NH CIBOR president’s message March 2026 - by Brian Dano
NECPE:
In February we had multiple meetings regarding NECPE, and how best to serve our membership, in New Hampshire, Maine and Rhode Island. Key factors remain lack of leads and data accuracy/hygiene. We remain resolute that we will be able to rectify these issues to provide our members/the public with the service they rely on. The committee charged with evaluating options moving forward has met, or will be meeting, with all available providers (Moodys, Resimplifi, Lease Up, Prime MLS, Crexi etc).
My Predictions
As February drew to a close, the idea that uncertainty is the new certainty is proving true. When asked what’s happening in the market, my response is: how much time do you have?
Last month the Supreme Court struck down emergency tariffs (6-3), the President subsequently increased them in response, using a different justification. My guess is that this will cause a pause in some speculative industrial developments, and/or a short-term spike in demand for space by importers who deferred shipments as they accelerate shipments (think port-oriented Portsmouth NH, Boston MA, Portland ME). Tenants will remain uncertain and want to lease for shorter terms to remain flexible. On the multifamily side the National Association of Home Builders has urged the President to exempt building materials from tariffs as the nation — and especially New England — faces a housing affordability crisis. Other asset classes and the commercial real estate market will feel reverberations. It is on us to advise our clients how to navigate these turbulent waters.
Updates
In the January presidents report I mentioned an oversupply of high bay (+20-ft. clear) industrial in Hillsborough County. Merrimack, my hometown, now has a Budweiser plant closing (500,000 s/f). The controversial ICE facility (324,000 s/f) is no longer moving forward. Additionally, in the February report I saw investors turning to commodities such as gold and silver. Silver subsequently dropped sharply at the end of January (after I wrote about the fever). However, as of Feb. 24, 2026, both are still up over 20% YTD.
NHCIBOR Upcoming Events
March 26th - NEREJ Southern NH Life Science & Housing @ Courtyard Nashua
March 26th - Deals & Drinks W/ New England CCIM @ TBD Portsmouth
April 3rd - Wire Fraud Class (preventing it) @ KW Portsmouth
May 1st - Social Media Class @ TFMoran
May 14th - Deal & Drinks @ Finnigan Fence
June 5th - Ethics Class w/ CE Credit @ KW Portsmouth
June 15th - Golf Tournament @ Breakfast Hill Golf Course
June 25th - NHCIBOR BBQ @ TFMoran
August 6th - Fall Mixer @ Birchwood Vineyards
December 10th - Holiday Party @ Manchester Country Club
Marketing meetings are held monthly (State of NH second Wednesday; Seacoast third Friday; Mass. second Friday).
Brian Dano is the 2026 president of the N.H. Commercial Investment Board of Realtors, Bedford and is a managing director of SVN/The Masiello Group, Bedford, N.H.