Unlisted: Local real estate, community politics, and the stories shaping life in Greater Newburyport and the North Shore

ine homes are listed above $3 million in Newburyport right now — andzero have sold at that price all year. (Two are listed above $5 million,with the same result: no takers.) So why does everyone suddenly thinktheir house is worth eight figures? We break down the real median saleprice, what's actually closing, and why new construction is skewingevery homeowner's expectations.
Also this episode: are 15-minute cities a conspiracy or just old-townurban planning with a rebrand? Portsmouth's two new workforce housingprojects. Why the "drought means don't build" argument doesn't hold upagainst the data. And Massachusetts' rent control ballot initiative —why even pro-housing advocates aren't sold on it.

Welcome back to Unlisted Episode 9—your go-to source for what's actually happening across Haverhill, Lynn, Newburyport, Amesbury, and the North Shore real estate and development scene.
We dig into a $160 million mixed-use redevelopment reshaping downtown Haverhill, the growing fight over MBTA Communities Act compliance—and the Marblehead town meeting moment that went viral with nearly a million views. We also cover a model affordable senior housing project in Lynn, Newburyport's ongoing battle against mansionization, and the data center boom that's drawing fierce opposition from New Hampshire to Lowell.
In this episode:
• District Square Haverhill: $160M, 396 apartments, 24K sq ft of retail, and why nearby rents are hitting $5K/month• The MBTA Communities Act two years in—and how Marblehead and West Newbury are technically complying without building anything• David from Marblehead: the viral town meeting moment with 900K views and what he said at the State House• Solomon House in Lynn: 150 units, 100% affordable, on the former Union Hospital site—integrated with health care on campus• Newburyport's mansionization workshops and why density, not restrictions, may be the only real answer• The Nottingham, NH data center: 15,000 signatures, 300 residents, and an applicant who withdrew before the vote• The Lowell data center no one agreed to—and AI's environmental cost
If you care about North Shore housing affordability, local zoning, real estate market trends, and the development projects shaping your community, this episode breaks it all down.
Should towns be allowed to technically comply with the MBTA Communities Act by zoning parcels that will never be built on—or is that just bad faith? Let us know.
Hosted by Rachel & Dolores Person of the Person + Person Group, William Raveis Real Estate.
Follow us:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/personpersongrpInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/rachelperson_realtorFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/personpersongrpTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@rachelperson_realtorWebsite: https://www.personpersongrp.com
Contact:Rachel Person-Candelora | rachel.person@raveis.com | 978-873-6358Dolores Person | dolores.person@raveis.com | 978-660-0967

A vacant former hospital. Rumored rodent issues. A proposed 133-unit housing development. And a neighborhood pushing back.
In Episode 8 of Unlisted, Rachel and Dolores break down the controversy surrounding the former J.B. Thomas Hospital site at 15 King Street in Peabody. The vacant property has become the center of a larger debate about housing, traffic, neighborhood concerns, and what should realistically happen when a long-neglected property is finally proposed for redevelopment.
They also discuss the growing controversy around pocket listings and brokerage-exclusive “coming soon” listings. Do private listings actually help sellers—or do they mainly benefit the real estate companies keeping both sides of the transaction in-house?
Plus:
• Salem’s adaptive reuse and affordable housing projects• A potential second Salem commuter rail stop• How economic uncertainty is affecting mortgage rates and the spring housing market• Why buyer demand remains strong across the North Shore and Southern New Hampshire• Newburyport water complaints involving discoloration, odor, geosmin, and manganese
Would you rather see the former hospital redeveloped into housing—or do you think there is a better realistic use for the site?
Hosted by Rachel and Dolores Person of the Person + Person Group at William Raveis Real Estate.
Unlisted covers the real estate, housing, development, and local stories shaping Newburyport, Amesbury, Salem, Peabody, the North Shore, and the Seacoast—the ones you won’t find on the MLS.

ewburyport is proposing new zoning changes to address housing—but will they actually make things worse?
In Episode 7 of Unlisted, we break down the latest proposals around demolition delays, zoning changes, and development across Newburyport, Amesbury, and the Seacoast. We also look at how these policies impact affordability, buyers, and the future of housing on the North Shore.
In this episode, we cover:
Newburyport demolition delay and zoning proposals
The teardown vs. starter home debate
A real-world example of how regulations can push buyers out of the market
New Hampshire’s “missing middle” housing approach
The Amesbury Elementary School redevelopment RFP
Amesbury Point marina controversy and proposed restaurant
Local business updates and community conversation
If you’re interested in real estate, housing policy, zoning changes, and development trends in Massachusetts and New Hampshire, this episode gives you a clear, practical breakdown of what’s happening right now.
⏱️ Timestamps (Podbean)
00:00 Intro00:30 Local Business Drama (M Cacao?)02:05 Newburyport Teardowns Problem03:50 Demolition Delay Proposal Explained05:10 FAR + Lot Coverage Changes06:00 Height Restrictions + ZBA Discretion07:00 Do These Policies Help Affordability?11:00 Zoning Reform vs Restrictions16:40 New Hampshire Zoning Changes (Hampton)20:10 Amesbury Elementary School Redevelopment25:20 Amesbury Point Marina Controversy29:30 Community Impact Discussion30:10 NH Multifamily Law Breakdown33:50 Final Thoughts34:00 Closing + Local Nostalgia
🔍 Podcast Tags (Podbean)
real estate, housing market, zoning, housing affordability, newburyport, amesbury ma, north shore ma, massachusetts real estate, new hampshire real estate, development, urban planning, housing policy, real estate podcast, local news, community development
 

In this episode of Unlisted, we break down some of the latest development and housing stories across the North Shore, including a major new rental proposal in Salem, a controversial project off Kimball Road in Amesbury, a mixed-use infill project on Oakland Street, and a new senior housing development in Rowley.
We also get into a few tax topics that could matter for buyers, homeowners, and families, including gifting money for a child’s down payment, updated rules around Airbnb depreciation, and changes to SALT deductions.
In this episode:
Forest River Residences in Salem
Kimball Road controversy in Amesbury
Carriage Hill Lofts / Oakland Street project
Windward Crossing senior housing in Rowley
Gift funds for home purchases
Airbnb tax deduction changes
SALT deduction updates
Unlisted is your local real estate, development, and housing news show focused on the North Shore and the issues shaping our communities.
 

In Episode 5 of Unlisted, we break down several local housing and development stories shaping communities across the North Shore and Merrimack Valley.
We talk about the proposed 238 Lafayette Road project in Salisbury, housing development in Groveland, changes in Danvers around Liberty Tree Mall, and the bigger debate around Chapter 40B, affordability, density, and what these projects actually mean for local residents.
If you care about local real estate, zoning, development, and housing policy in places like Salisbury, Groveland, Danvers, Newburyport, and Amesbury, this episode gives you a grounded, local perspective without the usual spin.
In this episode:Salisbury’s proposed 238 Lafayette Road projectStudio apartments and workforce housingGroveland housing developmentGarrison Village and affordabilityDanvers and Liberty Tree Mall area changesChapter 40B explained in plain EnglishAMI, Safe Harbor, and why these debates get so heated
 

Newburyport, Massachusetts didn’t always look like it does today.
In this episode of Unlisted, local real estate experts Rachel Person Candelora and Dolores Person share a candid, personal conversation about how Newburyport has changed over the last 40+ years — from a working-class coastal town with struggling storefronts to one of the North Shore’s most in-demand real estate markets.
We break down:
What downtown Newburyport was really like in the 70s, 80s, and 90s
When housing prices and demand started to rise
How the commuter rail, condo conversions, and the dot-com boom reshaped the city
Why historic homes survived in Newburyport when other towns demolished theirs
How COVID and remote work accelerated migration to the North Shore
The real impact of gentrification and housing affordability on longtime residents
Whether today’s Newburyport is “better,” “worse,” or simply more complicated
This episode is for anyone thinking about moving to Newburyport, buying real estate on the North Shore, or trying to understand how small coastal towns change over time. It’s also for locals who’ve watched their hometown evolve and want language for what they’re feeling.
🎧 Part of Unlisted — a hyperlocal podcast about real estate, development, zoning, housing policy, and how North Shore communities are changing.
📍 Recorded in Newburyport, MA🏡 Hosted by Rachel Person Candelora & Dolores Person
 

In this episode of Unlisted, we break down the development stories everyone is arguing about — and separate real constraints from convenient excuses.
We dig into luxury condo proposals in Newburyport and ask the uncomfortable question: does the market actually support $2–3 million condos when even single-family sales rarely hit that level? We unpack infill development like the proposed subdivision at 18 Highland Ave, and zoom out to larger regional fights — from the Kmart site redevelopment and lingering questions around legacy businesses, to controversial mall redevelopments like Fox Run in New Hampshire.
We also tackle the policy arguments dominating local meetings right now:Do heat pump mandates help today’s buyers — or make affordability worse?And how much density can communities absorb before infrastructure, traffic, and quality of life start to crack?
This episode isn’t pro-development or anti-development — it’s pro-reality. If you live, work, or buy property on the North Shore or Seacoast, this is the context behind the headli

In Episode 2 of Unlisted, we break down the most talked-about issues across Greater Newburyport and Essex County—from the Amesbury tax override to the escalating debate around the Shetland Park project in Salem. We also cover key local elections, major development proposals, lawsuits, and the political decisions that influence housing, affordability, and community growth.
This week’s stories include:– Amesbury Tax Override– “The Yes/No School” at 92 Main Street, Salisbury– Newburyport Mayoral Race– Riverbend Project, Bradford– The Amesbury Golden Triangle– “Dirty Deeds”– Essex Pastures / Bruni Project, Ipswich– Wenham MBTA Lawsuit– Essex OSRD Subdivision– Salem Shetland Park Project– Tax withholding requirements for out-of-state sellers
Hosted by Rachel & Dolores Person, a mother-daughter real estate team helping clients navigate the housing, political, and market forces that shape life in Greater Newburyport.

Episode 1 of Unlisted breaks down the biggest development projects reshaping Newburyport, Amesbury, Salisbury, West Newbury, and Merrimac. We cover major residential and commercial proposals, what they mean for housing, traffic, and local businesses, and how these changes could impact the region’s future. Hosted by Rachel and Dolores Person.