Inventory Holds Steady — But Days on Market Hit a New High

We opened December with 852 single-family homes on the market across HRM. That's a meaningful amount of choice for buyers, and whenever buyers have choice, they also get picky. Cinderella syndrome in full swing.

More telling than inventory, though, is this: if your home hasn't sold yet, you're now sitting at 92 days on market on average. That's the highest we've seen since October 1. Buyers are browsing. They're swiping. They're saving. But they're not rushing.

New Listings & Price Changes Show Sellers Are Adjusting

During the week of December 1–7, 79 new properties hit the market and 66 price changes occurred. Those price changes are the canary in the coal mine. Sellers are feeling the pressure and adjusting expectations as the year winds down. Homes that entered the market too optimistically are now being realigned to meet where buyers actually live — financially and emotionally.

Showings Were Strong — Offers? Not So Much

This is where things get spicy. HRM saw 1,264 showings and 164 deals written. That level of traffic should normally translate to more contracts. Instead, what we saw was a significant gap between interest and action. Buyers are out there. They're looking. They're not jumping.

This tells us two things: price sensitivity is high, and condition expectations are even higher.

Deals Written vs. Deals Sticking

Out of those 164 deals written, 79 homes actually sold, 63 are sitting in conditional status, and 22 deals have already terminated. Those 22 terminations? Classic December issues: home inspections, financing hiccups, and a sprinkle of cold feet. In a careful market, anything that doesn't check out becomes a deal-breaker. Expect conditional deals to take longer to clear, with inspection expectations climbing higher than Santa up a ladder.

Prices Show a Softer Week

The median selling price for the week came in surprisingly low at $519,400. This is one of the softer medians we've seen in recent months and shows that lower and mid-range sales were dominating activity. The highest sale of the week hit $1,850,000, proving that the upper market still has moments of life — but the bulk of activity is clearly happening in the moderate price bands.

Market Data Summary

What This Means for Sellers Right Now

This first week of December paints a clear picture: buyers are active but cautious. They want value, not projects. Condition expectations are rigid. Pricing needs to match reality, not hope.

And with 92 days on market now the new benchmark for unsold homes, patience is required but strategic adjustment is essential. If you're thinking of selling or currently on the market, this is the moment to sharpen your strategy, tighten your presentation, and ensure your price is aligned with where buyers are willing to move.

December may be chilly, but motivated buyers are out there — you just need to meet them where they are.