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

When most Nova Scotia homeowners think about selling their property, they imagine warm spring days with blooming gardens and bright sunshine streaming through windows. The conventional wisdom suggests waiting until April or May when the market "wakes up" and buyers flood open houses. But what if I told you that listing during the winter months—yes, even during the holiday season—might actually be one of the smartest strategic decisions you could make?

Let's dive into the real data and explore why winter listings deserve a second look.

The Reality of Winter Real Estate in Nova Scotia

I won't sugarcoat it: winter is historically the slowest season for real estate activity in Nova Scotia. The numbers tell a clear story. During the peak summer months, the market sees between 1,100 and 1,400 home sales. Compare that to winter months, which typically range from approximately 550 to 750 units sold. That's nearly half the activity.

Additionally, homes tend to spend more time on the market during winter. Recent data shows the median days on market reached 48 days in the first quarter of 2025, compared to lower figures during the busier summer months. These statistics are what drive most sellers to wait for spring.

But here's where it gets interesting: lower activity doesn't necessarily mean worse outcomes for sellers who understand how to leverage winter's unique advantages.

The Challenges: What You're Up Against

Before we explore the opportunities, let's acknowledge the legitimate challenges of winter listings. Understanding these obstacles helps you prepare and potentially turn them into advantages.

Weather and Curb Appeal: This is the most obvious hurdle. Snow-covered lawns, bare trees, and grey Maritime skies don't exactly scream "dream home." Your property's exterior charm—one of the most powerful selling tools—is significantly diminished. Icicles hanging from gutters and snow banks lining the driveway don't photograph as beautifully as summer gardens and manicured lawns.

Fewer Active Buyers: With substantially lower sales volumes, you're working with a smaller pool of potential buyers. Many people simply postpone their home search until spring, choosing to enjoy the holidays rather than trudge through showings in winter boots.

Logistical Complications: Winter weather creates practical challenges. Showings become more complicated when driveways need constant clearing. Moving during a snowstorm is nobody's idea of fun. Even the simple act of maintaining your home in "showing ready" condition becomes more demanding when you're constantly tracking in snow and salt.

Holiday Distractions: During November and December specifically, potential buyers are focused on family gatherings, holiday shopping, and year-end work deadlines. Real estate often takes a backseat to seasonal priorities.

These are real concerns, and any agent who dismisses them isn't being honest with you.

The Hidden Advantages: Why Winter Could Be Your Secret Weapon

Now for the counterintuitive truth: these very challenges create opportunities for savvy sellers.

Dramatically Reduced Competition: When sales volumes drop by nearly 50%, so does your competition. In a typical spring market, dozens of comparable homes might be competing for the same buyers. In winter, you might be one of only a handful of options in your neighborhood or price range. Your listing doesn't get lost in the noise—it stands out.

Think about it from a buyer's perspective: they open their real estate app and see 15 homes in summer versus 5 homes in winter. Which listings get more attention and closer scrutiny?

Serious Buyers Only: Here's a crucial insight that many sellers miss: winter buyers are typically the most motivated buyers. Nobody casually browses open houses in January snowstorms. People looking at homes during the holidays are doing so because they need to—job relocations, life changes, growing families, divorces, or other circumstances that can't wait for spring.

These buyers often have deadlines, which can work in your favor during negotiations. They're not dreamers or tire-kickers; they're ready to make decisions and move forward.

Better Negotiating Position (Sometimes): While winter presents reduced competition among buyers, it also surfaces more motivated sellers. However, if you're not under time pressure and your home shows well, you can actually be the exception—the well-presented, fairly-priced option that captures serious buyers without appearing desperate.

Early Access to Spring Buyers: Many serious buyers begin their search in January and February even if they're not ready to move until spring. By listing in winter, you capture these early researchers who are getting a head start on the market. When spring arrives and competition floods back in, you may have already found your buyer.

Making Winter Work: Strategic Considerations

Success with a winter listing requires honest assessment and smart preparation.

Your home needs to show exceptionally well despite the weather. This means maintaining a clear driveway and walkways, ensuring excellent heating (buyers notice cold houses immediately), creating warm and inviting interior staging, and maximizing lighting to combat grey winter days.

Pricing becomes even more critical in a slower market. You can't command premium pricing when there are fewer buyers competing. However, competitive pricing in a less crowded market can generate faster results than overpricing in a busy spring market.

Professional photography matters more in winter because buyers rely heavily on online listings. Consider twilight photos that showcase warm interior lighting, virtual tours that let buyers explore from home, and professional editing that makes winter scenes look appealing rather than bleak.

The Bottom Line: Is Winter Right for You?

Winter listing isn't right for everyone, but it's worth serious consideration if:

• Your home shows well year-round with good bones and interior appeal

• You're pricing competitively and realistically

• You need to sell on your timeline, not the market's timeline

• You appreciate the value of less competition

• Your property has features that shine in winter (amazing heating system, cozy fireplace, winter views)

Most sellers wait for spring because that's what everyone does. But smart sellers recognize that when everyone else zigs, there might be opportunity in zagging. Winter presents reduced competition and motivated buyers—a combination that shouldn't be dismissed simply because it's unconventional.

The question isn't whether winter is the "best" time to list. The question is whether winter's unique advantages align with your specific situation, property, and goals. For the right home with the right preparation and pricing, winter might just be your competitive edge.

Ready to explore whether a winter listing makes sense for your property? Let's discuss your specific situation and create a strategy that works for you—regardless of the season. Book a Call Here!

As the latest sales numbers roll in across the East Hants corridor, one big question keeps surfacing from homeowners:
“Is the market slowing down — or just settling into a new normal?”

With 29 closed sales this month and prices holding steady, the data points firmly toward stabilization, not decline. Let’s break down what’s happening across Elmsdale, Enfield, and Lantz and how buyers and sellers should interpret the shift.

What’s Happening in the East Hants Market Right Now?

Even as interest rates continue to influence borrowing power, the East Hants region is proving resilient.

Here are the key numbers from this month’s sold dataset:

• 🛒 29 Total Sales

• 💰 Average Price: $520,910

• 🏡 Median Price: $535,000

• 📈 High Sale: $1,079,900

• 📉 Low Sale: $60,000

• 🔄 List-to-Sale Ratio: 97.9%

• 💵 Total Volume: $15.1M

What stands out most is that homes continue selling for nearly 98% of their asking price — a clear sign that buyers remain confident and sellers are pricing strategically.

Is the Market Slowing — or Normalizing?

The narrative that “the market is slowing down” tends to surface every fall, and while activity usually cools slightly this time of year, the numbers tell a different story.

Here’s what we’re really seeing:

1️⃣ Prices Are Holding, Not Dropping

Both the average and median sale prices this month fall tightly within East Hants’ normal range. No dramatic dips, no distressed pricing — just steady, predictable movement.

2️⃣ Buyers Have More Room to Breathe

While homes are selling close to list price, gone are the days of frantic bidding wars and sight-unseen offers. Today’s buyers have time to think, compare, and choose strategically.

3️⃣ Sellers Still Control Value Through Pricing

The strongest performers this month were the homes priced in the $400K–$600K range, where the majority of sales occurred. Well-priced homes continue to move efficiently.

4️⃣ This Is a Return to a Healthy, Sustainable Market

The chaos of 2020–2022 was an anomaly.
The calmer, steadier behaviour we’re seeing now?
That’s what a normal real estate cycle looks like.

How Did Each Community Perform?

TMG Area Breakdown – Lantz, Elmsdale & Enfield (2025 Sales Provided)

Below are property counts, average sale prices, median sale prices, and individual sale details for each of the three East Hants communities between Nov 1st and Dec 1st 2025.

⭐ LANTZ

Sales Included (4):

1. 1438 Hwy 2, Lantz — $409,900

2. 112 Dutch Settlement Road, Lantz — $419,900

3. 26 Frederick Allen Drive, Lantz — $546,000

4. L039A 49 Lew Crescent, Lantz — $560,400

Lantz Summary

• Number of Sales: 4

• Average Sale Price: $484,050

• Median Sale Price: $482,950
  (median of $419,900 and $546,000)

⭐ ELMSDALE

Sales Included (1):

1. 6 Codys Lane, Elmsdale — $574,000

Elmsdale Summary

• Number of Sales: 1

• Average Sale Price: $574,000

• Median Sale Price: $574,000
  (only one sale)

⭐ ENFIELD

Sales Included (5):

1. 49 Parker Place Crescent, Enfield — $290,000

2. 3 Sherwood, Enfield — $490,000

3. 1 Sherwood, Enfield — $493,000

4. 30 Deep Woods Lane, Enfield — $535,000

5. 25 Sam Crescent, Enfield — $542,000

Enfield Summary

• Number of Sales: 5

• Average Sale Price: $470,000

• Median Sale Price: $493,000Price Breakdown: What Sold This Month?

Here’s a look at how the 29 sales spread across the market:

• Under $250K: A handful of rural or land-value opportunities

• $250K–$400K: Solid activity

• $400K–$550K: The busiest segment

• $550K–$700K: Healthy mid-upper market

• $700K+: Strong performance with two standout luxury sales

The standout sale was $1.079M, underscoring that there is still high-end demand for exceptional rural and lake-area homes.

Sales Volume: Stronger Than Expected for Late Fall

With $15.1M in total volume, the market outperformed typical late-season expectations. This tells us:

• Buyers are still active

• Sellers entering the market are being rewarded

• Pricing strategy is crucial

• No signs of a meaningful downturn

Even without days-on-market data, pricing stability alone suggests that listings are not stagnating.

So… What Does This Mean for 2025?

For Sellers

• A balanced market is the best time to sell strategically.

• Homes priced accurately to their condition and location still attract steady interest.

• Professional marketing continues to separate top performers from the rest.

For Buyers

• Stability means less competition and more negotiating power.

• Waiting for “the big price drop” is increasingly unlikely to pay off.

• The East Hants corridor offers more diversity across price points than any period in the last three years.

Final Thoughts: Stability Is Not a Slowdown — It’s a Strength

The East Hants real estate market is not cooling in the alarming way national headlines sometimes suggest. Instead, it’s settling comfortably into a predictable rhythm, giving both buyers and sellers something they haven’t had in years:

➡️ Clarity
➡️ Balance
➡️ Confidence

If you're planning a move, curious about your home’s value, or simply keeping an eye on the local market, The McCooeye Group is here to help you make smart, informed decisions.