Halifax's single-family home market concluded 2025 with a pronounced inventory shortage that fundamentally reshaped market dynamics through the fourth quarter. While new listing activity declined 72% from October to early December, buyer demand remained robust, creating competitive conditions that favored well-positioned properties. The market demonstrated clear seasonality with extended days on market from 76 to 92 days, yet maintained strong transaction velocity with 970 sales recorded across the three-month period.

Market Overview: October through December 15 2025

Total Sales (Q4) 970 Strong quarterly performance

Median Sale Price (Nov) $588,317 Year-end benchmark

Showing Activity 16,619 Total Q4 showings

Days on Market+21%

Oct to Dec progression

*December data represents first two weeks only

Critical Supply Dynamics

The most significant development through Q4 was the dramatic contraction in available inventory. Opening inventory declined from 1,049 units in early October to 852 units by December, representing a 19% reduction in available stock. New listing activity followed a similar trajectory, contracting from 420 units in October to just 119 units in the first half of December.

Market Intelligence: The supply constraint created an environment where properties meeting buyer criteria commanded immediate attention. October's 7,765 showings across 420 new listings translates to an average of 18.5 showings per listing, indicating robust buyer engagement despite limited selection.

This supply-demand imbalance manifested in strong absorption rates. October's sales-to-new-listings ratio of 107% (451 sales versus 420 new listings) demonstrates a market drawing down existing inventory. November maintained strength with 358 sales against 254 new listings, while early December's pace suggested continued momentum through year-end.

Transaction Velocity and Deal Structure

The fourth quarter recorded 1,847 deals written across all three months, with conditional agreements accounting for 667 transactions—36% of all deal activity. This elevated conditional sale rate reflects the competitive dynamics at play, with buyers securing properties through conditional offers while managing financing and inspection contingencies.

Deals Written (Oct) 817 Peak monthly activity

Deals Written (Nov) 733 Sustained momentum

Termination Rate 11.4% Q4 average

Deal terminations totaled 210 across the quarter, representing an 11.4% termination rate relative to total deal activity. October experienced the highest absolute terminations with 98 deals failing to close, though this should be contextualized against the month's elevated transaction volume. November's termination rate of 10.9% and December's early rate of 10.8% suggest relative stability in deal completion through year-end.

Pricing Dynamics and Market Positioning

November's median sale price of $588,317 establishes the year-end pricing benchmark for Halifax single-family homes. The month's high-water transaction at $2,100,000 demonstrates continued activity in the luxury segment, while the distribution of sales suggests broad market participation across price points.

Strategic Consideration: December's median of $539,700 reflects only two weeks of data and should not be interpreted as a significant pricing shift. Year-end transactions typically represent a mix of properties with extended market time and buyers seeking to close before the new year, creating temporary pricing anomalies that resolve in January.

Price adjustment activity remained noteworthy, with 454 price changes recorded in October and 250 in the final week of November alone. This level of repricing activity suggests sellers and their representatives remained responsive to market feedback, adjusting positioning to capture buyer attention in an environment where well-priced inventory moved quickly.

Showing Activity and Buyer Engagement

Aggregate showing activity of 16,619 viewings across the three-month period demonstrates sustained buyer engagement despite declining inventory. October's 7,765 showings represented peak activity, averaging 1,553 showings per week. November maintained momentum with 6,443 showings, while December's pace of approximately 1,200 showings per week reflects typical seasonal moderation combined with reduced inventory availability.

The progression in average days on market from 76 days in October to 92 days in December merits careful interpretation. This 21% increase reflects normal seasonal dynamics rather than weakening demand. Properties entering the market in late November and December naturally experience extended marketing periods as buyer activity moderates through the holidays. The metric will normalize through January as spring market preparation commences.

Market Outlook and Strategic Implications

The fourth quarter's inventory constraints established conditions that will influence early 2026 market dynamics. With opening inventory at multi-year lows and new listing activity suppressed through December, the market enters the new year with significant pent-up demand. Properties positioned for the spring market will benefit from limited competition and elevated buyer attention.

Professional Perspective: For sellers considering 2026 transactions, early-year positioning offers distinct advantages. The combination of low inventory, established buyer demand, and improving days on market metrics from seasonal lows creates favorable conditions for well-prepared listings. Properties requiring preparation work should commence immediately to capture February-March market momentum.

The showing activity data—particularly October's 18.5 showings per new listing—confirms that quality inventory commands immediate attention. Buyers remain active and financially qualified, as evidenced by the 36% conditional sale rate and robust deal completion metrics. The market favors properties that are appropriately priced, well-presented, and strategically positioned to meet current buyer criteria.

Conclusion

Halifax's single-family home market concluded 2025 from a position of fundamental strength tempered by acute supply constraints. The 970 sales recorded through the fourth quarter, combined with 16,619 showings and nearly 1,850 deals written, demonstrate a market characterized by active buyers seeking limited inventory. As 2026 commences, the interplay between sustained demand and constrained supply will continue to define market dynamics, creating opportunities for sellers who position properties effectively and challenges for buyers seeking to enter the market.

For stakeholders navigating these conditions, data-driven decision-making remains essential. The metrics presented here provide the foundation for informed strategy, whether selling into strength or identifying acquisition opportunities in a competitive environment.

Authored by Sandra Pike, REALTOR®

The Pike Group, Royal LePage Atlantic

One of Halifax's Top Resale Listing Agents Since 2016 | Data-Driven Market Insights and Real Estate Commentary NSAR STATS Dec 2025