Top New Hampshire Vacation Home Markets

In 2020, the year of the COVID-19 pandemic, we have received a skyrocketing increase in inquiries. Because of this, many people contacted us wanting to build primary and vacation homes in New Hampshire. Most of these inquiries are from people interested in building a vacation home here. But some people are those looking to move here permanently from other states like Massachusetts, Connecticut, and New York. At Davis Frame Company we have always worked with clients on their primary and secondary homes, however, secondary homes definitely make up a good chunk of our business.

Why is New Hampshire so popular for second homes? The quick answer is that it’s easily accessible from the Boston metro area. It offers smaller and more rural living options. Also, these rural towns with their open spaces are in favor because of social distancing. And New Hampshire is beautiful (we may be biased), with pristine lakes and glorious mountains, and opportunities for four-season enjoyment.

Let’s explore the top regions of interest: Lake Sunapee, the Lakes Region surrounding Lake Winnipesaukee, and the White Mountains.

Lake Sunapee Region

The Lake Sunapee region has a lot to offer recreationally. The beautiful Lake Sunapee is a joy in the warmer months, and Mount Sunapee offers year-round fun with hiking, skiing, and snowboarding. No matter the season, there’s always something to do. Lake Sunapee is just over 8 miles long and offers a quiet place to enjoy lakeside living. Whether you like to boat, sail, fish, or just swim, Sunapee makes a great getaway spot. Plus, many are drawn to the Lake Sunapee region is for its superior clean water – the lake is known to be one of the top cleanest in the U.S.

lake sunapee vacation destination

In winter, Mount Sunapee offers great skiing for the family with varied terrain – easy green circles alongside challenging black diamonds. Its an ideal skiers and snowboarders of all abilities. In the Summer and Fall, Mount Sunapee has a recreational park that includes mountain biking, zip lines, and aerial courses. And the on-mountain hiking trails deliver breathtaking views of Lake Sunapee below. For the yoga enthusiast, a local instructor offers yoga classes on top of Mount Sunapee or on a Lake Sunapee’s Newbury harbor dock during the summer months.

This area has become a very popular destination, mainly because of its proximity to the Boston metro area, as well as easy access for those coming north on I91 from Massachusetts and Connecticut. The Lake Sunapee region is also within a 30-minute drive to one of the top hospitals in the U.S., Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center – another big plus!

The Lakes Region/Lake Winnipesaukee

The Lakes Region offers over 200 bodies of water. It includes the state’s biggest and most visited lake, Lake Winnipesaukee . Lake Winnipesaukee, located within 7 towns, is approximately 21 miles long with 258 islands. It has been a popular tourist destination for more than a century. The lake is a natural draw for vacationers who enjoy water activities such as boating, kayaking, fishing, and swimming. Besides all the freshwater fun, a sizeable portion of the region’s tourism revolves around things like hiking, winter sports, shopping, and even summer concerts. The region is a great second home destination that can be enjoyed 12 months a year.

Photo Credit: visitnh.gov

Over the past few years, we’ve worked on several Lake Winnipesaukee projects, including homes in Meredith, Wolfeboro, Tuftonboro, and Moultonborough. We’ve taken part in creating large vacation homes and small family cottages built for generations to come. Along with Lake Winnipesaukee are a few other lakes that make up this Lakes Region of New Hampshire. The popular lakes include Lake Winnisquam, Lake Wentworth, Squam Lake, and Newfound Lake.

lake winnipesaukee vacation timber frame home

Beautiful hybrid timber frame home built in Meredith, New Hampshire right on Lake Winnipesaukee. 

Are you interested in learning more about building a home in the Lakes Region? Call us to discuss your ideas. Our project managers are very familiar with the area.

White Mountains

The White Mountains region of New Hampshire also offers a lot to do and has been a popular tourist destination for years. The area features dramatic views of mountains and natural forests everywhere you go. Mount Washington is the most rugged mountain in New England. Furthermore, it’s also easy to get to the White Mountains from the Boston metro area, making it a desirable place for a second home. The region offers an abundance of hiking trails, multiple ski areas, waterways for swimming, and kid-friendly parks to visit.

Over the past few years, we’ve seen a tremendous increase in interest from people planning to build vacation homes up in the mountains where they can enjoy all four seasons. This year we have noticed that the White Mountains region is now the leading choice for those looking to build in the area. We have several projects coming up in the region over the next few months.

Some of the most popular towns for building, where we’ve crafted second homes for customers, include Franconia (near Cannon Mountain), Lincoln (near Loon Mountain), and North Conway (Mount Cranmore). We’ve built over a half dozen homes in the White Mountains over the past couple of years. Timber frame living is very desirable in this area because of the natural ambiance of the surroundings, allowing homeowners to enjoy the natural beauty of wood inside and outside.

Between 2020 and 2021, we have 7 projects in the White Mountains region.

white mountains nh timber frame vacation home

Beautiful White Mountains timber frame ski home! The timber frame features spectacular views of the mountains nearby.

We have many exciting projects coming up in New Hampshire. Are you interested in building a second home in New Hampshire? Call us at 800.636.0993 to schedule a visit to our facilities.