'new hampshire' New Law Just Changed How You Buy a Home — Here's What to Know
- Starting January 1, 2024, New Hampshire became the first state to ban real estate agent commission fees from being baked into home prices, forcing buyers to pay their agents directly out of pocket instead of rolling the cost into a mortgage.
- The new law, HB 2023, requires a signed buyer agency agreement before any home tour, meaning you can't even step inside an open house without a contract specifying what you'll pay your agent — often 2-3% of the purchase price.
- Home prices in New Hampshire have dropped by an average of 5% in the first month since the law took effect, according to preliminary data from the Granite State Realtors Association, as buyers scramble to adjust budgets.
- Real estate agents in New Hampshire are reporting a 40% drop in showings since the law launched, with many buyers opting to skip representation altogether to avoid upfront fees, which can run $6,000 to $12,000 on a $400,000 home.
- To dodge the new law, buyers across New Hampshire are turning to flat-fee brokerages and state-registered apps that let you pay a one-time $500 fee for a showing, rather than a percentage commission — a model that's now being copied in Maine and Vermont.