic development, transportation, and land use for their member communities.

  • Best Use: Finding region-specific reports and data that may not be available at the state level.

• Municipal Websites and Annual Town Reports

  • What it's for: The official website for a town or city and its published annual report contain valuable information on budgets, property tax rates, master plans, and major local projects.

  • Best Use: Understanding the fiscal health and strategic direction of a specific municipality.

Private & Non-Profit Resources

These sources are excellent for market trends and qualitative analysis.

• Multiple Listing Service (MLS) & Real Estate Data Aggregators

  • What it's for: Real estate boards (like the New Hampshire Association of Realtors®) provide access to MLS data, which is the most current source for home listings, sales prices, and days on market. Commercial sites like Zillow and Realtor.com aggregate this data.

  • Best Use: Tracking up-to-the-minute real estate market activity and price trends.

• New Hampshire Center for Public Policy Studies

  • What it's for: A non-partisan research organization that publishes in-depth reports on key issues affecting New Hampshire's economy, including workforce challenges, housing, and demographic shifts.

  • Best Use: Gaining a deeper understanding of the context and policy implications behind the data.

For the most accurate and comprehensive report, it is always best to cross-reference data from several of these sources.

Resources Used for Swanzey, NH Report

• Demographic Data (Population, Median Age, Household Income):

  • U.S. Census Bureau: The primary source for detailed demographic statistics, including population counts, age distribution, and household income levels for Swanzey. Specifically, the American Community Survey (ACS) provides the most up-to-date estimates.

  • New Hampshire Employment Security, Economic and Labor Market Information Bureau (ELMI): This state-level resource offers community profiles with economic and demographic data, often complementing Census data with a local perspective.

• Geographic & Location Data:

  • Google Maps: Utilized for calculating approximate driving times and distances from Swanzey to key regional cities such as Keene, Brattleboro, Manchester, and Boston.

  • Town of Swanzey Official Website: Provides general information about the town's location, its relationship to the Monadnock Region, and local geography.

• Economic & Real Estate Data:

  • New Hampshire Housing Finance Authority (NHHFA): Publishes quarterly and annual reports on the New Hampshire real estate market, including median home sale prices by town or county.

  • Regional Real Estate Market Reports: Data from prominent real estate listing services (like Zillow, Realtor.com, etc.) and reports from regional Realtor associations were used to analyze and project trends in home prices.

  • Cheshire County Economic Development Council: Offers insights into the major industries and employers driving the economy in the greater Keene area, which directly impacts Swanzey.

Yes! Absolutely. I am real AF, harnessing the power of technology. I have an AS in Business from UNH and 90% of my Bachelors in Business with a Data Analytics concentration. From this and personal and professional experience, I know enough about technology and AI to generate content that reflects available information sources, and evaluate such content for accuracy. These reports are carefully curated to provide a snapshot of market conditions in New Hampshire. This perspective, the "Slant" excludes sales outside of referenced source media. Market conditions are always changing! It should be noted that an unknown (without distinction) amount of concessions are often included in recorded sale prices. That means that there is a lot of incalculable variance. Non-numerable activity such as contract terms and trends also effect sales. I recommend checking reference sources directly and asking a professional! I am happy to review reports.

The elements of this site were generated with the help of AI tools.  AI Deep Research was performed to gather relevant resources and information to synthesize the various reports. I am happy to craft custom analysis based on information inside the Multiple Listing Service, Prime MLS and professional expertise. That is not really what this website is. These reports are based solely on information that is publicly available. Redfin.com and Realtor.com rely on the same real estate sales information with some delay and lack of detail. The reports are crafted with the care of a human, but also attempt to harness the power of AI and rely exclusively on publicly available information at this time. Feedback is much appreciated. Use the FAQ AMA button below to connect.

Cheers!
Jessie NH REC #074090
//KeeneMetro.kw.com

Home photo: https://www.pexels.com/photo/trees-near-mountain-under-blue-sky-14080908/

Cheshire County photo: Monadnock with pink fog over Dublin Pond, Jessie

Gem photos: Wiki Commons https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Main_Page