5 Smart Strategies to Win in Seacoast Maine and New Hampshire's Competitive Housing Market

The traditional advice of pre-approval, moving quickly, and making competitive offers is still good, but often falls short in today's tough market. With limited inventory and plenty of bidding wars in Seacoast Maine and New Hampshire, you need some unexpected strategies to outshine the competition and secure your dream home.

1. Write a “Love Letter” to the Seller—But Make It Strategic, Not Personal

Buyer letters can be effective, but many don’t hit the mark because they focus too much on the buyer’s emotions. Worse, they might accidentally include information that could lead to discrimination issues. Instead, make the letter about the seller and their needs.

How to do it right:

• Research the seller’s motivations. Are they downsizing? Moving for a job? Selling an investment property?
• Focus on why you’re the right buyer for them, not just why you love the house.
• Compliment home details that showcase pride of ownership, like custom woodwork, landscaping, or unique design elements.

Example:

“We noticed the amazing garden beds in your backyard. The care you’ve put into them is inspiring! If we’re lucky enough to call this home ours, we’d love to keep them thriving.”

Tip: Keep it brief, genuine, and focus on the seller. Avoid mentioning personal details that might raise Fair Housing concerns.

2. Offer a Seller Leaseback—Even if You Don’t Need One

Quick closings are often overrated. Many sellers, especially in Seacoast Maine and New Hampshire, value flexibility more. They may need time to find their next home or smoothly transition out.

How to use this to your advantage:

• Offer a leaseback allowing the seller to stay in the home for an agreed period after closing, often 30–60 days.
• Sweeten the deal with low-cost or free rent for a short period (if financially feasible).
• Ensure everything is safe with a formal agreement and appropriate insurance coverage.

Example:

“We can offer you a 45-day leaseback, giving you extra time to transition smoothly to your next home without the stress of moving immediately.”

Tip: This can sometimes be more appealing to sellers than higher offers that don’t give them the flexibility they need.

3. Get Hyper-Local Intel from Neighbors

Many homes in Seacoast Maine and New Hampshire sell without ever being listed, often through private sales. Getting ahead of the game can be a game-changer.

How to do it:

• Walk the neighborhood and chat with homeowners and local businesses about who might be looking to sell.
• Send handwritten letters to homes you admire, expressing your interest in buying directly.
• Join neighborhood Facebook groups or platforms like Nextdoor to catch early mentions of potential sales.

Example Note:

“Hi! My name is [Your Name], and I’m looking to buy a home in this neighborhood. Your home is lovely, and it’s exactly what I’m looking for. If you (or anyone you know around here) are considering selling soon, I’d love to chat. No pressure though. Feel free to text me at [Your Contact Info].”

Tip: Some sellers prefer private sales to avoid showings and bidding wars.

4. Use an Escalation Clause Wisely

In a hot market like Seacoast Maine and New Hampshire, it’s tough to know how much to offer without overpaying. An escalation clause can keep you competitive without blowing your budget.

How it works:

• Submit an offer stating: “I will pay $X,000 over the highest competing offer, up to a maximum price of $Y.”
• This keeps you in the running without immediately jumping to your highest price.

Example:

If you offer $400,000 with an escalation of $5,000 over the highest offer (up to $420,000), and another buyer bids $405,000, your offer would automatically escalate to $410,000—just enough to win.

Tip: Some sellers prefer straightforward offers. If that's the case, try using an odd, non-round number (e.g., $402,350 instead of $400,000). That tiny difference can make a big impact.

5. Get Creative with Your Down Payment & Earnest Money

Sellers want buyers who seem financially solid and can close with minimal risk. Even if you’re financing, you can show financial stability in several ways:

Increase your Earnest Money Deposit (EMD):

• Standard earnest money is 1–3% of the purchase price. Bumping it to 5% or more shows strong commitment.

Use Non-Traditional Funding to Strengthen Your Offer:

• Consider borrowing from a 401(k) (some plans allow penalty-free withdrawals for home purchases).
• Ask family for a gift fund to increase your down payment.
• Explore bridge loans to access equity from your existing home if necessary.

Example:

“We’re putting down a $25,000 earnest deposit upfront to show our commitment, and we’re fully pre-approved with a guaranteed closing timeline.”

Tip: Some lenders offer fully underwritten pre-approvals, which are stronger than regular pre-approvals and make your offer almost as strong as cash.

Final Thoughts

Winning in Seacoast Maine and New Hampshire's competitive market is about more than just outbidding other buyers. It’s about making your offer the most appealing in every way possible.

• Be strategic, not just aggressive.
• Offer what the seller truly values.
• Leverage creative approaches other buyers aren’t considering.

Which of these strategies surprised you most? Have you tried any unconventional approaches to secure a home?