Do you love old homes? Maybe you own one, or perhaps you live in a newer house but can’t help admiring the history, craftsmanship, and charm that come with an older property. If you answered “yes,” then you’ll want to follow along — because this is the beginning of my journey with a historic home right here in Hooksett Village.
My name is Tony LaCasse, and back in March of this year, I purchased my first home. From day one, I knew what I wanted: a historic property located in Hooksett Village. My search came with strict requirements. The home had to be in the village — preferably on Merrimack Street or in the Dundee Avenue/Highland Street area — and it had to retain its historic integrity and original features. To make things more challenging, I had just three months to make it happen during the winter season, when real-estate inventory is lowest. Homes in Hooksett Village rarely hit the market. They’re typically handed down through families, generation after generation, preserving the same names, faces, and stories that give the village its close-knit character.
Finding My Place in The Village
For two years before becoming a homeowner, I rented an apartment on Merrimack Street, just before it meets Granite Street. I could walk to church, to Robie’s Store, Lambert Park, the library, and Town Hall. On summer days, I’d kayak across the street on the Merrimack River. In winter, I enjoyed something that meant even more to me — seeing the lights on the bridge and the town tree shining above the village in bright red, green, and yellow. It was a moment of pride each evening, knowing I helped make that happen through the “Light Up The Village” event I initiated and organized. Every night, as I looked out from my living room window, I felt immense gratitude for the place I called home. I loved the people, the scenery, and the sense of belonging.
That experience set the stage for what came next: my search for the perfect historic home — one that would allow me to plant my roots in the same community that had already given me so much.
The Search Begins
As a local real estate agent specializing in Hooksett and surrounding areas, I was uniquely equipped to make this dream a reality. I take great pride in my work — and I now get to say that I’m both a proud homeowner and, even better, a proud old house owner. While searching listings one day, I saw a familiar property pop up — 30 Dundee Avenue. I’d seen it come on the market the year before, when I was still renting. The listing agent had even mailed me a postcard advertising an open house. I remember telling myself at the time, “If I were ready to buy, I’d buy that one.” Then life went on.
Fast forward a year later, as I was getting pre-qualified for a mortgage, I saw that same house listed again. I couldn’t believe it. It’s rare for anyone to stay in a Hooksett Village property for less than a year, so it immediately caught my attention. But there was one problem — the price was too high. I knew the local market inside and out, and the listing didn’t reflect the true value. I told myself, no one will pay that price — even in this market.
Sure enough, after about a month, the property went under contract — but I knew it wouldn’t last. My instincts were right. Within a week, it was back on the market, still overpriced but now within striking distance. That’s when I made my move.
Where Fate Meets Reality
I went to the open house, scoped out the property, and talked with the neighbors. In the process, I realized something almost unbelievable: I knew one of the previous tenants. A few years earlier, I’d met her while hosting an open house in Auburn for one of my landlord clients. We had talked for quite a while about how her landlord was selling the property and that she needed to move. She’d mentioned the house she was living in at the time because she mentioned to me she was living in Hooksett — the very same one I was now standing in — and told me about the condition issues she faced, even down to rat problems. That conversation, which I’d had a year and a half earlier, gave me insight that would later prove invaluable. It confirmed that I knew exactly what I was getting into. I truly believe that some things are meant to be — and this home at 30 Dundee Avenue was meant to be mine.
Closing The Deal
I spent several days negotiating with the listing agent, and ultimately, I secured the home below the asking price with all closing costs paid. I made the decision to waive inspections, which might sound risky, but I was completely confident. As an agent, I look at houses every day. I’d already spent hours inspecting the property at two open houses and had background information from the previous tenant and even from some neighbors who had owned the home decades prior. I knew more about that house than the seller or even the listing agent — and that gave me confidence to move forward.
The First Discoveries
After closing, the very first thing I did was peel back the cheap gray vinyl flooring that ran throughout the first floor. My hunch was right — underneath, I found the original wide pine floors, beautifully preserved after more than a century. Next, I took on the ceiling. The house had been modernized over time with drop ceiling tiles, and I suspected that something authentic was hiding above them. I started demoing, and what I uncovered stopped me in my tracks: stunning Douglas fir post-and-beam construction, likely original to the home’s 1880s mill worker design. At that moment, I felt as though I was peeling back years of neglect and letting this house breathe again.
The Choice of Stewardship
I knew right then that my mission wasn’t just to renovate — it was to restore. I decided to fully restore this beautiful old home and make it a model for historic preservation in Hooksett Village. I believe all it takes is for one person to start — and others will follow. My long-term goal is to help establish a Historic or Heritage District in the village. This district would offer tax incentives, guidelines, and resources to help homeowners take advantage of local, state, and federal programs that encourage restoration and preservation. By improving the physical environment, we improve our quality of life — and strengthen the sense of pride and community that Hooksett Village has always had.
A Neighborly Mission
Within a few weeks of moving in, one of my neighbors told me I was the best neighbor they’d ever had. That simple compliment spoke volumes. It told me that for too long, some residents hadn’t taken pride in their homes, and that my project was inspiring new energy in the neighborhood. Through my restoration efforts at 30 Dundee Avenue, I hope to help swing the momentum in the other direction — toward care, restoration, and pride. This project is about more than my home. It’s about uplifting the entire community.
Looking Ahead
Restoring this home will take years, but I believe in starting where I can make the most impact — right at home. Property values in this section of town are among the lowest in Hooksett, but with time, effort, and vision, I believe that can change. I’m working toward a future where Hooksett Village becomes a lively, friendly, and inviting historic area where homes are restored, values rise, and the sense of community thrives stronger than ever. I know it won’t happen overnight, but as I often remind myself — you have to start somewhere. And for me, that start is right here at 30 Dundee Avenue.
Join Me On The Journey
I’ll be sharing monthly updates on my restoration progress so that you can follow along, learn, and maybe even become inspired to start your own historic project. If you’d like to learn more about historic preservation tax incentives or how to restore your own home in Hooksett Village, I’d be happy to talk with you. And of course, if you have a real estate need — whether buying, selling, leasing, or investing — I’m always here to help. This journey has just begun, and I’m honored to share it with all of you.
