Portsmouth Mayor Deaglan McEachern speaks at Community Campus May 13, 2025 on the State of the City. (Photo by Deb Cram/Seacoastonline)
Portsmouth mayor: NH bills may bring big changes on housing, schools
City officials weighed in on a variety of topics — from high school enrollment, to increasing cruise ship stops in Portsmouth and state legislation that could make it easier to build multi-family housing in commercial zones — during the 2025 State of the City event May 13.
Mayor Deaglan McEachern, City Manager Karen Conard, and Sean Clancy, Portsmouth’s assistant city manager for economic and community development, addressed a variety of topics during the breakfast meeting at the city-owned Community Campus. The event was hosted by the Chamber Collaborative of Greater Portsmouth.
During a question-and-answer period, one resident and business owner in Portsmouth shared that “my rent (has) doubled in the last two years” and added he’s “probably going to get pushed out of Portsmouth because of that.”
Asked about the potential of implementing rent control in Portsmouth, McEachern stated that state law does not allow that.
The mayor referenced New Hampshire House Bill 631 and predicted it would be “pretty dramatic for the Seacoast.”
The bill, according to McEachern and the state Legislature, will allow for the development of multi-family housing in areas that are zoned commercial, if they are served by municipal water and sewer.
Signing the bill into law would mean “a town or city can no longer say you can’t build housing there,” McEachern said.
Read the rest of this story at Seacoastonline. — Jeff McMenemy, Seacoastonline
Craig Jewett (right), owner of Jewett Construction, with winner Peyton Connelly (middle), Merrimack High School student, and Sarah LeBlanc, Marketing Director for Jewett Construction. (Courtesy photo)
Jewett Construction Awards 2025 Jewett Trade Scholarship to Peyton Connelly of Merrimack High School
Jewett Construction recently announced, through partnership with the NHIAA, the recipient of the 2025 Jewett Trade Scholarship: Peyton Connelly, a standout student from Merrimack High School. Selected from a highly competitive pool of applicants spanning 15 high schools across New Hampshire, Peyton exemplifies the character, dedication, and passion the scholarship seeks to support.
Peyton, an Eagle Scout and honor student, has been a dedicated participant in the Career & Technical Education Welding and Fabrication Program at Alvirne High School for the past two years. Describing himself as a born leader, Peyton’s commitment to excellence has been evident both inside and outside the classroom.
This fall, Peyton will take the next step in his journey by attending the Advanced Welding Institute (AWI) in South Burlington, Vermont, where he will continue to hone his skills and pursue a career in structural and pipeline welding.
“Peyton’s drive, passion, and tenacity truly stood out during the selection process,” said Craig Jewett, Owner of Jewett Construction. “We’re confident he will bring tremendous talent and energy to the welding industry, and we’re honored to play a part in helping him pursue his goals.”
The Jewett Trade Scholarship was created to support the next generation of tradespeople and to recognize the essential role skilled labor plays in our industry. Supporting students like Peyton is one of the many ways Jewett Construction is committed to building not just strong structures—but strong futures.
“We look forward to seeing Peyton again—this time on a job site,” added Craig. “We also extend our best wishes to all the impressive applicants who applied for this inaugural scholarship and look forward to awarding another deserving student next year.”
Portsmouth Route 1 project: Land taking nixed; 2 roundabouts planned
Representatives working with state officials on the long-planned Route 1 (Lafayette Road) corridor improvement project said a change to the preliminary design should significantly reduce its impact on property owners who live along the busy roadway.
David McNamara of Stantec Consulting, the project manager for the Route 1 improvement initiative, said “the meat of what has changed” in the project is a section between Hoover Drive and McKinley Road.
Designers working on the project have proposed to move a portion of Route 1 six feet to west, McNamara said, “which has pulled that whole infrastructure up and away from the residential properties along the easterly side of Route 1.”
Most commercial properties along the 1.7-mile stretch of the Route 1 project, including Market Basket, are located on the west side of the road.
Moving Route 1 to the west “creates a lot more space over there, and allows all the facilities to be built within the existing (state) right of way,” he said.
McNamara added that that means there will be “no permanent encroachment on any of those residential properties on the easterly side of the road through here.”
Read the rest of this story at Seacoastonline. — Jeff McMenemy, Seacoastonline
Gary Abbott
Gary Abbott to be honored with 29th annual NH Construction Industry Ethics Award
Gary Abbott, retired Executive Vice President of the Associated General Contractors of New Hampshire (AGC NH), has been named as the recipient of the 29th annual New Hampshire Construction Industry Ethics Award. The award honors the “individual, business, or organization that, through words and deeds, best demonstrates a commitment to upholding the highest ethical standards in construction.” Gary will be presented with this prestigious recognition at the Associated General Contractors of New Hampshire Awards Dinner scheduled to take place on May 29, 2025, at the Derryfield Country Club, Manchester, NH.
A native of Concord, New Hampshire, Gary laid the foundation for his career with a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, specializing in Accounting, from Franklin Pierce College. After gaining valuable experience at Blue Cross & Blue Shield of NH, he found his true calling at AGC NH, where he dedicated over four decades. During his extensive tenure, Gary helped shape New Hampshire’s commercial construction landscape and transformed AGC NH into a highly regarded organization representing the interests of general contractors, subcontractors, equipment dealers, and suppliers.
His expertise in government relations enabled him to collaborate with state agencies and legislative leaders to craft policies that strengthened New Hampshire’s construction sector. Through his leadership, AGC NH evolved into a comprehensive trade organization that not only advocates for its members but also promotes sound business practices across the industry.
The breadth of his influence was celebrated at his retirement celebration in May 2024 at the Grappone Center in Concord. Governor Chris Sununu joined over 100 industry leaders, colleagues, and friends to honor Gary’s contributions. The evening featured multiple recognitions, including a gubernatorial commendation, an AGC of America distinguished service plaque, and a special award from the NH DOT Highway Specifications Committee.
Sal Lupoli, owner of the Hampton Beach Casino, purchased the Harris Sea Ranch Motel for $8.4 million. (Courtesy of Christopher Brown)
Hampton Beach landmark sold: Casino owner Sal Lupoli expands empire with $8.4M motel
Another iconic property at Hampton Beach has changed hands, with Casino owner Sal Lupoli acquiring the historic Harris Sea Ranch for $8.4 million.
The sale of the long-standing beachfront motel was finalized on April 28, according to commercial broker Christopher Brown. Originally built in the 1950s, the property has been a fixture of Hampton Beach for decades.
The land is just .11 acres but sits directly across Ocean Boulevard from the sand of Hampton Beach and the Atlantic Ocean. Situated just a block from Bernie’s Beach Bar and other popular restaurants, the property also neighbors the recently rebranded Beach Club Casino.
The real estate listing touted the property as an “exceptional opportunity for hospitality, multi-family, casino redevelopment.”
Lupoli’s team has not indicated whether they intend to use the property for any other use than the motel that exists there today.
“We are currently renovating Harris Sea Ranch and plan to open for regular hotel operations on Memorial Day weekend,” said Christie Bellany Cartwright, Lupoli Co.’s senior director of marketing and communications.
The price of the sale was not disclosed by Brown or Lupoli’s team, but town records show a sale took place March 27 for a price of $8.4 million. Brown said March 27 was the day the transaction was executed with signatures. The property is appraised at $1,379,200.
Read the full story at Seacoastonline. — Max Sullivan, Seacoastonline
More than 80% of metro areas posted home price increases in Q1 2025
More than 80% of metro markets (189 out of 228, or 83%) registered home price gains in the first quarter of 2025, as the 30-year fixed mortgage rate ranged from 6.63% to 7.04%, according to the National Association of Realtors®’ latest quarterly report. Eleven percent of the 228 tracked metro areas recorded double-digit price gains over the same period, down from 14% in the fourth quarter of 2024.
“Most metro markets continue to set new record highs for home prices,” said NAR Chief Economist Lawrence Yun. “In the first quarter, the Northeast performed best in both sales and price gains by percentage. Despite the stronger job additions, the South lagged with declining sales and virtually no price appreciation.”
Compared to one year ago, the national median single-family existing-home price grew 3.4% to $402,300. In the prior quarter, the year-over-year national median price increased 4.8%.
Among the major U.S. regions, the South registered the largest share of existing-home sales (44.9%) in the first quarter, with year-over-year price appreciation of 1.3%. Prices also increased 10.3% in the Northeast, 5.2% in the Midwest and 4.1% in the West.
The top 10 large markets (where large markets are defined as the 150 most populous areas) with the biggest year-over-year median price increases by percentage all experienced gains of at least 10%. A total of six markets were in New York and Ohio. Overall, those top 10 large markets were Syracuse, N.Y. (17.9%); Montgomery, Ala. (16.1%); Youngstown-Warren-Boardman, Ohio-Pa. (13.6%); Nassau County-Suffolk County, N.Y. (12.0%); Toledo, Ohio (11.1%); Cleveland-Elyria, Ohio (11.1%); Rochester, N.Y. (11.1%); Gulfport-Biloxi-Pascagoula, Miss. (10.5%); Trenton, N.J. (10.4%); and Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, Pa.-N.J. (10.2%).
Eight of the top 10 most expensive markets in the U.S. were in California. Those markets were San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, Calif. ($2,020,000; 9.8%); Anaheim-Santa Ana-Irvine, Calif. ($1,450,000; 6.2%); San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, Calif. ($1,320,000; 1.5%); Urban Honolulu, Hawaii ($1,165,100; 7.3%); San Diego-Carlsbad, Calif. ($1,036,500; 5.7%); Salinas, Calif. ($954,700; 6.2%); San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, Calif. ($953,400; 4.8%); Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, Calif. ($931,500; 2.5%); Naples-Immokalee-Marco Island, Fla. ($865,000; 1.8%); and Los Angeles-Long Beach-Glendale, Calif. ($862,600; 4.8%).
“Very expensive home prices partly reflect multiple years of home underproduction in those metro markets,” Yun added. “Another factor is the low homeownership rates in these areas, implying more unequal wealth distribution. Affordable markets tend to have more adequate supply and higher homeownership rates.”
Nearly 17% of markets (38 of 228) posted home price declines in the first quarter, up from 11% in the fourth quarter of 2024.
“A few areas where home prices declined a year or two ago are now rebounding, including Boise, Las Vegas, Salt Lake City, San Francisco and Seattle,” Yun said. “Similarly, some markets currently experiencing price declines – but with solid job growth – could see prices recover in the near future, such as Austin, San Antonio, Huntsville, Myrtle Beach, Raleigh and many Florida markets.”
Housing affordability slightly improved in the first quarter. The monthly mortgage payment on a typical existing single-family home with a 20% down payment was $2,120, down only $2 from the fourth quarter of 2024 ($2,122) but up 4.1% – or $84 – from one year ago. Families typically spent 24.4% of their income on mortgage payments, down from 24.8% in the prior quarter and 24.5% one year ago.
First-time buyers found marginally better affordability circumstances compared to the previous quarter. For a typical starter home valued at $342,000 with a 10% down payment loan, the monthly mortgage payment declined to $2,079, down just $2 from the prior quarter ($2,081). That was an increase of $82, or 4.1%, from one year ago ($1,997). First-time buyers typically spent 36.8% of their family income on mortgage payments, down from 37.4% in the previous quarter.
A family needed a qualifying income of at least $100,000 to afford a 10% down-payment mortgage in 45.1% of markets, up from 43.8% in the prior quarter. Yet, a family needed a qualifying income of less than $50,000 to afford a home in 3.1% of markets, up from 2.2% in the previous quarter.
Regional median home prices are from a separate sampling that includes rural areas and portions of some smaller metros that are not included in this report; the regional percentage changes do not necessarily parallel changes in the larger metro areas. The only valid comparisons for median prices are with the same period a year earlier due to seasonality in buying patterns. Quarter-to-quarter comparisons do not compensate for seasonal changes, especially for the timing of family buying patterns.
Median price measurement reflects the types of homes that are selling during the quarter and can be skewed at times by changes in the sales mix. For example, changes in the level of distressed sales, which are heavily discounted, can vary notably in given markets and may affect percentage comparisons. Annual price measures generally smooth out any quarterly swings.
NAR began tracking of metropolitan area median single-family home prices in 1979; the metro area condo price series dates back to 1989.
The seasonally adjusted annual rate for a particular quarter represents what the total number of actual sales for a year would be if the relative sales pace for that quarter was maintained for four consecutive quarters. Total home sales include single-family, townhomes, condominiums and co-operative housing. — National Association of Realtors press release
