If you’ve been talking to agents lately, you might get the impression Halifax is still buzzing with bidding wars and lineups of buyers. Let’s be clear: it’s not.
As of mid-2025, only 26% of listings are selling across Halifax Regional Municipality (HRM). Homes are taking 60 to 90 days (or longer) to sell—up sharply from the lightning-fast days of 2021–2022.
And that’s not bad news. It’s just normal. For the first time in over a decade, Halifax has moved into what I call a “Cinderella market” — buyers are still showing up, but only for the homes that fit just right.
Why Halifax Is in a Balanced Market
For most of my 15 years in real estate, Halifax ran on a buyer’s engine – except Covid years. Now, we’re back to something more realistic — where pricing, condition, and strategy matter more than ever.
What’s causing the shift?
Higher interest rates: Borrowing costs have doubled since 2021, trimming buyer budgets and confidence.
Economic caution: Between inflation and affordability fatigue, many are waiting for the “perfect” time — or perfect house.
Inventory buildup: Halifax saw inventory rise 8% year-over-year from 2023-2024, meaning more competition for sellers. We are already at 4941 homes listed and it is only Oct. The inventory last year was 5365. I believe we will surpass this number and be closer to 2016-2018 inventory count.
Our market is not experiencing a crash. It’s a market reset — and one that rewards sellers who adapt.
What Affects Selling Time in Halifax
1. Local Market Conditions
While the national market might average 60 days, local results vary dramatically. Suburban areas like Sackville or Eastern Passage can still move quickly under $600K, while Bedford and the Halifax Peninsula are seeing longer timelines and more price adjustments.
The real measure? Days on Market (DOM) from NSAR. Once listings pass the 60–90 day mark, we know it’s a slower cycle.
2. Pricing
Overpricing is the #1 reason listings sit stale. Halifax buyers today are savvy — they know what’s been sitting, what’s dropped, and what sold.
If you don’t see solid activity in the first 2–3 weeks, it’s usually a pricing signal, not a marketing problem. A price drop of $25K–$50K is often what gets a property back into play.
3. Seasonality
Our market naturally slows between November and March (no one wants to move a couch in a snowstorm). Expect fewer buyers and longer DOM through winter — but those who are shopping then are typically more serious.
4. Property Condition
Buyers in 2025 expect “move-in ready.” They don’t want to redo kitchens, repaint, or fix leaky faucets. Homes that are staged, decluttered, and photographed professionally consistently sell faster — and for more money.
5. Market Psychology
Once a listing hits 60+ days, buyers assume something’s wrong. It’s harsh, but true. That’s why repositioning early — through new photos, new pricing, or even a fresh MLS number — keeps your home from becoming “the one everyone scrolls past.”
How to Sell Faster in a Slower Halifax Market
1. Price Competitively — Right From the Start
Forget “testing the market.” Halifax buyers aren’t paying a premium for curiosity listings.
2. Update and Stage Strategically
Staging in Halifax can add 5–10% to your sale price and cut DOM by weeks. Even light staging or virtual staging (especially for condos) can make a dramatic difference.
Declutter like your mother-in-law is coming for an inspection.
3. Nail the First Impression — Online
Over 90% of buyers start online, and that first scroll determines if you get a showing.
Invest in professional photos, drone footage if applicable, and a strong description that includes:
The neighbourhood name (e.g., “Bedford South” or “Clayton Park”)
Key search phrases (“home near Halifax Shopping Centre,” “family home with fenced yard”)
Local lifestyle features (“walking distance to coffee, trails, and schools”)
This isn’t just marketing — it’s SEO for buyers.
4. Be Flexible
If buyers want evening showings, short-notice viewings, or a quick close, say yes when possible. Flexibility signals motivation, and in a slower market, that’s gold.
5. Monitor Feedback and Pivot Fast
The first 30 days tell you everything you need to know. No showings = price problem. Showings but no offers = condition or presentation problem.
Smart sellers (and their agents) adjust fast rather than sitting idle for months.
Understanding Today’s Halifax Buyer
In slow markets, motivated buyers still exist — they’ve just changed.
Life transitions still drive purchases: divorces, job relocations, and growing families don’t wait for “perfect timing.”
Investors are back — but picky: they’re looking for underpriced opportunities, not bidding wars.
Locals are cautious but committed: Halifax remains more affordable than most major cities, but affordability is tighter than ever.
When to Reset: Terminate and Relist
If your home’s been sitting for 90+ days with minimal activity, it might be time to relist with a new strategy — new MLS number, new photos, and a tighter price point.
It’s not failure — it’s a refresh. Halifax buyers respond to “new listings” far more than “price reduced.”
The Truth About the First Offer
After analyzing hundreds of Halifax sales, one pattern never changes:
👉 The first offer is usually the best offer.
Early buyers are the most motivated and best informed. Waiting “for something better” often means chasing the market down while paying another few months of mortgage, taxes, and utilities.
Why This Market Rewards the Prepared
Halifax’s market in 2025 isn’t dead — it’s discerning. The homes that are priced right, staged well, and marketed strategically still sell quickly.
Those that aren’t? They wait for a fairy godmother who isn’t coming.
If you’re selling in Halifax this fall or winter, approach it like a pro:
Know your numbers (DOM, price per square foot, and absorption rate).
Listen to real feedback, not wishful thinking.
Be ready to adjust early.
The glass slipper still fits — it just takes a smarter strategy to make it shine.
Call-to-Action:
Thinking about selling your Halifax home in this “Cinderella market”? Let’s talk about how to get it sold without the waiting game.
👉 Visit SandraPike.ca or call me directly for a pricing strategy that works in today’s market.
