NOVA SCOTIA SINGLE-FAMILY HOME MARKET REPORT

Executive Summary

March 2025 demonstrates sustained market momentum with 313 closed transactions, representing 16% growth over February and 64% increase from January baseline. The Nova Scotia single-family home market has now achieved three consecutive months of strengthening transaction velocity, confirming Q1 2025 as a period of decisive market stabilization following 2024 repricing.

Marketing efficiency reached optimal performance with average days on market declining to 35 days, a 33% reduction from January's 52-day baseline. Properties requiring price reductions increased modestly to 154 homes (49% of transactions) from February's 139, while the proportion selling below asking improved to 49% from February's 52%, indicating sustained pricing discipline across the market.

New listing activity surged 39% to 492 homes, the highest monthly volume in Q1 2025, yet absorption remained robust with 313 sales representing a 64% sell-through rate. The $500K-$699K segment continued market dominance with 151 transactions (48% of total volume), establishing this price corridor as the core liquidity zone for Halifax and broader Nova Scotia real estate investment strategies.

For executives and institutional investors, March 2025 concludes a transformative first quarter demonstrating market clearing, price discovery stabilization, and renewed buyer confidence across strategic price segments.

Q1 2025 Strategic Market Assessment

Investment Implications & Q2 2025 Outlook

Q1 2025 establishes decisive confirmation of Nova Scotia single-family home market stabilization following 2024 repricing cycle. The 773 closed transactions across January-March demonstrate sustained buyer re-engagement, with transaction velocity accelerating 64% from Q1 baseline to conclusion.

The concentration of 389 sales (50% of Q1 volume) within the $500K-$699K price corridor identifies this segment as the optimal deployment zone for institutional capital and high-net-worth individual investment strategies. This price range demonstrates consistent liquidity, predictable absorption, and sufficient transaction depth to support portfolio-scale acquisitions and strategic exit planning.

Marketing efficiency improvements from 52 to 35 days on market, combined with pricing stabilization around $634K-$648K average selling price, provides institutional investors with enhanced underwriting certainty. Properties demonstrating superior location fundamentals, condition, and strategic pricing are achieving competitive outcomes with minimal market exposure, while misaligned inventory faces extended marketing periods and systematic repricing.

The 44% increase in showing activity from January (6,486) to March (9,049) signals robust buyer pipeline development entering Q2 2025. Spring market dynamics anticipated to sustain transaction momentum pending economic stability, employment fundamentals, and interest rate environment maintenance.

For executives evaluating Halifax and broader Nova Scotia real estate deployment, Q1 2025 performance validates market clearing completion and establishes constructive framework for strategic acquisition activity. Investment criteria should prioritize core $500K-$699K segment, emphasis on proven locations, realistic pricing discipline, and properties demonstrating immediate habitability or value-enhancement potential.

Q2 2025 outlook remains constructive with anticipated seasonal acceleration, sustained buyer confidence, and continued pricing stability supporting transaction velocity maintenance. Market participants demonstrating pricing discipline and realistic valuation frameworks will capitalize on optimal liquidity conditions established through Q1 market clearing process.