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:
Relocations or job changes
Life-driven moves (separation, family needs, downsizing)
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.
