“Is this really the best I can get for my budget?”
It’s one of the most common questions I hear from buyers searching in Andover, North Andover, Amesbury, Haverhill, Newburyport, and Southern New Hampshire—and more often than not, the honest answer is no.
Many buyers assume value stops at a town line. In reality, expanding your home search—sometimes by just one neighboring community—can unlock:
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More homes to choose from
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Better layouts or newer condition
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More square footage or land
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Lower property taxes, which can meaningfully reduce your total monthly cost
With more homes for sale than we’ve seen in over five years, today’s market rewards buyers who understand where value actually lives.
Same Budget, Different Towns: What Your Money Can Buy Right Now
Below is a real-world snapshot of homes in a similar price range across Essex County, MA and Southern New Hampshire. The goal isn’t to push one town over another—it’s to show how dramatically location alone can change what’s possible.
North Andover, MA 01845
Charming Modern Cape in a Well-Established Neighborhood
This home reflects what buyers typically see at this price point in North Andover and is fairly priced compared to recent sales.
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3 bedrooms | 2 bathrooms
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1,424 sq ft
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0.28-acre lot
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$699,000
➡️ https://northshorepropertyshop.com/.../168-Greene-St...
Haverhill, MA 01832
Classic Colonial in a Sought-After Development
Haverhill often offers larger lots and strong neighborhood amenities while staying within reach of major routes.
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3 bedrooms | 2.5 bathrooms
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1,636 sq ft
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0.73-acre lot
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$699,900
➡️ https://northshorepropertyshop.com/.../41-Juniper-Wood-Dr...
Amesbury, MA
Best Value Opportunity with a Recent Price Reduction
A motivated seller and an impressive great room make this a standout option in this range.
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3 bedrooms | 2 bathrooms
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1,456 sq ft
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1.89-acre lot
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$699,000
➡️ https://northshorepropertyshop.com/.../28-Beacon-Street...
Andover, MA
Move-In-Ready Ranch with Garage (Rare Find)
One of the closest move-in-ready options at this price point in Andover, where homes of this size often sell higher.
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4 bedrooms | 3 bathrooms
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2,244 sq ft
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1.29-acre lot
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$799,000
➡️ https://northshorepropertyshop.com/login/redirect...
Why Buyers Are Crossing the Border Into New Hampshire
Looking just beyond Massachusetts often reveals meaningful differences in home size, condition, and total monthly cost.
Salem, NH 03079
Modern Finishes, Strong Condition, Lower Entry Price
Comparable homes in Amesbury, Andover, or Newburyport would typically be smaller, older, and priced higher.
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3 bedrooms | 1 bathroom
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1,388 sq ft
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0.37-acre lot
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$639,900
➡️ https://northshorepropertyshop.com/.../4-Mulberry-RD...
Salem, NH 03079
Significantly More Space for the Money
In many Massachusetts towns, a home like this would cost substantially more with less overall space.
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3 bedrooms | 3 bathrooms
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2,260 sq ft
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0.41-acre lot
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$825,000
➡️ https://northshorepropertyshop.com/.../10-Evelyn-RD-Salem...
The Biggest Mistake Buyers Make Right Now
The most common—and costly—mistake I see buyers make is deciding what’s “out of reach” before seeing the full market.
Buyers often:
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Lock into one town too early
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Assume nearby towns offer the same value
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Skip comparing taxes and inventory
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Miss homes that quietly offer more for the same payment
In today’s market, flexibility creates leverage—and leverage creates options.
Frequently Asked Questions Buyers Ask
Is it smart to expand my home search to nearby towns?
Yes. Expanding your search by even one or two towns can reveal better layouts, newer homes, or lower taxes—without increasing your budget.
Are homes in Southern New Hampshire really a better value?
Often, yes. Buyers frequently find more square footage and newer condition in towns like Salem, NH compared to similarly priced homes in nearby Massachusetts communities.
Does expanding my search mean a longer commute?
Not always. Many neighboring towns offer similar commute times with very different price points and home styles.
How do I know which towns are worth considering?
That depends on your priorities—space, condition, schools, taxes, and commute. Local market knowledge matters here.
Thinking About Buying? Let’s Get Strategic
If you’re asking “What else is out there?”—that’s usually the right instinct.
I can:
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Compare similar price points across multiple towns
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Identify value pockets most buyers overlook
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Track price improvements and motivated sellers
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Watch for off-market and private sale opportunities
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Help you evaluate total monthly cost—not just list price
If you tell me the towns you’re watching, I’ll help you see what you might be missing—no pressure, just clarity.
These homes are not my listings. I am not the listing agent. All information is sourced from the MLS.
I can represent you as a buyer’s agent on these homes or any others you’re considering.
About the Author
Lisa Sevajian is a top-ranked real estate advisor serving Andover, North Andover, Amesbury, Haverhill, Newburyport, and Southern New Hampshire. With over $276 million in closed residential real estate sales, Lisa is known for helping buyers and sellers make confident, data-driven decisions in changing and often confusing markets.
Her approach goes beyond simply showing homes. Lisa focuses on market clarity, value strategy, and total monthly cost analysis, helping buyers understand not just what is for sale—but where the best opportunities actually are.
Lisa has been featured in Forbes, USA Today, The Boston Globe, and WCVB Channel 5, and is consistently ranked among the top 1–2% of real estate professionals nationwide.
In This Article
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Why buyers feel stuck in their home search
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What the same budget buys in different towns
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Why Southern New Hampshire offers surprising value
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The biggest mistake buyers make right now
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FAQs buyers ask before expanding their search
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About the author
