By Don McCooeye, CD, BA, MA, SRES, CIPS | Royal LePage Atlantic
As a REALTOR® working daily across both Halifax Regional Municipality and East Hants, the spring market of 2026 is delivering a clear message: inventory is back, buyers have choices, and the market is asking sellers to be realistic. Here’s my read on where things stand — and what it means if you’re thinking of buying or selling.
The Big Picture: More Supply, More Selectivity
The HRM residential market is entering spring 2026 with significantly more inventory than any point in the last three years. Total residential listings across HRM hit 1,282 as of the week of April 28 — up from 976 at the same time in 2025 and 724 in 2023: a 31% year-over-year surge in supply. At the same time, monthly sales have pulled back — only 363 homes sold in the trailing period, compared to 453 in 2025 and 461 in 2024. That puts months-of-inventory at 3.06 — still technically a seller’s market (below 4 months), but meaningfully softer than the sub-2-month environment of two years ago. Average days on market has crept up to 46, versus 39 a year ago and 31 in 2023. The market isn’t stalled — but it’s no longer running.
Prices: Appreciation Continues, But at a Sustainable Pace
Despite softer volume, prices have held. The trailing 6-month average sale price across HRM is $601,433 — up 2.4% year-over-year, well below the 6% of 2025 and 4.8% of 2024, but growth, not decline. The list-to-sale ratio has eased to 97.83%. In single-family, the Halifax–Dartmouth Area posted an April 2026 average of $693,028 (+6.6% YoY), while East Hants/Colchester West came in at $516,857 (-1.3%). Halifax continues to attract premium demand; East Hants is in a natural post-peak recalibration.
East Hants (Area 105): Value Country in a Correcting Market
East Hants continues cooling, but the headlines don’t tell the full story. New listings hit 49 in April 2026 (all property types, +11.4% YoY) and 51 single-family (+6.3%). Pending sales were 34 — up +17.2% YoY in single-family. That pending activity is the detail I’m watching most: prices are modest, but qualified buyers are still moving. Average sale price sits at $516,462 (all property types), up just 1.8% — a market finding its floor rather than continuing to slide. For buyers willing to look outside HRM, East Hants still offers real value — newer homes, larger lots, lower price points. For sellers, the window of easy above-ask sales has closed.
The Over-Ask Picture: Competition Still Exists — Selectively
HRM’s March 2026 data (the most recent fully closed month) shows 43% of 350 firm sales closed at or above list. That’s 150 homes with competition, at an average premium of $19,794 — one property sold $237,535 over asking. At the same time, 200 homes sold below asking, and median days on market was just 13. The market hasn’t gone cold — it’s split. Hot properties sell fast; overpriced or under-prepared homes sit.
Supply Surge: What’s Driving the Listing Jump?
April 2026 new listings across the Halifax–Dartmouth Area hit 827 (+12.7% YoY). Pending sales came in at 401 (-7.2%). That gap between supply arriving and deals being written is the defining tension of spring 2026 — part seasonal, part mortgage-renewal pressure, part sellers who waited through 2025 now coming to terms with a new normal. Whatever the reason, buyers benefit: more choice, less pressure, more room to negotiate.
What Does This Mean for You?
For buyers: this is genuinely the best buyer environment in three or four years. Inventory is the highest since 2023. You have time to be selective and to negotiate. In the $400K–$600K sweet spot, well-priced homes are still competitive — come prepared.
For sellers: the market rewards preparation and accurate pricing. Properly staged, well-priced, aggressively marketed homes are selling. Others are sitting. Your home has real competition now — don’t give buyers a reason to scroll past.
The Bottom Line
Spring 2026 is a market of contrasts — more inventory than we’ve seen in years, yet prices still positive year-over-year. Buyers have leverage they haven’t had since before COVID; sellers can still achieve strong results with the right strategy. If you’re thinking about making a move, let’s talk — I’d be glad to help you read the market and put together a plan.
Data Sources & Methodology
All figures sourced and pulled on May 4, 2026 from: Royal LePage Atlantic / NSAR (Paragon MLS) Weekly Stats Residential (Apr 28, 2026, trailing 6-month HRM residential); NSAR Market Snapshot, March 2026 (HD Residential Flow, as of Apr 13, 2026); NSAR InfoSparks (Average Sales Price, New Listings, Pending Sales — Halifax–Dartmouth Area vs. 105-East Hants/Colchester West). Figures subject to revision as further transactions report.
Don McCooeye, CD, BA, MA, SRES, CIPS is a REALTOR® with Royal LePage Atlantic serving Halifax Regional Municipality, East Hants, and surrounding areas.
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