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

Newburyport’s Proposed Housing Fix (And Why It Won’t Work) | Unlisted Episode 7

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
 

Unlisted Ep. 6: Salem, Amesbury & Rowley Development Updates + Real Estate Tax Changes

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.
 

Unlisted Ep. 5: Salisbury, Groveland, Danvers + the Real 40B Housing Debate

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
 

Unlisted Ep. 4 | How Newburyport Changed: Local Perspective on Housing, Gentrification & Community

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
 

Unlisted Ep 3: Housing, Heat Pumps, and Hard Truths — What’s Really Driving Development on the North Shore & Seacoast

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

Episode 2: Local Battles, Big Decisions — Tax Overrides, Elections & Major Essex County Projects

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: The Biggest Development Projects Reshaping Newburyport & the North Shore

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.