It’s no surprise that Exeter is one of the most popular places to live in New Hampshire. Good schools, low crime, and a picturesque downtown make Exeter the ideal place to build or buy a home.
Why Exeter May Be the Perfect Place for You
If you ask Exeter residents why they love their hometown, you’re bound to hear a variety of reasons, including:
- Small Town Atmosphere: With a population of just over 16,000, Exeter will never be mistaken for the big city. And that’s a very good thing as far as residents are concerned. Neighbors greet others by name and pitch in to help their friends shovel out from snowstorms or build floats for the Halloween parade.
- Excellent Schools: Exeter schools focus on creating competent, engaged learners and citizens who appreciate value, diversity, and inclusion, according to the school district website. The district’s elementary schools receive high marks from Niche.com, while Exeter High School is ranked 13th in the state by U.S. News & World Report.
- Short Drive to the Beach: Residents of other states must drive hours to catch a glimpse of the Atlantic Ocean, but not Exeter residents. The beach is just about a half-hour away, which makes it easy to get away for an after-work sail or stroll on the beach.
- Plenty to Do: There’s always something going on in Exeter. Farmers markets, the arts and music festival, the summer concert series, the American Independence Festival, 5Ks, summer movies, the Classic Bike Festival, holiday events, and the UFO festival keep Exeter residents busy year-round.
The Exeter, NH, Real Estate Market
Due to its proximity to Boston, Portsmouth, Manchester, Nashua, and other towns and cities, the real estate market in Exeter is thriving. Although a competitive market can make it harder to find a house, once you do buy or build your home, you won’t have to worry that it will lose its value. Exeter home and resale values are much higher than the national average and are expected to remain so for the foreseeable future.
Best Exeter Neighborhoods to Build a New Home
Nearly any neighborhood in Exeter is a good place to call home. Unlike other cities, there’s really no such thing as a “bad” neighborhood. In fact, the area is 79% safer than other cities in the country, according to AreaVibes. Exeter’s popularity makes it difficult to find an empty lot in Jady Hill and other neighborhoods close to the downtown area unless you tear down an existing home. Luckily, land is still available in Northern and Southern Exeter and in Brentwood and other neighboring communities.
Things to Know Before Building or Remodeling a Home in Exeter
If you’ve never built a brand-new home or remodeled your house before, you probably have a few questions about the process. Before you add a family room addition to your home or start construction on a custom home, you’ll need to consider:
- Rules and Regulations: Will your addition be far enough from the neighbors to meet setback requirements? Is the land you want to buy zoned for residential use? What changes are you permitted to make to your historic home?
- Wetlands: Wetlands may make it challenging or impossible to build on your site or add a septic system. It may be possible to get an exemption, but as you can imagine, that requires a lot of paperwork and additional fees.
- Permits: What type of permits and inspections will you need to build or renovate your home?
- Design: You’ll need design plans that integrate your addition or remodel with the rest of your home or help you create a brand-new home that includes all the features and amenities you want.
- Land Preparation: If you’re building a custom home, you’ll need to clear the land of rocks and debris. In some cases, blasting may be necessary before you can build a foundation. You may also need to extend utility lines to your property and conduct soil and perc tests to evaluate drainage (a must for septic systems).
We’ve worked with many municipalities throughout the area and are familiar with building codes and regulations that could affect your project. We’ll help you cut through the red tape that can cause building or remodeling delays.
Popular Remodeling Projects in Exeter
Based on our experience, these remodeling projects are in demand in Exeter:
- Kitchens: Whether your home was built 10 or 100 years ago, your kitchen may be outdated, too small, or unattractive. Renovating your kitchen not only improves the appearance and functionality of the most-used room in your house but also increases the value of your home.
- Bathrooms: Do your kids argue over bathroom time every morning? Updating family and guest bathrooms or creating new bathrooms is a must if you have a large family or entertain frequently.
- Master Bedroom Suites: Older homes in New Hampshire don’t always include master bedroom suites. If you’re lucky enough to have a suite, the bedroom or bathroom may be cramped or might not offer enough storage. During your remodel, you can add a new master bedroom suite or renovate your existing suite to include a luxurious bathroom, walk-in closets, sitting area, and other features, like fireplaces and balconies.
- First-Floor Living Spaces: Unless you built your own home, there are probably a few things you don’t like about your house. Luckily, you can create the home you really want with a remodel. Why not expand your family room, makeover your living room, or create a home office or first-floor laundry room?
- Basements: Your basement offers plenty of untapped potentials. Finishing the space can give you the room you need for a guest suite, game room, bar, hobby room, or home office.
Eager to begin your remodel or custom home build? Give us a call and we’ll get the process started!
