Halifax & Nova Scotia
Seller’s market, but just barely. Strategy is everything.
Nova Scotia’s market is still tilted in favour of sellers, but it’s inching toward balance. Inventory is up, sales are down, and homes are sitting longer. Buyers now have leverage, and sellers need to be sharp. We’re at the edge of a market shift, and the people who adjust early will win.
What’s happening in Halifax right now?
Halifax remains one of the strongest sub-markets in the province, but the pace is slower and the urgency has faded.
Sales: 508 (↓ 15.9% YoY)
Active Listings: 1,534, (↑ 25.9% YoY)
Average Days on Market: 33 (↑ from 24)
Months of Inventory: 3.0 – still seller’s territory, but inching toward balance
Benchmark Price: $514,300, down just 0.9% from last year
What it means:
The right homes are still moving, but they need to be priced correctly and marketed well. Buyers have more power, especially when a property has sat on the market, but great listings are still commanding strong prices.
Is Nova Scotia still a seller’s market?
Yes, but just barely. With 4.3 months of inventory, the province is hovering right at the threshold between a seller’s and balanced market (which typically begins at 4 months). That makes this a transitional period.
Sales: 972 (↓ 9.7% YoY)
New Listings: 1,573,(↑ 5.1%)
Active Listings: 4,148 (↑ 26.1% YoY)
Months of Inventory: 4.3
Average Days on Market: 43 (↑ from 37)
Benchmark Price: $379,900 (down 0.4% year over year, but up 0.7% month over month)
What it means:
The market still slightly favours sellers, but the gap is closing fast. Overpricing is being punished. Buyers have more choice, and negotiation is back on the table in most segments.
Where are the smartest opportunities right now?
Bridgewater / South Shore
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Growing inventory, but still below historic norms
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Properties sitting longer = more negotiation power
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Good for value-add plays, off-market conversations, and VTB potential
Annapolis Valley
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Affordable entry points under $400K
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Great for move-up buyers or investors priced out of HRM
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Strong long-term land play for those with vision
Halifax Peninsula
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Showings per listing have dropped to 4
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Sales-to-list price ratio holding around 98.8%
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Sellers can still do well, but the market isn’t bailing out mistakes
What’s cooling off?
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Buyer urgency — showings are way down
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Over-asking offers — now the exception, not the rule
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Sales pace — average days on market has risen across the board
These shifts don’t indicate a crash. They signal a market finding its balance and that creates opportunity for those willing to move thoughtfully.
What this means for you
| Buyer Type | Smart Play |
|---|---|
| Buyers | Target listings with 30+ DOM or price drops (↓ 5–10%) — there’s room to negotiate. |
| Sellers | You still have the upper hand, but only if you’re realistic (↑ < 3%). |
| Investors | Secondary markets offer the best mix of upside (↑ 8–12%) and flexibility right now. |
| Move-up Buyers | Sell strong, buy softer, this is your window. |
Three things to watch in September
- Will HRM inventory pass the 4-month mark and officially hit balance?
- Will price gains hold in tighter sub-markets like Bedford and Clayton Park?
- Will investors start to circle back with more confidence as the dust settles?
Let’s talk strategy
The numbers are important, but the interpretation is everything. If you’re trying to make sense of this market — whether it’s time to buy, sell, or invest, I’m happy to walk through the numbers with you and help you position yourself on the right side of the shift.