The tax trade
No income tax and no sales tax means property tax carries the load, and New Hampshire effective rates reflect that. For a landowner this makes Current Use enrollment materially valuable, and it makes the actual tax bill on any parcel a number worth obtaining rather than estimating.
Ask the town for the current tax bill and the assessment. On unenrolled land the difference between assessed and market value matters, and reassessment cycles can shift bills significantly.
Current Use and the ten percent change tax
Qualifying tracts of ten acres or more can be assessed at use value, a substantial reduction. The land use change tax on withdrawal is ten percent of full market value of the changed land, assessed at the time of change.
That number scales with market value rather than with the tax savings received, which makes it different in character from rollback provisions in other states and often larger. Calculate it before buying enrolled land with development intent.
Shoreland protection
Within 250 feet of protected waters, the Shoreland Act imposes a waterfront buffer with vegetation requirements, impervious surface limits, and permitting for certain activities. On lakefront parcels this governs where and how you can build, and it applies statewide.
Terrain, access and wetlands
Northern New Hampshire is steep and heavily wooded, with the usual consequences for buildable area and driveway cost. Wetlands are regulated by the state and require permits for impact. Class VI roads are unmaintained, and building on a parcel accessed only by one raises real questions about services and insurability.
Verify road class with the town and legal access in the recorded records.
What to verify
Actual tax bill and Current Use status. Change tax exposure if development is intended. Shoreland Act applicability on waterfront. Road class and maintenance. Septic feasibility. The risk scorecard screens the fundamentals.