I wrote this article 5 days into 2026 - taking time to reflect on where the last 5 years have taken us, and what might dictate the market as we move forward. One thing to be sure of, however, is that as we move into 2026, the frantic energy of the pandemic-era housing market has officially faded. We are entering a new phase of the Canadian housing market—one defined by balance, sustainability, and a return to "normal" (The Coast).

While national headlines might sound a bit shaky, Halifax continues to stand out as a beacon of stability in Atlantic Canada. Here is the breakdown of what 2026 has in store for our city.

📊 The Numbers: Growth is Steadier, Not Slower

Halifax remains more resilient than major hubs like Toronto or Vancouver. While the national average home price is expected to stay relatively flat at $823,000 (Royal LePage), Halifax is still on an upward—albeit more realistic—trajectory.

• Projected Growth: We are looking at a 3% price increase for Halifax throughout 2026 (RE/MAX Canada).

• The Average Price Tag: The average residential sale price in the city is now hovering just above $600,000 (RE/MAX Canada).

• Detached vs. Condo: Detached homes continue to show the most resilience, while the condo market is seeing a slight softening in price, mirroring a 2.5% decline seen in the national condo sector (Royal LePage / WOWA).

National vs. Local Comparison

🏠 Rents and the "Affordability Gap"

The rental market in Halifax remains a double-edged sword. While record construction has helped increase the vacancy rate slightly, the cost of living remains high.

A one-bedroom apartment in Halifax is averaging roughly $1,770 per month (CityNews Halifax). For many, this "rent trap" is actually driving the transition to homeownership. As rents climb and mortgage rates stabilize, the gap between a monthly rent check and a mortgage payment is narrower than it has been in years (Canadian Mortgage Trends / The Coast).

⚠️ Key Risks & Opportunities to Watch

Even in a stable market, there are variables every buyer and seller should keep on their radar this year:

1. The Renewal Wave: Many homeowners who locked in low rates in 2021 are facing renewals this year. This "rate shock" could lead to an increase in listings as some owners choose to downsize (RBC Economics).

2. Increased Inventory: Unlike the "bidding war" years, listings have increased modestly, giving buyers more selection and breathing room (RE/MAX Canada).

3. Negotiation Power:  "Subject to inspection" and "subject to financing" clauses have become standard again in Halifax (WOWA), albeit they were absent for only a little while during the pandemic.

💡 Advice for 2026

For Sellers:

The "list it and it will sell" era is over. With a more balanced market, presentation matters. Well-staged homes that are priced accurately based on current 3% growth trends are the ones commanding the best offers (RE/MAX Canada).

For Buyers:

Don’t be afraid to be picky. With more options hitting the market (RE/MAX Canada), you have the luxury of time (within reason). Get your pre-approval in place and look for value in the condo sector, where competition is currently lower (Royal LePage). Another strategy you might try is searching for homes that have been on the market for 90+ days already, as they may be motivated to do a deal or negotiate a price that works for you.

The Bottom Line

2026 isn't about dramatic swings; it’s about a healthy, stabilizing market (Royal LePage). For Halifax, that means your home remains a solid investment, but the "frenzy" is replaced by a much more manageable pace for everyone involved.

Ready to Navigate the 2026 "Great Reset"?

Whether you're looking to capitalize on the stabilizing condo market or wondering how much equity you’ve built in your home during the boom years, you don't have to guess.

• 🏠 What’s My Home Worth? – Get a real-time valuation based on 2026 local Halifax data.

• 🔍 Browse Halifax Listings – See the latest detached homes and condos hitting the market this week.

• ☕ Let’s Chat Over Coffee – Have questions about interest rates or renewals? Let’s build your strategy for the year ahead.

Looking forward to helping you in 2026!

Date range analyzed: December 1–30, 2025
Market snapshot (Dec 2025):

• Active listings: 924

• New listings: 150

• Homes sold: 295

Every winter, I hear the same thing:

“We’ll wait until spring. Nobody buys in December.”

But when you look at the data — not the assumptions — a very different story shows up.

December isn’t a dead month. It’s a filtered month. And for the right seller, that can actually work in your favour.

Let’s walk through what the numbers tell us, how this December compares to past years, and how to approach selling during the winter months without putting yourself at risk.

Is December Really a Bad Time to Sell?

Short answer: No.
Long answer: It depends on how you sell.

Sales activity has occurred every December for years — even before the pandemic, during rate hikes, and through market corrections. What changes isn’t whether homes sell — it’s which homes sell.

To understand that, we need context.

📈 December Home Sales Over Time

December Home Sales in Nova Scotia (2020–2025)

December sales have remained consistent year-over-year, even as market conditions shifted dramatically.

This graph shows one important truth:
buyers never completely leave the market in December.

Yes, 2021 was an extreme outlier. But even after interest rates rose and activity cooled in 2022–2024, homes continued to sell every winter.

December 2025 followed that same pattern — fewer listings, fewer sales overall, but meaningful movement.

The Stat That Actually Matters: Absorption Rate

Raw sales numbers don’t tell the full story. What really matters is absorption rate — how much of the available inventory actually sells.

📊 December Absorption Rate by Year

December Absorption Rate: How Much of the Market Actually Sells

December 2025 absorption rebounded above the last two years, indicating stronger buyer commitment.

In December 2025:

• 295 homes sold

• 924 active listings

• Absorption rate: ~32%

For comparison:

• December 2023 hovered under 20%

• December 2024 sat just over 20%

• Pandemic years were artificially inflated

A ~32% absorption rate in December is healthy. It tells us buyers weren’t browsing — they were acting.

Why December Buyers Are Different

Winter buyers usually fall into three categories:

1. Relocations or job changes

2. Life-driven moves (separation, family needs, downsizing)

3. Prepared buyers who are done waiting

These buyers are:

• decisive

• pre-approved

• less emotional

• less likely to “just look”

Which means they don’t waste time.

Supply vs Demand: The Quiet Advantage for Sellers

Now here’s the most overlooked winter stat.

🔁 Sold vs New Listings in December

December Buyer Demand vs New Supply

In December 2025, sales significantly outpaced new listings — creating quiet pressure on available homes.

In December 2025:

• 295 homes sold

• 150 new listings

That means demand nearly doubled the new supply.

This is why well-priced, well-presented homes can still sell quickly in winter — they’re competing against fewer alternatives.

How to Win as a Winter Seller

Selling in December isn’t about testing the market. It’s about precision.

1️⃣ Price correctly from day one

Winter buyers don’t want “try it and see.”
They want value that makes sense today.

2️⃣ Presentation matters more than ever

Clean, bright, staged, and move-in ready beats “potential” every time in winter.

3️⃣ Marketing has to work harder

Fewer listings mean more eyes — if your home earns attention with:

• strong photos

• clear descriptions

• flexible showings

🎄 If Your Home Doesn’t Sell, You Have Smart Options

This is where good advice matters most.

Option A: Pause over the holidays

If showings slow around Christmas, pulling the listing can:

• protect days on market

• avoid buyer fatigue

Option B: Relist with intention in January

Fresh photos, refreshed copy, renewed exposure.

Option C: Make a strategic price correction

January brings new buyers.
A thoughtful adjustment can outperform weeks of inactivity.

Option D: Pull and plan for spring

If your home benefits from:

• landscaping

• daylight

• exterior appeal

Then spring may be the better stage — but use winter to prepare, not wait.

🧭 The Bottom Line

December isn’t the wrong time to sell.
It’s the wrong time to guess.

The data shows:

• Homes sell every winter

• Buyers are serious

• Competition is lower

• Strategy matters more

If you’re thinking about selling this winter — or deciding whether to pause and relaunch — the smartest move is having a plan before the market gives feedback.

🔧 Want a Winter Selling Strategy Built for Your Home?

I’ll walk you through:

• pricing scenarios

• winter vs spring outcomes

• and a clear Plan B if the market doesn’t respond

📞 Call or text (902) 903-6605
Or reach out and I’ll put together a custom winter strategy for your property.

Posted on Dec 31st, 2026 by Don McCooeye

🏘️ Elmsdale vs. Enfield vs. Lantz: December Market Snapshot

Date range analyzed: December 1 – December 30, 2025
Region: East Hants (Area 105)

As we closed out 2025, the East Hants real estate market didn’t grind to a halt — it exhaled.

December is traditionally a slower month, and the numbers reflect that. But slower does not mean weak. What we’re seeing is a more measured, rational market where pricing, presentation, and positioning matter more than ever. The chaos of 2021–2023 is officially behind us. No bidding wars by default. No “throw it on the market and see what happens.”

This is what a balanced market looks like — and frankly, it’s healthier for both buyers and sellers.

Whether you’re planning a spring sale or quietly watching listings over the holidays, here’s how Elmsdale, Enfield, and Lantz stacked up heading into the new year.

📊 East Hants Market Percentages Breakdown (Dec 1 – Dec 30)

🏠 Total Listings on Market: 38
✅ Homes Sold: 13
🆕 New Listings: 5

🔢 Percentage Calculations

✅ Sales-to-Listing Ratio (Absorption Rate)

13 sold / 38 total listings = 0.342 → ~34.2%

➡️ Interpretation:
About one-third of all available homes sold in December. For a holiday month, that’s solid. This indicates a balanced market leaning slightly toward sellers for well-priced, well-presented homes.

🆕 New Listings as % of Market Inventory

5 new / 38 total = 0.1316 → ~13.2%

➡️ Interpretation:
New listing activity slowed significantly — typical for December. Sellers largely chose to wait for the spring market, which helped prevent inventory from ballooning.

📉 Listings That Did Not Sell

38 total – 13 sold = 25 unsold
25 / 38 = ~65.8%

➡️ Interpretation:
Roughly two-thirds of listings carried over into January. Buyers are selective. Homes that missed the mark on price, condition, or marketing simply didn’t move — even in good locations.

IN-DEPTH ANALYSIS: ENFIELD • ELMSDALE • LANTZ

📍 Enfield: Still the Engine

🏠 Active Listings: 9
🆕 New Listings: 2
✅ Sold: 7

Enfield once again led the corridor in sales volume. Despite fewer new listings, buyer demand stayed strong — especially for detached homes in established neighbourhoods. This remains the most liquid market in East Hants.

💡 Seller takeaway:
If you’re planning to sell in Enfield in spring, preparation now matters. Pricing correctly out of the gate will be critical as more inventory returns.

📍 Lantz: Inventory-Heavy, Still Moving

🏠 Active Listings: 13
🆕 New Listings: 0
✅ Sold: 3

Lantz carried the highest active inventory into year-end. While sales did happen, buyers were cautious and selective. Homes that were newer, clean, and realistically priced performed best.

📉 Buyer opportunity:
With inventory sitting, there is room for negotiation — particularly on homes that missed the fall market.

📍 Elmsdale: Quiet, But Not Dead

🏠 Active Listings: 9
🆕 New Listings: 1
✅ Sold: 1

Elmsdale slowed the most in December. That said, this is not a red flag — it’s seasonal. Buyers here remain value-driven and price-sensitive, and many have simply paused until January.

🛠️ Seller tip:
Homes that are dated or priced aspirationally will struggle. Clean, staged, and move-in ready still wins.

📊 How Do They Compare?

🧭 The Bottom Line

• Enfield continues to be the most resilient and active market in East Hants.

• Lantz offers opportunity, especially for buyers willing to negotiate.

• Elmsdale is poised for a spring rebound — but pricing will matter more than ever.

The market hasn’t slowed — it has normalized. And that’s a good thing.

If you’re thinking about selling in spring 2026, the work starts now. And if you’re buying, this is a smart window to plan, watch, and prepare.

🔧 Ready to Make a Move?

✅ Thinking of Selling?

We’ll help you price it right, prep it properly, and launch with intention — not hope.
📩 Start with the Seller Intake Form

✅ Looking to Buy in East Hants?

We’ll help you zero in by neighbourhood and strategy.
🔎 Browse East Hants Homes Here

📞 Prefer to chat? Book a call or reach us directly at (902) 903-6605

Prepared by The McCooeye Group — Royal LePage Atlantic

As we move deeper into the fall season, Halifax continues to show signs of a market shifting toward balance. From October 1st to November 1st, the single-family home segment delivered a compelling blend of higher inventory, stable pricing, and a noticeably longer time on market — all indicators of a market that has moved past the frenzy of previous years and settled into a more sustainable rhythm.

Whether you’re buying, selling, or watching from the sidelines, these trends have real implications. Here’s your full breakdown of what happened this past month in Halifax–Dartmouth.

📈 Inventory Climbs to Its Highest Level in Years

The most striking feature of this month’s data is the inventory. Halifax recorded:

• 916 active listings

• 237 new listings between Oct 1 and Nov 1

That’s a significant amount of choice for buyers — and a meaningful shift from the ultra-tight markets experienced between 2020 and 2022. More listings mean less urgency, more negotiating power, and a more even playing field between buyers and sellers.

Sellers, however, are feeling this shift. With more competition, pricing and presentation matter more than ever. Homes that hit the market aligned with the right price range are still getting attention, but the days of buyers lining up at the door are behind us for now.

🏡 Sales Remain Solid Despite Increased Choice

Even with higher inventory, buyer demand remains steady. Between October 1st and November 1st, Halifax saw:

• 403 sold single-family homes

• $256 M total sales volume

• Average sale price: $653,321

• Median sale price: $575,000

These numbers signal market stability. Prices aren’t rising sharply, but they’re not falling either. Instead, Halifax continues to show resilience, supported by migration, employment, lifestyle appeal, and relative affordability compared to many Canadian cities.

If you’re watching home values, you can also check what your Halifax home is worth Home Evaluation.

⏳ Days on Market Rises to 37 — A Key Market Shift

Perhaps the most important trend this month:

Homes are now taking an average of 37 days to sell.

That’s a meaningful increase and a departure from the fast-moving conditions of the past few years. For context:

• DOM Low: 3 days

• DOM High: 357 days

• Average: 37 days

A DOM in the mid-30s doesn’t indicate a slow market — it indicates a thoughtful, buyer-balanced market, where purchasers have the time to:

• Compare multiple properties

• Revisit homes

• Include conditions

• Negotiate confidently

Buyers now have more time. They’re not racing the market as they once were.

💵 Prices Hold Firm Despite Higher Supply

Even with more competition among sellers, pricing remains impressively stable:

SOLD PRICES

• Average: $653,321

• Median: $575,000

• High: $3,600,000

• Low: $70,000

ACTIVE LIST PRICES

• Average: $831,261

• Median: $699,900

• High: $6,495,000

• Low: $67,500

The gap between list and sold prices reflects the wide range of available inventory — from entry-level homes to high-end waterfront and executive properties.

But importantly, there is no downward pressure on prices. Despite more listings, buyers remain active, and demand remains consistent enough to support current value levels.

🔎 What This Means for Sellers

For homeowners thinking of selling, the current market is still productive — but strategy matters more than ever.

Key insights for sellers:

• Homes are selling — but not instantly. Expect an average of 30–45 days to secure a buyer.

• Well-priced homes move; overpriced homes stall.

• Your home must compete. With 916 active listings, presentation is critical.

• Condition and marketing matter. Homes with professional staging, great photography, and strong digital marketing outperform competing listings.

If you’re preparing to list, our Halifax Home Seller’s Guide is a great place to start.

🔎 What This Means for Buyers

This is the most favourable buyer environment Halifax has seen in several years.

Key insights for buyers:

• More choice = less pressure

• More negotiation power

• More room for conditions (financing, inspection)

• More time to evaluate each home

• Prices are stable, making budgeting predictable

If you’re new to the market or reassessing your buying strategy, our Halifax Buyer’s Guide can walk you through the process.

🔮 Looking Ahead: What to Expect This Winter

As we move toward winter, Halifax traditionally sees listing activity taper off. However, because inventory is already elevated, we expect:

• Total active listings may remain higher than usual

• DOM may rise slightly to the low-40s

• Prices should remain generally stable

• Buyer activity will soften gradually but remain healthy

Barring significant changes in interest rates or economic shifts, Halifax is positioned for a winter market characterized by balanced conditions, steady prices, and measured buyer activity.

📞 Thinking About Buying or Selling? Let’s Talk.

Whether you're preparing to make a move or simply tracking your home’s value, understanding your neighbourhood’s micro-market is crucial.

The McCooeye Group is here to provide:

• Tailored home value assessments

• Price range forecasting

• Custom buying strategies

• Neighbourhood-level reports

• Local market expertise backed by data

If you’d like your personalized market analysis, just head to our Contact Us page — we’re happy to help every step of the way.