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Lisa Sevajian, Realtor, Lisa Sevajian Group at eXp RealtyLisa SevajianRealtor · Lisa Sevajian Group at eXp RealtyCall 978-457-3406

By Lisa Sevajian, Realtor · Last updated October 24, 2026 · 19 min read

Dreaming of Andover MA but Hoping to Spend a Little Less? Here Are Some Options to Consider

Shops along Main Street in downtown Andover MA

The quick answer: You can still get into Andover MA for less. Townhouse condos at Temple Place, Abbot's Pond and Ballardvale Crossing sold for medians under $700,000. With 57 single family homes for sale on October 24, you have more room to ask for a better price. If nothing feels right, nearby towns cost less per square foot.

You've toured six houses in Andover MA. The ones you love are over your number. The ones under it need a new kitchen and a new roof. You'd think the answer is to give up on Andover MA. It usually isn't.

If you're stuck right here, you aren't alone. Almost everyone starts their search in Andover MA, and those homes earn their price.

Here's the good news. There's more than one way into Andover MA. This fall you have more choices than you've had in years.

Let's start with Andover MA. Then, if you aren't seeing anything you love, I'll show you some other options to consider.

Part 1Homes for sale in Andover MA

In this guide

Which houses are for sale in Andover MA right now?

Here are the houses for sale in Andover MA right now, live from the MLS. This list updates on its own, and the newest ones show first. Tap any home for photos and details.

Part 2Andover MA right now

What's happening in the Andover MA market right now?

Here's the real picture as of October 24, 2026. These are this year's numbers so far, side by side with the same stretch last year.

Single family homes in Andover MA

57

homes for sale today

Up 96.55% from 29 last year.

$1,296,794

average sale price

Up 2.56% from $1,264,450.

19 days

to an offer

13.64% faster than last year's 22.

3.59%

over the asking price

What buyers paid, on average.

202

homes sold this year

Down 14.77% from 237.

Condos and townhouses in Andover MA

27

condos for sale today

Up 12.50% from 24 last year.

$633,340

average sale price

Up 5.80% from $598,623.

31 days

to an offer

10.71% longer than last year's 28.

0.49%

under the asking price

Last year buyers paid 1.83% over.

87

condos sold this year

Up 8.75% from 80.

What this means if you want Andover MA for less

  1. You have more choices than a year ago. Single family homes for sale are up 96.55%, so you can be pickier and compare before you decide.
  2. Condos give you the most room to talk price right now. Offers are taking longer, and buyers are paying 0.49% under what sellers ask. That's your opening to ask, "Is the seller open to a lower price?"
  3. Single family homes still sell fast. The good ones get offers in 19 days and sell for 3.59% over the price the seller was asking. When the right one shows up, be ready: pre-approved, with your monthly payment already worked out.
  4. Watch for price changes. 72 single family homes (up 7.46%) and 43 condos (up 19.44%) have dropped their price so far this year. Those sellers have already shown they're flexible.

Data: MLS PIN Andover MA Year-Over-Year Area Market Review, single family and condominium, January 1 to October 24, 2026 compared with the same period in 2025. Figures are averages.

Part 3Local favorites and a day in Andover MA

How do you spend a day in Andover MA?

Here's how I'd spend a Saturday in Andover MA, from your first coffee to your next great meal. Every stop is a local favorite, and you'll find each one in the collection below.

Old Town Hall and Main Street in downtown Andover MA at dusk
Downtown Andover MA at dusk.

Morning in Andover MA

  • Coffee: Start at Ultimate Perk, family owned since 2003.
  • Brunch: Head to LaRosa's for Italian classics.
  • Farmers market: From June to October, the farmers market in Andover MA fills 34 Bartlet Street on Saturdays. You'll want a bag for flowers and bread.

Midday outside

Afternoon in town

Samuel Phillips Hall on the Phillips Academy campus in Andover MA
The Phillips Academy campus, home of the Addison Gallery, in Andover MA.

Your next great meal

  • Try 34 Park for a fresh take on Italian, or The Autograph on Main Street for an American tavern night.

Local favorites in Andover MA

Each Instagram post belongs to the business that shared it. Give them a follow, and tell them you found them here.

Coffee

Ultimate Perk

A family owned coffee shop since 2003. You’ll want a seat outside when the sun’s out.

See this post from @ultimateperk on Instagram

Photo and post by @ultimateperk on Instagram. Give them a follow.

Italian

LaRosa’s

Italian classics since 2009. You can try their new fall dishes right now.

See this post from @larosas_italian on Instagram

Photo and post by @larosas_italian on Instagram. Give them a follow.

Farmers market

Andover MA Farmers Market

Saturdays June through October at 34 Bartlet Street. Farms, food and local makers. It’s back next June.

See this post from @andovermafarmersmarket on Instagram

Photo and post by @andovermafarmersmarket on Instagram. Give them a follow.

Bookstore

The bookstore on Main Street

At 74 Main Street since 1809. It calls itself America’s oldest independent bookstore.

See this post from @andoverbookstore on Instagram

Photo and post by @andoverbookstore on Instagram. Give them a follow.

Art museum

Addison Gallery of American Art

On the Phillips Academy campus, open to the public, and admission is always free.

See this post from @addisongalleryofamericanart on Instagram

Photo and post by @addisongalleryofamericanart on Instagram. Give them a follow.

Restaurant

34 Park

A fresh take on Italian, with lunch, dinner, brunch and cocktails on Park Street.

See this post from @34parkstreet on Instagram

Photo and post by @34parkstreet on Instagram. Give them a follow.

Tavern

The Autograph

An American tavern on Main Street, with big screens on game day and a new fall menu.

See this post from @autographtavern on Instagram

Photo and post by @autographtavern on Instagram. Give them a follow.

Part 43 ways into Andover MA for less

Can you buy in Andover MA for less?

Yes. Most people picture a big single family home when they think of Andover MA. That's not the only way in.

Here are your three options, with real numbers for each one. Tap one to jump to it.

Option 1: Negotiate the price or a rate buydown

Are sellers willing to drop their prices and negotiate in Andover MA?

Condo sellers are. Single family sellers mostly aren't, unless their home has been for sale a while. Here's what that means for you, with this year's real numbers.

Andover MA condos

  • Buyers paid 0.49% under the price the seller was asking. Last year they paid 1.83% over.
  • Compared with the first price the seller asked, buyers paid 2.35% under. Last year they paid 1.11% over.
  • 32.82% of condos dropped their price, 43 of the 131 that came up for sale.

Andover MA single family homes

  • Buyers paid 3.59% over the price the seller was asking, about the same as last year.
  • 22.43% dropped their price, 72 of the 321 that came up for sale. That's the same as last year.
  • 57 homes are for sale right now, and they've been on the market 85 days on average. The ones that sell get an offer in 19.

So if you love a home that just came up for sale, be ready to pay what the seller asks, or more. If you love one that's been for sale a few weeks, that seller may be ready to talk. That's when I calmly ask my favorite question for you: "Is the seller open to a lower price?"

Data: MLS PIN Andover MA Year-Over-Year Area Market Review, January 1 to October 24, 2026.

See the full numbers in my Andover MA market report.

Can the seller pay to lower your monthly payment in Andover MA?

Yes. It's called a rate buydown, and a 2-1 buydown is the most common one. Here's how it works in plain English.

The seller sets money aside at closing. That money pays part of your mortgage for your first two years. You still get your regular loan. You just pay less each month while you settle in.

  • Year 1, the "2": your payment is what it would be if your rate were 2% lower.
  • Year 2, the "1": your payment is what it would be if your rate were 1% lower.
  • Year 3 and on: you pay your regular payment.

Here's what that looks like on the average Andover MA condo this year, with 10% down at today's 7.32% rate:

$3,172

a month in year 1

You save $743 a month.

$3,536

a month in year 2

You save $380 a month.

$3,916

a month from year 3 on

Your regular payment.

The seller pays about $13,477 for that, which is 2.13% of the price.

Here's why it's worth asking about. If the seller took that same $13,477 off the price instead, your payment would only drop about $83 a month. With the buydown, you keep about $13,477 in your pocket over your first two years.

So when I ask, "Is the seller open to a lower price?", I also ask if they'd help with a rate buydown instead. Some sellers would rather help with your payments than lower their price. Your lender sets the exact numbers and how much a seller can put toward it, so talk with them before you make your offer.

Example: average Andover MA condo sale of $633,340 (MLS PIN, January 1 to October 24, 2026), 10% down, 30-year fixed at 7.32% (Freddie Mac, October 22, 2026). Principal and interest only, rounded to the dollar. The buydown doesn't change your loan's regular rate.

Option 2: A townhouse condo

Which Andover MA condos and townhouses cost less?

Three complexes in Andover MA have sold for medians under $700,000 over the last two years. You still get the Andover MA address and the town you love. There's just less to take care of.

Andover MA complexMedian saleMedian monthly feeAbout the complex
Temple Place$650,000$44017 condos in historic homes off High Street, near downtown
Abbot's Pond$670,000$39345 townhouse condos built in 1988
Ballardvale Crossing$682,000$429, water and sewer included68 townhouse condos in the Ballardvale village, near the train

Data: MLS PIN sales, October 2024 to October 2026.

A condo fee is part of your monthly payment, so add it in before you decide. Each guide above shows what the fee covers. If you're 62 or older, Riverside Woods is a 62 plus community in Andover MA with a median sale of $617,000.

What's the monthly payment on an Andover MA condo?

About $4,566 a month before your condo fee, on the average Andover MA condo this year. Here's how it adds up, so you can see the number before you fall in love with a home.

  • Average condo sale: $633,340
  • 10% down: $63,334, so you borrow $570,006
  • Principal and interest at 7.32%: $3,916 a month
  • Property tax at Andover MA's $12.31 rate: $650 a month
  • Condo fee at the three complexes above: $393 to $440 a month

All in, that's about $4,959 to $5,006 a month, plus homeowners insurance. With less than 20% down, most loans also add mortgage insurance. Your lender can give you your exact number.

For comparison, the average Andover MA single family home sold for $1,296,794 this year. With the same 10% down, that's about $9,347 a month before insurance. That's why a condo can be your way into Andover MA.

Data: MLS PIN average condo and single family sale prices, January 1 to October 24, 2026. Rate: Freddie Mac 30-year fixed average, October 22, 2026. Tax: MA Division of Local Services, Andover MA FY2026 rate. 30-year fixed loan, rounded to the dollar.

Option 3: A home that needs some updating

Should you buy a home in Andover MA that needs some work?

It can be a smart way in, if you go in with your eyes open. A home that needs a new kitchen or roof usually sells for less than one that's been redone.

Get quotes for the big items before you make your offer. Then decide what you'll do now and what can wait. You can't change the street, but you can change a kitchen.

Want help with any of these options? I'll pull every Andover MA home and condo in your price range and help you ask the right questions.

Book a time with Lisa Sevajian or call 978-457-3406.

Part 5Other options near Andover MA

If you aren't seeing anything you love in Andover MA, what are some other options to consider?

Sometimes the right home for you is a few minutes away. Here's what your $800,000 buys in five nearby towns, side by side with Andover MA.

TownPrice per square footWhat $800,000 buysDays to an offer
Andover MAabout $420about 1,900 sq ftabout 18
North Andover MAabout $392about 2,040 sq ftabout 21
Haverhill MAabout $339about 2,360 sq ftabout 18
Dracut MAabout $364about 2,200 sq ftabout 13
Salem NHabout $339 (median)about 2,360 sq ftabout 20 (median days on market)
Pelham NHabout $322 (median)about 2,480 sq ftnot reported

Data: MLS PIN averages for the MA towns, July to September 2026. Redfin median for Salem NH, summer 2026. Pelham NH is the median of 33 single family sales on Zillow, July 31 to October 23, 2026.

North Andover MA is the smallest step, right next door. I lived at Mill Pond in North Andover MA with my kids. Morning coffee at Good Day Cafe, the dogs at Weir Hill, launching the kayak. I still miss those mornings.

Haverhill MA has the commuter rail into Boston and a downtown on the Merrimack River. Dracut MA sits next to Lowell MA, and homes there got offers in about 13 days. That's the fastest on this list.

Salem NH and Pelham NH give you the most space. New Hampshire has no state income tax on wages and no general sales tax. Property taxes run higher, though. Run your own numbers with your CPA.

How much home does your money buy in Andover MA right now?

About 1,900 square feet for $800,000. Homes in Andover MA sold for about $420 a square foot from July through September 2026.

Price per square foot is the fairest way for you to compare. It tells you how much house your money buys, whatever the size.

How do property taxes compare with Andover MA?

The Massachusetts towns on this list have lower rates than Andover MA. The New Hampshire towns have higher property tax rates, with no state income tax on wages.

TownTax rate per $1,000Yearly tax on $800,000 assessed
Andover MA$12.31 (FY2026)about $9,850
North Andover MA$11.24 (FY2026)about $8,990
Haverhill MA$10.61 (FY2026)about $8,490
Dracut MA$9.67 (FY2026)about $7,740
Salem NH$18.16 (2025)about $14,530
Pelham NH$19.09 (2025)about $15,270

Data: MA Division of Local Services, Town of Salem NH, Town of Pelham NH.

Massachusetts rates are fiscal year 2026. New Hampshire rates are 2025. Your bill depends on the home's assessed value, which can be different from the price you pay. The state keeps every Massachusetts town's FY2026 numbers in one place.

Which houses are for sale near Andover MA right now?

Here are the houses for sale right now in North Andover MA, Amesbury MA, Newburyport MA, Haverhill MA, Tewksbury MA, Windham NH and Salem NH, live from the MLS. The newest ones show first. Tap any home for photos and details.

How do you decide what's right for you?

Start with the payment, not the town. Here's what I walk my buyers through.

  1. Pick the monthly payment you'd feel good about. Not the most a lender will say yes to.
  2. List the three things your next home has to have. Think home office, yard or first floor bedroom.
  3. Look at Andover MA first. Check condos, homes that need work, and homes for sale a few weeks.
  4. If nothing feels right, compare nearby towns side by side. Look at space and yearly taxes, not just price.

The right house feels like home should, and the payment feels comfortable.

What should you do next?

  1. Write down your comfortable monthly payment, condo fee included.
  2. Tour one Andover MA condo complex from the list above.
  3. Save a search for Andover MA homes that have been for sale more than two weeks.
  4. If you want more space, pick one nearby town to visit on a Saturday.
  5. Call Lisa Sevajian at 978-457-3406 to look at Andover MA together.

For buyers who have their heart set on Andover MA

Want to see what's for sale in Andover MA right now?

Sign up and I'll pull every Andover MA home and condo in your price range. I'll add a few nearby too.

About Lisa Sevajian

Lisa Sevajian, Realtor in Andover MA, Lisa Sevajian GroupLisa Sevajian Group logo, Andover MA

Lisa Sevajian is a Realtor with the Lisa Sevajian Group at eXp Realty, licensed in Massachusetts and New Hampshire. She has guided almost 2,000 families through buying and selling and has ranked in the top 1.5% of over 1.4 million Realtors nationwide, verified by RealTrends. She serves the Andovers, the Merrimack Valley, Seacoast MA and NH, Southern NH and the North Shore. Buying, she makes sure you don't overpay. Selling, she makes sure you don't say yes to too little. Call Lisa Sevajian at 978-457-3406.

Questions people ask

Tap any question to see the answer.

How can I buy in Andover MA for less?

Look at townhouse condos, homes that need updating, and homes for sale a few weeks. Three Andover MA complexes sold for medians under $700,000 over the last two years. They're Temple Place, Abbot's Pond and Ballardvale Crossing.

What are the most affordable condos in Andover MA?

From October 2024 to October 2026, Temple Place sold for a median of $650,000. Abbot's Pond sold for $670,000 and Ballardvale Crossing for $682,000, per MLS PIN.

How much are condo fees in Andover MA?

It depends on the complex. Abbot's Pond had a median fee of $393 a month. Ballardvale Crossing was $429, with water and sewer included.

How much does a house cost in Andover MA in 2026?

From January 1 to October 24, 2026, the average single family home in Andover MA sold for $1,296,794, per MLS PIN. The average condo sold for $633,340.

How many homes are for sale in Andover MA right now?

There were 57 single family homes for sale in Andover MA on October 24, 2026, up 96.55% from 29 on that date in 2025. There were also 27 condos for sale, up 12.50% from 24.

Can you negotiate on a house in Andover MA?

Yes, especially on condos. In 2026, Andover MA condo buyers paid 0.49% under the price the seller was asking, per MLS PIN. Single family homes sold for 3.59% over, so ask about homes that have been for sale a few weeks.

Is there a 62 plus community in Andover MA?

Yes. Riverside Woods in Andover MA is a 62 plus community. At least one person in the home must be 62 or older. It sold for a median of $617,000 over the last two years.

What towns near Andover MA cost less?

Compared to Andover MA, North Andover MA, Haverhill MA, Dracut MA, Salem NH and Pelham NH all cost less per square foot. Haverhill MA and Salem NH sold for about $339 a square foot in fall 2026. Andover MA was about $420.

Is North Andover MA cheaper than Andover MA?

Slightly. North Andover MA homes sold for about $392 a square foot in fall 2026. Andover MA was about $420.

How much house can I get for $800,000 near Andover MA?

About 1,900 square feet in Andover MA, based on fall 2026 prices per square foot. It's about 2,200 in Dracut MA, 2,360 in Haverhill MA or Salem NH and 2,480 in Pelham NH.

Are property taxes higher in Salem NH than in Andover MA?

Yes. Salem NH's 2025 rate is $18.16 per $1,000, and Andover MA's FY2026 rate is $12.31. New Hampshire has no state income tax on wages, so compare your whole budget.

What's the property tax rate in Andover MA?

Andover MA's FY2026 residential rate is $12.31 per $1,000 of assessed value. North Andover MA is $11.24, Haverhill MA $10.61 and Dracut MA $9.67.

Are Andover MA condos selling for less than the asking price?

Yes, slightly. From January 1 to October 24, 2026, Andover MA condos sold for 0.49% under the price the seller was asking, on average, per MLS PIN. In 2025 they sold for 1.83% over.

How fast do homes sell in Andover MA?

Single family homes in Andover MA got an offer in 19 days on average from January 1 to October 24, 2026, per MLS PIN. Condos got an offer in 31 days.

What's the monthly payment on a condo in Andover MA?

About $4,566 a month for principal, interest and property tax on the average Andover MA condo, $633,340, with 10% down at 7.32%. Add the condo fee, $393 to $440 at popular complexes, plus insurance.

Are sellers in Andover MA willing to negotiate?

Condo sellers are. In 2026, 32.82% of Andover MA condos dropped their price, and buyers paid 2.35% under the first asking price, per MLS PIN. Single family homes still sold for 3.59% over the asking price on average.

What's there to do in Andover MA on a Saturday?

Start with coffee at Ultimate Perk, then hike Harold Parker State Forest or Holt Hill at Ward Reservation. Browse the bookstore at 74 Main Street, see the free Addison Gallery of American Art, and end with dinner at 34 Park or The Autograph.

Is there a farmers market in Andover MA?

Yes. The Andover MA farmers market runs on Saturdays from June to October at 34 Bartlet Street, with farms, food and local makers. The 2026 season ran June 20 to October 17.

Where do locals eat in Andover MA?

Local favorites include 34 Park for Italian, LaRosa's for Italian classics and The Autograph, an American tavern on Main Street.

What's a rate buydown?

It's when the seller sets money aside at closing to pay part of your mortgage for a while. In a 2-1 buydown, your first year's payment is figured as if your rate were 2% lower, your second year's as if it were 1% lower, and from year three on you pay your regular payment.

Can the seller pay to lower my interest rate in Andover MA?

Yes, you can ask for it in your offer. On the average 2026 Andover MA condo, a 2-1 buydown would save about $743 a month in year one and $380 in year two, at a cost to the seller of about $13,477. Your lender confirms the exact numbers.

Is a rate buydown better than a price reduction?

It can be. On the average 2026 Andover MA condo, $13,477 toward a 2-1 buydown saves about $743 a month in year one. The same $13,477 off the price lowers the payment only about $83 a month.

Sources

  1. MLS PIN Quarterly Market Reviews, single family: Andover MA and North Andover MA (run October 13, 2026), Haverhill MA (September 16, 2026), Dracut MA (September 27, 2026), plus condo sales October 2024 to October 2026, official MLS data
  2. MLS PIN Year-Over-Year Area Market Review, Andover MA single family and condominium, run October 24, 2026, official MLS data
  3. Massachusetts Division of Local Services: FY2026 tax rates by class, official
  4. Massachusetts Division of Local Services: FY2026 tax levies, assessed values and tax rates, official
  5. Town of Salem NH: 2025 tax rate, official
  6. Town of Pelham NH Assessor: 2025 tax rate, official
  7. Redfin: Salem NH housing market, August 2026, reported
  8. Zillow: Pelham NH recently sold homes, 33 single family sales July 31 to October 23, 2026, median calculated by LSG

This is general information, not legal, tax or lending advice. Check with your attorney, lender and CPA before you decide.

I'll guide you home.

Lisa Sevajian

By Lisa Sevajian, Realtor · October 25, 2026

Love Newburyport MA, Andover MA or Windham NH, but Not the Prices? Here's How I Save You Money

You've got your heart set on one town. The kind of place everyone wants. That's exactly why the prices make you wince.

You love it there. You just don't want to pay those prices. Here's how I save my clients real money in the towns everyone wants, plus the houses buyers are looking at most right now.

Newburyport MA, Andover MA and Windham NH

Want homes in your town and price range?

Tell me where and how much. I'll send you what fits, and how much we could save on each one.

Which houses are buyers looking at most this week?

These are the most viewed houses on Zillow in each town, based on views per day since they were listed. Tap any home for photos and details.

Newburyport MA

245 Northern Blvd, Newburyport MA, house for sale

$2,400,000

245 Northern Blvd, Newburyport MA

3 beds · 3 baths · 2,065 sq ft

1,330 Zillow views and 115 saves in 5 days

See this home
288 Merrimac St, Newburyport MA, house for sale

$1,285,000

288 Merrimac St, Newburyport MA

3 beds · 2 baths · 2,280 sq ft

2,397 Zillow views and 194 saves in 10 days

See this home
107 State St, Newburyport MA, house for sale

$2,995,000

107 State St, Newburyport MA

3 beds · 3 baths · 2,500 sq ft

705 Zillow views and 29 saves in 3 days

See this home
510 Merrimac St, Newburyport MA, house for sale

$1,275,000

510 Merrimac St, Newburyport MA

4 beds · 3 baths · 2,592 sq ft

464 Zillow views and 12 saves in 2 days

See this home

Andover MA

23 Pleasant St, Andover MA, house for sale

$1,850,000

23 Pleasant St, Andover MA

5 beds · 4 baths · 4,783 sq ft

3,363 Zillow views and 83 saves in 7 days

See this home
25 Karlton Cir, Andover MA, house for sale

$1,225,000

25 Karlton Cir, Andover MA

4 beds · 3 baths · 2,586 sq ft

1,619 Zillow views and 94 saves in 5 days

See this home
8 Montclair Ave, Andover MA, house for sale

$1,075,000

8 Montclair Ave, Andover MA

4 beds · 3 baths · 3,080 sq ft

890 Zillow views and 53 saves in 3 days

See this home
13 Wildwood Rd, Andover MA, house for sale

$898,000

13 Wildwood Rd, Andover MA

3 beds · 3 baths · 2,427 sq ft

2,672 Zillow views and 267 saves in 10 days

See this home

Windham NH

7 Tokanel Rd, Windham NH, house for sale

$689,000

7 Tokanel Rd, Windham NH

3 beds · 3 baths · 3,028 sq ft

2,748 Zillow views and 150 saves in 6 days

See this home
21 Oak St, Windham NH, house for sale

$850,000

21 Oak St, Windham NH

3 beds · 2 baths · 1,387 sq ft

6,051 Zillow views and 430 saves in 39 days

See this home
22 Cobbetts Pond Rd, Windham NH, house for sale

$575,000

22 Cobbetts Pond Rd, Windham NH

3 beds · 1 baths · 1,761 sq ft

2,505 Zillow views and 145 saves in 18 days

See this home
20 Bennington Rd, Windham NH, house for sale

$2,750,000

20 Bennington Rd, Windham NH

4 beds · 6 baths · 7,205 sq ft

2,140 Zillow views and 122 saves in 16 days

See this home

Views and saves from Zillow, checked October 25, 2026. Prices can change. Listing information from MLS PIN and PrimeMLS through the Lisa Sevajian Group home search, deemed reliable but not guaranteed; the listing office is shown on each home's page.

How can you pay less in the town you love?

1. Ask the seller for a better price

There are more homes for sale than we've seen in years, and fewer homes are selling. On October 13, Newburyport MA had 46 single family homes for sale, twice the 23 on that date last year. Andover MA had 55, which is 90% more than the 29 last year. More choices and fewer buyers means some sellers are ready to make a deal.

2. Have the seller lower your monthly payment

This one saves you the most money. Instead of only dropping the price, the seller pays to bring down your mortgage rate. On an $800,000 home with 20% down, at today's average rate of 7.32%, a seller paid 2-1 buydown drops your rate 2 points the first year and 1 point the second year. That's about $830 less a month the first year and about $430 less a month the second year. About $15,000 stays in your pocket. A seller can also pay to lower your rate for the life of the loan. Your lender will run your exact numbers.

3. Use the inspection

Say you win a house at a price you love, and the seller is lowering your rate. Then the inspection finds a health or safety issue. The seller's headache doesn't need to be yours. Once a seller knows about a problem, the next buyer will hear about it too, so most would rather fix it or give a little more.

4. Rethink the size

Maybe your next home doesn't need to be a single family. Maybe it doesn't need to be as big as you once pictured. A townhouse, or a house with fewer square feet, in the town you love, plus 1, 2 and 3, can bring your payment right where you want it.

What if you have a home to sell first?

You don't know how much I can save you until we try. You definitely don't know how much I can sell your home for until we talk. Almost every seller I work for needs a place to go too, so I work hard for my sellers to make sure they don't choose the wrong offer or give away too much money.

See every house for sale right now

Newburyport MA

Andover MA

Windham NH

Rate: Freddie Mac 30-year fixed average, October 22, 2026. Payment math is principal and interest only. Homes for sale: MLS PIN 5-Year Market Reviews, single family, Newburyport MA and Andover MA, run October 13, 2026.

About Lisa Sevajian

Lisa Sevajian, Realtor in Andover MA, Lisa Sevajian GroupLisa Sevajian Group logo, Andover MA

Lisa Sevajian is a Realtor with the Lisa Sevajian Group at eXp Realty, licensed in Massachusetts and New Hampshire. She has guided almost 2,000 families through buying and selling and has ranked in the top 1.5% of over 1.4 million Realtors nationwide, verified by RealTrends. She serves the Andovers, the Merrimack Valley, Seacoast MA and NH, Southern NH and the North Shore. Buying, she makes sure you don't overpay. Selling, she makes sure you don't say yes to too little. Call Lisa Sevajian at 978-457-3406.

This is general information, not legal, tax or lending advice. Check with your attorney, lender and CPA before you decide.

I'll guide you home.

Lisa Sevajian