Stats from the Nova Scotia Association of REALTORS® (NSAR)
Executive Summary
The Nova Scotia real estate market in January 2025 demonstrates continued buyer leverage, with 69% of homes selling below asking price. Market dynamics reveal a competitive landscape for sellers, with an average sale-to-list ratio of 96.5%. New inventory of 348 listings entered the market this month, while 191 homes successfully closed, indicating selective buyer activity in the post-holiday period.
Price negotiations remain a critical factor, with an average price reduction of $42,308 on properties that adjusted their listing price. However, well-positioned properties continue to generate competitive offers, with 23% of homes selling above asking price at an average premium of $22,828.
The $400,000-$599,999 price segment dominates market activity, representing 47% of all closed transactions. This middle-market strength reflects continued demand for family homes, while the luxury sector ($1M+) accounts for 8% of sales, demonstrating sustained high-net-worth buyer interest in Nova Scotia real estate.
New Listings
348
Properties entered market in January
Homes Sold
191
Successful closings this month
Average Days on Market
52
Time to sale for closed properties
Property Showings
6,486
Total buyer viewings recorded
Sales Price Analysis
Market Insight
Average listing prices of $672,396 are adjusting to market realities, with final selling prices averaging $648,712. This $23,684 differential highlights the importance of strategic pricing from initial listing. Properties requiring price adjustments see an average reduction of $42,308, emphasizing the value of accurate initial market positioning to minimize days on market and negotiate from strength.
Price Distribution: Market Segmentation
Market Insight
The Nova Scotia housing market shows strong concentration in the $400,000-$599,999 range, with 89 homes (47% of total sales) closing in this segment. This middle-market strength indicates sustained demand for family homes and reflects current financing capacity among qualified buyers. The luxury market ($1M+) maintains steady activity with 15 transactions, representing stable high-net-worth investment in Nova Scotia real estate.
Negotiation Dynamics: Above vs. Below Asking
Market Insight
Current market conditions favor prepared buyers, with 69% of homes selling below asking price. However, the 23% of homes that exceed asking price demonstrate that well-positioned properties with competitive pricing still generate multiple offers. Successful sellers in this environment leverage data-driven pricing strategies, professional staging, and strategic marketing to distinguish their properties and capture premium positioning.
Price Adjustments: Market Reality
Market Insight
With 144 properties requiring price reductions in January (75% of total listings), the data underscores the critical importance of accurate initial pricing. Properties that entered the market at appropriate price points—informed by comprehensive market analysis, comparable sales data, and current buyer sentiment—avoid the stigma of extended market time and maintain negotiating leverage. This environment rewards sellers who partner with agents providing rigorous market intelligence and realistic pricing counsel.
Market Activity Indicators
Market Insight
January's market metrics reveal a 14.4% conversion rate from new listings to closed sales (50 of 348 listings sold within the month), indicating selective buyer behavior and longer decision cycles. The 6,486 showings demonstrate sustained buyer interest, averaging 34 viewings per sold property. For sellers, this translates to the importance of presentation quality, flexible showing availability, and patience in allowing the right buyer to emerge. Properties positioned with competitive pricing and strong market appeal convert showings to offers more efficiently.
