Trying to make sense of Nashua’s housing numbers so you can plan your next move with confidence? You are not alone. Inventory, days on market, and sale-to-list can feel abstract until you know how they work together. In this guide, you’ll learn what each metric means, how to read them for Nashua and Hillsborough County, and how to use them to set smart expectations as a buyer or seller. Let’s dive in.
What MOI, DOM, and sale-to-list mean
Months of inventory (MOI)
MOI estimates how long it would take to sell all current active listings at the recent sales pace. The formula is simple: MOI = active listings ÷ average monthly sales for the same time window. Many analysts use a rolling 12 months for stability.
As a rule of thumb, under about 3 months suggests a strong seller’s market. Three to six months is closer to balanced. Over six months points to buyer leverage. These thresholds are widely used in industry reporting, including resources from the National Association of Realtors. Your takeaway: always segment by property type and price band because a tight $350,000 to $500,000 segment can live inside a softer upper-tier market.
Days on market (DOM)
DOM counts the time between when a listing goes active and when it goes under contract or is removed. Median DOM is more useful than averages because a few outliers can skew the mean. Rolling 30-, 90-, or 180-day medians help smooth out noise.
Lower DOM shows strong demand and quicker decision-making by buyers. Moderate DOM signals steady conditions. High DOM indicates buyers have more time and sellers may need to adjust pricing or presentation. Compare DOM to local history rather than national figures, since listing strategies and seasonality vary by market.
Sale-to-list ratio
This metric compares the final sale price to the original list price. Sale-to-list = sale price ÷ original list price × 100%. Above 100 percent means buyers are paying over asking. Around 98 to 100 percent is balanced to seller-leaning. Below roughly 95 percent suggests buyers are negotiating material discounts.
Pricing strategies can affect this number. Underpricing to spark multiple offers can push ratios over 100 percent, while overpricing can result in reductions before a sale. Read this alongside MOI and DOM for a complete picture.
Nashua and Hillsborough County context
Greater Boston influence
Nashua sits at the Massachusetts border and draws demand from Greater Boston commuters. Price differentials and job centers in Cambridge–Newton–Framingham shape activity here, especially for buyers who want more space while staying connected to Boston employment hubs. Commuting patterns in the U.S. Census Bureau’s data portal and OnTheMap help explain this cross-border flow.
New Hampshire’s tax landscape
New Hampshire does not tax wage income, which can attract some Massachusetts buyers seeking overall affordability. For background on state tax structure, see the Tax Foundation’s New Hampshire profile. Taxes are one factor among many, yet they often show up in buyer conversations about Nashua.
Seasonality and segments
Spring and early summer typically bring the most new listings and sales, while late fall and winter slow down. Look at year-over-year comparisons for the same month to separate seasonality from true trend shifts. Also segment by property type and price tier. Starter homes often post lower MOI, shorter DOM, and higher sale-to-list ratios than upper-tier single-family homes and many condos.
How to read today’s market without the noise
Scenario A: Hot market
Signals: MOI under about 3 months, low DOM, and a sale-to-list ratio above 100 percent. Expect multiple offers in popular price ranges and quick decision timelines.
What to do:
- Sellers: prep, stage, and price to attract a wide buyer pool. Set a clear offer timeline.
- Buyers: secure a strong pre-approval, move quickly, and be realistic about terms.
Scenario B: Balanced conditions
Signals: MOI near 4 to 6 months, DOM in a moderate range, and sale-to-list around 98 to 100 percent. There is room for negotiation, but standout homes still draw attention.
What to do:
- Sellers: price competitively and expect normal contingencies.
- Buyers: negotiate on inspections and timing, and be ready when a great fit hits the market.
Scenario C: Buyer’s market
Signals: MOI above 6 months, longer DOM, and sale-to-list under 95 percent. Supply exceeds demand and concessions are more common.
What to do:
- Sellers: consider price improvements, stronger marketing, or credits for closing costs.
- Buyers: take time to compare options and negotiate terms that fit your goals.
What this means if you are buying in Nashua
- Get segment-specific. Focus on the MOI, DOM, and sale-to-list trends for your target price band and property type rather than citywide averages.
- Watch flow metrics. New listings versus pendings tell you how fast good homes are getting scooped up.
- Prepare for speed. If median DOM is short in your band, line up pre-approval and be ready to tour quickly.
- Balance commute and lifestyle. Cross-border demand can tighten certain commuter-friendly niches. Use local context to time your offers.
What this means if you are selling in Nashua
- Price to the market. Align your list price with the most recent sale-to-list and DOM patterns in your micro-segment.
- Optimize days 1 to 10. In faster bands, early momentum drives outcomes. Invest in presentation and launch strategy.
- Track price reductions. If the share of reductions rises in your segment, be proactive rather than waiting out stale DOM.
- Set expectations by tier. A home at $450,000 and one above $800,000 will not behave the same. Your plan should reflect that reality.
How we calculate and where data comes from
We use clear, repeatable methods to keep the story accurate:
- MOI: active listings today ÷ average monthly closed sales over the prior 12 months for the same segment. Rolling 12 months improves stability.
- DOM: median days on market over a recent rolling window, using cumulative DOM where available to avoid resets.
- Sale-to-list: sale price divided by original list price. Reporting the median provides a better read than individual outliers.
Primary sources include local MLS reporting and county or town snapshots from the New Hampshire Association of Realtors Market Trends. For methodology context and national conventions, see NAR Research & Statistics. For local permitting or property context, check the City of Nashua resources. Public portals can show different counts than MLS, which is why MLS remains the reference point.
Update cadence and what to watch next
A practical cadence is monthly updates with deeper quarterly dives. In each update, track:
- MOI overall and by price band
- Median DOM for 30-, 90-, and 180-day windows
- Median sale price year over year
- Sale-to-list median and the share of sales above 100 percent
- Active inventory, new listings, and pendings
- Share of active listings with price reductions
This mix shows both supply and demand and helps you separate seasonal swings from real trend changes.
Ready to translate these signals into a move that fits your goals in Nashua or across Hillsborough County? Reach out to Alex Betses for local guidance and premium marketing that puts your plan first.
FAQs
What is months of inventory and why it matters in Nashua?
- MOI tells you how long it would take to sell all active listings at the current pace; lower MOI means tighter conditions and often more competition in specific price bands.
How should I interpret days on market in my price range?
- Look at the median DOM for your exact segment on a rolling basis; shorter DOM suggests acting faster, while longer DOM means more room to compare and negotiate.
What does a sale-to-list ratio over 100 percent mean for offers?
- It usually indicates competitive bidding, so plan a strong, well-documented offer and focus on terms as well as price.
How does the Greater Boston job market affect Nashua pricing?
- Cross-border commuting and price gaps can pull demand into Nashua, influencing inventory and speed, especially in commuter-friendly segments.
When should a seller consider a price reduction in Nashua?
- If showings and offers lag your segment’s typical DOM and the share of reductions rises, a timely price adjustment can restore momentum.
