Understanding What’s Selling, Where It’s Selling, and Who’s Building It

If you’re a buyer considering a brand-new home in Halifax or an investor keeping tabs on development trends, the May 2025 new construction data gives us a sharp snapshot of where things are heading—and where some builders might need to rethink their approach.

In this blog, I’ll break down what’s selling, how fast it’s moving, which communities are seeing growth, and who the most active builders are in our region.

📊 Halifax New Construction Market Overview

Out of all residential transactions in Halifax during May 2025, 44 properties were newly constructed, representing 9.5% of total sales. These homes were located across 19 different communities, confirming that development is not only happening—it’s spreading beyond the urban core.

Here are some of the key metrics:

• Average sale price: $776,780 (a 19.3% premium over older homes)

• Median sale price: $699,900

• Average days on market: 61.2 days

• Compared to older homes: Older listings sold in just 21.8 days on average

📌 Takeaway: New homes are fetching a premium but sitting on the market nearly 40 days longer on average.

⏱️ Days on Market: Why New Homes Take Longer to Sell

Although nearly half of new construction listings (47.7%) took over 30 days to sell, there’s a nuance here: 11 new homes sold instantly—within zero days on market.

So what’s causing this contrast?

It comes down to two things:

1. Price Point vs. Product Fit – Buyers will pay a premium if the location and design are exactly what they want.

2. Community-Specific Demand – Certain neighbourhoods (like Halifax and Eastern Passage) show faster absorption compared to areas like Lantz or Middle Sackville.

🏘️ Top Communities for New Construction in Halifax

Here’s how five of the busiest communities stacked up:

📌 Eastern Passage and Halifax offer a strong combination of price point and quick turnaround, whereas Lantz and luxury builds in Middle Sackville are seeing longer market times.

💰 Price Breakdown: Where the Demand Lies

Analyzing the price tiers, it’s clear where the action is:

• Under $500K – 2 sales (4.5%)

• $500K–$700K – 21 sales (47.7%) ← sweet spot for turnover

• $700K–$1M – 15 sales (34.1%)

• Over $1M – 6 sales (13.6%)

🧠 Homes priced in the $550K–$700K range are attracting the most attention and moving the fastest.

🛠️ Top Builders in Halifax – May 2025 Performance Snapshot

Out of the 44 new construction homes sold, 23 were built by just 9 companies. Here’s how those builders performed:

🥇 Volume Leaders by Sales Dollars

1. Marchand Homes – $3.83M (22.1% share)

2. Ramar Construction – $2.37M (13.7%)

3. Shaughnessy Homes – $2.29M (13.2%)

⚡ Speed Stars (Avg. DOM under 10 days)

These builders show us that location, pricing, and targeted market segments make a big difference when it comes to how quickly a home will sell—even in the new construction category.

🏗️ Builder Market Segments

📌 Luxury builders are commanding high prices, but absorption times are significantly longer—especially in Bedford.

🔍 What This Means for Buyers, Sellers, and Builders

For Buyers:

• If you’re looking at turnkey new construction under $700K in Halifax or Eastern Passage, be ready to act fast.

• Properties that are priced right and well-located can be gone in a day.

For Sellers/Builders:

• Speed is location-driven. The Halifax core and Eastern Passage outperform outer areas in terms of days on market.

• Luxury homes need patience. High-end custom homes are still in demand, but they’re not moving nearly as quickly.

🔚 Final Thoughts

The new construction market in Halifax is layered. On the surface, homes are taking longer to sell than their older counterparts. But dig a little deeper and you’ll see some builds are flying off the market—zero days listed, full price or better, and in targeted communities.

If you’re a buyer thinking about new construction, or if you’re a builder looking to optimize your approach, let’s have a conversation. I’ve sold over 800 homes locally, and with boots on the ground experience across resale and new development, I can help you navigate the nuances of Halifax’s changing real estate landscape.

📞 Let’s Connect

If you're thinking of building, buying new construction, or investing in Halifax real estate, call me directly. I’ll help you break down your options and understand which builders, price points, and communities make the most sense based on real-time data—not guesses.