Newsletter August 2025 Halifax Real Estate

HalifaxRealEstateNews

Halifax’s 2025 Regional Plan Rejected by Province: What It Means for Developers, Housing,

and Real Estate

Halifax’s2025RegionalPlanHitsa Roadblock—Here’sWhatItMeans forDevelopmentandHousing

OnAugust8,2025,HalifaxRegional Municipality(HRM)gotanunexpected answerfromtheProvinceofNova Scotia:No.

Afterfiveyearsofwork,public consultation,andcollaborationwith provincialstaff,theupdated2025 RegionalMunicipalPlanningStrategy (commonlycalledtheRegionalPlan) wasofficiallyrejectedbytheMinisterof MunicipalAffairs Thisdecisionmeans theplan whichwasdesignedto guidesustainablegrowth,unlocknew housingareas,andmodernize developmentrules—isonhold

HalifaxRealEstateMarketUpdate:

If you’re wondering how the Halifax housing market held up in July, the answeris:betterthanmostexpected.Despitealotofheadlinessuggesting buyer fatigue and affordability concerns, 435 single-family homes sold acrossHRM—andagoodchunkofthemsoldfast.

This isn’t just another “market update.” It’s a breakdown of what’s really going on behind the sold signs. Spoiler alert: buyers are still buying, sellers arestillgettingdecentreturns butonlywhenthepriceisright.

4 Bedrooms

ORCHID COURT 289

Where luxury meets comfort! This 2-level residence is a masterpiece in design and functionality. All interior pictures are from a previous build.

3 Bathroom

3,270 sqft

WHAT JULY’S SHOWINGS SAY ABOUT HALIFAX’S HOUSING MARKET

Let’sbeblunt:Halifaxisfirmlyinabuyer’smarket,andthe showingdatafromJuly2025provesit.

Here’sthebreakdown:

TotalShowings:11,148

HomesforSale:1,419

HomesSold:435

AbsorptionRate:30.7%

Ifyou’rewonderingwhatthatmeansinplain...

WHY HALIFAX PROPERTY ASSESSMENTS DON’T REFLECT REAL MARKET VALUE (AND WHAT YOU CAN DO ABOUT IT)

Ifyou’veeveropenedyourpropertytaxassessment andnearlyspitoutyourcoffee,you’renotalone. InHalifax,propertyassessmentsarehandledbythe PropertyValuationServicesCorporation(PVSC).While theideaistoassesseveryhomeat“marketvalue,” thewaytheycalculatethatnumberfeelsmorelike throwingdartsthananalyzingrealdata

SHOWINGS UNDER SUNNY SKIES

AreSeniorsDrivingNova Scotia’sHousingCrisis?

In conversations about Nova Scotia’s housing crisis, one narrative keeps bubbling up: seniors who “refuse to move” are tying up homes foryoungerbuyers.Buthere’sthetruth thisstoryisfartoosimplefora problemthat’sanythingbut.

Seniorsaren’tthevillainsofthehousingcrisis.They’relivingthroughit like everyone else often with fewer options and tighter budgets. Let’s breakdownwhat’sactuallygoingon...

WhyAreSoMany DealsFalling Through?

It’s one of the most frustrating things you can go through as a seller: you accept an offer, start mentally packing boxes, and then boom your deal falls apart. Welcome to the world of terminated sales in Halifax real estate.

If you’re wondering whether this is happening more often lately, you’re not wrong. The market’s been shifting, and the cracks are starting to show especially in specificprice...

HowtoSellYourHomeinHalifax

WhenOnePartnerRefuses

Separation is hard enough. Add in a propertydisputeandthingsgofrom “conscious uncoupling” to “conscious chaos” real quick. If you’re trying to sell your home in Halifax—butyourexisdiggingintheir heels—you’re not alone, and you’re definitelynotwithoutoptions.

Let’s break down the facts (and the feelings) and get you moving— literallyandlegally.

WhyCan’tWeJustListIt?

Because technically, both owners have to agree to the sale. Even if you’retheonepayingthemortgage, if both names are on the title, you both have to sign off on the listing agreement,theoffer,andtheclosing paperwork.

And no, changing the locks isn’t a solution(tempting,Iknow).

So,WhatCanYouActuallyDo?

This is where the legal meets the logical...

CONDOSALESINTHESUMMERSUN

MHalifaxSingle-FamilyHome arket–Year-to-Date2025

Review

As of the end of July 2025, Halifax’s single-family home market has moved over 2,600 properties, with seasonal momentum driving both buyer activity and price behavior. This year’s market has been tight, competitive,andfullofclassicspring fever energy especially when it comestothosebiddingwars.

Here’showit’sshapingupsofar: SalesVolume&Seasonal Momentum Totalhomessold(Jan–July):

2,614

Peakmonths:

Juneledwith501sales

Maycloselyfollowedwith485

Slowerstart:Januarykickedoffat 210sales

Julypulledbackslightly:435sales butstillverystrong

Takeaway:ThisisatextbookAtlantic Canadaseasonalcycle—rampingup from winter lows, peaking in spring, andshowingearly...