All Forum Posts by: Jaylan Archer

That's exciting Aaron! 

Can I ask what price point you are looking to be in with your build? 

You definitely have options, but if you are looking to stay on the more affordable side of things, you might be better off purchasing an existing plan and tweaking that rather than working with an architecture firm from scratch. 

@Jaycee Greene Lebanon, Maine is definitely still considered southern Maine. It's in York County which is the southern most county in Maine and is also a border town to NH. Are you working on something in Lebanon? 

Have you had any negatives from renting out portable storage containers? Do tenants know they are getting them compared to a 'traditional' unit. Are they typically the same price as the same sized 'traditional' self storage unit?

The storage containers are so fascinating. I know many towns have caught on and banned them, but the return with them seems so favorable and you can expand at your pace without needing to do significant planning board approvals for an expansion, site work, additional pavement or lighting. I've yet been able to use them but hoping for it in 2026. 

Great post! Have you found that the storage containers count towards impermeable or permeable? I know some towns outright won't allow storage containers but didn't know if there were other considerations with containers. 

Hey Ryan!

Would love to be added to any buyer list you have. 

Congrats David! 

Super exciting to see what you have been working on and wanting to accomplish for years come to fruition. Dover is a fantastic market and I really believe it benefits from both the ability to cash flow and a market that appreciates very well. The proximity to Portsmouth has really pushed both rent and market prices up signifcantly over the years. With the addition of projects like the orpheum and the waterfront development well on its way I think Dover might be one of the best buys along the seacoast right now. 

Was this strictly an investment for you or are you looking to owner occupy your purchase?

I know the seacoast of NH has been mentioned here but I wanted to point out a few options that could be considered.

Hampton, a popular coastal town, has strong demand for multifamily units near the beach and a robust short-term rental market, especially in summer. However, the market is competitive, and rental regulations are becoming stricter. Portsmouth, known for its historic charm, offers higher prices but strong demand for both multifamily properties and short-term rentals, with premium rental rates for well-located properties. Very hard to find multi-family properties that cash flow in this A market. The short-term rental market here is particularly lucrative, though regulatory changes can impact profitability. 

Moving inland, Dover presents a more affordable option with rising demand for multifamily units and a steady rental market, though its short-term rental potential is less robust than coastal towns. Still, it offers solid cash flow potential, especially in multifamily properties with cap rates around 7-9%. Lastly, Rochester, the most affordable of the four, provides great opportunities for investors looking for higher cap rates (8-10%) in multifamily properties. Personally I think there are great opportunities in Dover, Somersworth and Rochester.

 Overall, Hampton and Portsmouth are best for premium short-term rental opportunities, while Dover and Rochester provide more affordable and potentially higher-yielding investments in multifamily properties.

Hey Alaina,

I love the vision you and your husband have! Real estate investing can absolutely be a game-changer when it comes to freeing up your time and helping shape the community you care about—especially in our beautiful region.

You’re on the right track by diving into BiggerPockets. It’s an invaluable resource for figuring out the best strategies for your goals. A few things I’d suggest as a local investor:

Know Your Markets: New England is a mix of urban, suburban, and rural areas with very different dynamics. Seacoast NH, for example, has some great potential with short-term rental markets (Airbnb, VRBO), especially in towns like Portsmouth or Hampton, but the regulations can be a bit tricky. You'll want to get really familiar with local zoning laws, short-term rental rules, and landlord-tenant laws as they vary by town if you plan on going the STR route.

Focus on Cash Flow Early On: You might be tempted to go for something that appreciates quickly, but in the early stages, it’s important to find properties that bring in cash flow. Consider duplexes or triplexes that can help offset your mortgage and provide steady income while you figure things out. Seacoast has a mix of those, especially in towns with younger populations, think Dover, Newmarket, Somersworth, Sanford, Biddeford. This would be more of a multi-family buy and hold play. 

One last piece of advice—don’t rush. Your first deal is important, but you don’t need to be in a hurry. Do your due diligence, understand the area, and make sure your numbers work before jumping in. The first one will likely determine how quickly that second purchase can be made. 

Good luck, and feel free to reach out if you have specific questions as you go along!

Happy investing!

Hi Cecily and John! 

Welcome to the exciting journey of real estate investing in the Seacoast and surrounding areas! I'm also in the Seacoast region (NH and ME) and own some rental property nearby, so I know these markets well. The towns you're targeting—Rochester, Dover, Farmington, and Milton—offer great potential, especially for flipping and buy-and-hold multifamily investments. Rochester and Dover are seeing steady appreciation and rental demand thanks to ongoing development and proximity to Portsmouth - hard to find great deals here. Milton and Farmington can be excellent choices, too, often with more budget-friendly options and the chance to add value in less saturated areas, might have better cash flow luck here.

For lenders and agents, I'd recommend networking with those who have experience specifically in the NH Seacoast markets since these towns can vary in terms of tenant demographics and rental demands. Happy to share more insights, and I'd love to connect if you’re looking for local contacts or want to brainstorm strategies.

4o