Halifax Real Estate Market Update: January 2026 Shows Buyers Are Active—but Selective

Halifax Real Estate Market Update: January 2026

If January felt “quiet” to you, the numbers politely disagree.

While winter always comes with fewer listings, buyer activity in the Halifax real estate market was anything but dormant in January 2026. Showings were strong, deals were written at a healthy pace, and price-sensitive buyers made it clear they are shopping carefully—but confidently.

Let’s break down what actually happened in HRM this January, what it means if you’re selling, and why buyers still very much have their boots on.

January 2026 Halifax Market Snapshot

Here’s the high-level view using MLS activity across Halifax Regional Municipality:

Key January Totals

• New Listings: 231
• Price Changes: 120
• Homes Sold: 137
• Conditionals: 146
• Terminated Listings: 43
• Deals Written: 326
• Showings: 5,017
• Opening Inventory (Jan 1): 646 homes

Right away, two things jump out:

1. Showings are strong for January
2. Price adjustments are happening fast

That combination tells us everything we need to know about buyer psychology right now.

Buyer Activity: The Quiet Myth

Let’s talk about the elephant in the snowbank.

January is not a dead month. It’s a serious buyer month.

With 5,017 showings across HRM, buyers were actively touring homes—especially in the second half of the month. The week of January 19–25 alone saw 2,527 showings, nearly half of the entire month’s activity.

That tells us:

• Buyers are engaged
• They’re doing their homework
• And they’re comparing value very carefully

What they’re not doing? Rushing.

Pricing Reality: The Market Is Honest (Sometimes Brutally So)

We saw 120 price changes in January. That’s significant.

Here’s what that means in plain language:

If a home was overpriced, the market corrected it quickly.

Homes that came out priced aggressively—or anchored to outdated assessments—were forced to adjust. Meanwhile, correctly priced homes moved.

Median Sold Prices by Week

• Jan 5–11: $560,000
• Jan 12–18: $587,000
• Jan 19–25: $580,000

Translation?
Prices are stable, not skyrocketing—and buyers are not rewarding wishful pricing.

High-End Still Moves (But It Has to Make Sense)

The highest sale of the month hit $1,990,000, proving that luxury is still alive in Halifax.

But here’s the catch:
Luxury buyers are even more analytical than entry-level buyers.

They expect:

• Strong presentation
• Clear value
• Zero fluff

If the price doesn’t match the product, they simply move on.

Deals Written vs. Homes Sold: A Crucial Distinction

January saw 326 deals written, yet only 137 sales finalized within the month.

This gap matters.

It tells us:

• Buyers are writing offers
• Conditional periods are longer
• Financing, inspections, and due diligence are front and centre

This is not panic buying. This is measured confidence.

Terminations: The Market Is Unforgiving

With 43 terminated listings, January reminded sellers of an important truth:

The market no longer carries overpriced or poorly positioned homes.

Listings that failed to adjust—or failed to present well—were pulled, terminated, or quietly regrouped.

That’s not a bad thing. It’s a reset.

What This Means for Sellers in Halifax

If you’re thinking about selling in 2026, January gave us the blueprint.

What Works

• Correct pricing from day one
• Professional staging and presentation
• Data-driven strategy (not assessment-driven pricing)

What Doesn’t

• “Testing the market”
• Ignoring early feedback
• Waiting too long to adjust

Buyers are active—but they are decisive in what they won’t overpay for.

What This Means for Buyers

For buyers, January confirmed something important:

You have choice, but not unlimited leverage.

Good homes still attract:

• Multiple showings
• Competing interest
• Clean offers when priced right

However, patience and preparation are paying off—especially for buyers who understand neighbourhood-level values in HRM.

Looking Ahead: February and Spring Positioning

January isn’t about volume. It’s about signals.

And the signals are clear:

• Buyer demand is present
• Pricing discipline is essential
• Strategy matters more than timing

Spring won’t save a poorly priced home.
But a well-positioned one? It will shine.

Final Thoughts

The Halifax real estate market in January 2026 didn’t hibernate—it recalibrated.

Buyers showed up. Sellers adjusted. And the market quietly reminded everyone that value always wins.

If you’re selling, the question isn’t when—it’s how.
And if you’re buying, knowledge is still your strongest negotiating tool.

Authorship

Written by Sandra Pike, REALTOR® — Top 1% Nationally with Royal LePage, specializing in Halifax resale properties, strategic pricing, and data-driven market analysis.