New Hampshire Has One of the Lowest Foreclosure Rates in the Country — What That Means for NH and MA Home Buyers

The Granite State's remarkably stable housing market continues to stand out from the rest of the nation, and that's great news for homeowners and buyers across New Hampshire and Massachusetts.

If you've been following the New England real estate market, here's a headline worth celebrating: New Hampshire continues to rank among the states with the lowest foreclosure rates in the entire country. According to data from ATTOM, a leading provider of U.S. property data and real estate intelligence, New Hampshire's foreclosure numbers remain well below the national average — a sign of a fundamentally strong and stable housing market.

What the Data Shows

In early 2026, New Hampshire ranked 41st in foreclosure rate nationwide, meaning 40 states had higher rates of foreclosure activity. The state recorded just 87 foreclosure filings in January 2026 — that's one filing for every 7,454 housing units — compared to the national average of one filing for every 3,547 units. Put simply, New Hampshire homeowners are more than twice as likely to stay current on their mortgage than the average American homeowner.

The news gets even better. ATTOM's Q1 2026 Vacant Property and Zombie Foreclosure Report found that New Hampshire was one of only three states in the entire country with zero "zombie foreclosures" — properties abandoned by owners before a foreclosure is finalized. The other two states were Vermont and West Virginia. These kinds of properties can drag down neighborhood home values and create blight, so their virtual absence in New Hampshire is a meaningful indicator of community stability.

New Hampshire also earned the distinction of having the lowest overall residential vacancy rate in the nation at just 0.03%, and the lowest vacancy rate for institutional investor-owned properties at 0.08%. Compare that to states like Oklahoma and Kansas, where overall vacancy rates top 2.4%.

Why Is New Hampshire's Foreclosure Rate So Low?

Several factors contribute to the Granite State's enviable position:

Strong homeowner equity. The NH housing market has seen sustained appreciation in home values over the past decade. As of May 2026, the median single-family home price in New Hampshire is approximately $500,000. With more than 401,000 properties carrying over 50% equity statewide, most NH homeowners have a significant financial cushion — making foreclosure a far less likely outcome even during times of economic stress.

A financially stable homeowner base. New Hampshire consistently attracts residents with strong employment prospects and household incomes. The demographics of who buys homes in the Granite State tend to reflect financial resilience. People who can afford to live and buy here generally have the financial health to sustain their mortgages.

Tight inventory and high demand. With only about 2.4 months of housing supply and steady demand from buyers relocating from Massachusetts and other high-cost states, NH properties hold their value. Homeowners facing financial hardship have the option of selling — often quickly and profitably — rather than defaulting.

Limited distressed inventory. With fewer foreclosures entering the market, there's less downward pressure on home values. This creates a self-reinforcing cycle of market stability.

How Does Massachusetts Compare?

Massachusetts has also maintained relatively low foreclosure rates by national standards, ranking among the better-performing states in New England. In mid-2025, Massachusetts recorded one foreclosure filing for every 6,267 housing units — still well below the national average, and a testament to the broader strength of the New England real estate market.

That said, foreclosure activity nationally has been rising. ATTOM reported that across the U.S., one in every 1,211 housing units had a foreclosure filing in Q1 2026 — up 26% year over year — as pandemic-era relief programs have long since expired and economic pressures have increased in many markets. States like South Carolina, Indiana, and Florida are seeing the sharpest increases in foreclosure activity.

Against that backdrop, both New Hampshire and Massachusetts continue to outperform the national landscape significantly.

What This Means If You're Buying or Selling a Home in NH or MA

Whether you're a first-time home buyer in Manchester or Nashua, a move-up buyer in the Lakes Region, or a Massachusetts buyer considering a relocation to Southern NH, the region's low foreclosure environment signals several important things:

• Neighborhood stability: Low foreclosure rates mean fewer distressed or neglected properties dragging down your neighborhood's value.
• Strong resale value: Markets with healthy homeowner equity and low vacancy rates historically maintain stronger long-term appreciation.
• Competitive inventory: While low foreclosure rates are a positive sign, they also mean fewer discounted distressed properties are available — making it more important than ever to work with an experienced real estate agent who knows how to find value in today's market.
• Confidence for sellers: If you're thinking of listing your NH or MA home, a stable, low-foreclosure market means your home is less likely to face competition from deeply discounted bank-owned properties.

The Bottom Line for New Hampshire and Massachusetts Real Estate

The data is clear: New Hampshire's housing market is one of the healthiest and most stable in the country, and the greater New England region — including Massachusetts — continues to outpace the national average when it comes to homeowner stability and market strength.

If you're thinking about buying a home in New Hampshire — whether in the Seacoast, the Lakes Region, the Merrimack Valley, or the Upper Valley — or exploring homes for sale in Massachusetts communities along the NH border like Haverhill, Lowell, or Lawrence, now is a great time to connect with a local real estate expert who can help you navigate this competitive market.

Ready to explore homes for sale in NH or MA? Contact our team today to get started.

Sources: ATTOM Q1 2026 Vacant Property and Zombie Foreclosure Report; ATTOM January 2026 U.S. Foreclosure Market Report; ATTOM Q1 2026 Foreclosure Market Report; SoFi Foreclosure Rates for All 50 States (May 2026); NH Public Radio / Manchester Ink Link; Property Focus NH Housing Market Overview.