Stats from the Nova Scotia Association of REALTORS® (NSAR)
Executive Summary
The Nova Scotia real estate market in November 2025 demonstrates robust fall activity, with 281 homes successfully closing during the month. This represents a 47% increase compared to January's 191 closings, signaling strengthened buyer confidence and seasonal momentum. Market dynamics continue to favor prepared buyers, with 75% of homes selling below asking price, though competitive properties still command premiums in desirable segments.
Active inventory levels remain elevated at 1,295 total listings, providing buyers with substantial selection across all price points. The absorption rate of 12% indicates a measured pace, with 292 new listings entering the market throughout November. Price negotiations remain central to transaction dynamics, with an average reduction of $49,286 on properties requiring adjustments—a 16% increase from January's average drop of $42,308.
The $500,000-$699,999 price segment dominates market activity, representing 49% of all transactions with 137 homes sold. This concentration reflects sustained demand for family homes in established neighborhoods. Meanwhile, the luxury sector ($1M+) accounts for 6% of sales, demonstrating continued high-net-worth interest despite broader market conditions. The average sale-to-list ratio of 95.2% suggests realistic pricing expectations are critical for timely transactions.
New Listings
292
Properties entered market in November
Homes Sold
281
Successful closings this month
Average Days on Market
42
Time to sale for closed properties
Property Showings
7,489
Total buyer viewings recorded
Sales Price Analysis
Market Insight
November's average listing price of $659,356 adjusts to a final selling price of $627,360, creating a $31,996 differential. This 4.8% gap emphasizes the importance of strategic initial pricing to maintain negotiating position. Properties requiring price adjustments experience an average reduction of $49,286—significantly higher than the market-wide gap, underscoring the penalty for overpricing. Successful sellers leverage comprehensive market analysis and competitive positioning to minimize time on market and maximize final proceeds.
Price Distribution: Market Segmentation
Market Insight
The Nova Scotia housing market shows pronounced concentration in the $500,000-$599,999 segment, with 82 homes sold—the single strongest price band. Combined with the adjacent $600,000-$699,999 bracket (55 sales), this middle-upper tier represents 49% of total market activity. This concentration indicates strong demand for move-up properties and executive family homes. The $400,000-$499,999 entry segment maintains solid performance with 50 sales, while luxury properties ($1M+) demonstrate resilience with 17 transactions despite broader market adjustments.
Negotiation Dynamics: Above vs. Below Asking
Market Insight
November's negotiation landscape reveals 75% of homes selling below asking price, compared to 69% in January, indicating increasing buyer leverage as inventory expands. However, the 20% of properties exceeding asking price demonstrate that strategically positioned homes with compelling value propositions continue to generate competitive bidding. Properties selling above asking commanded an average premium of $18,862, proving that excellence in presentation, accurate pricing, and targeted marketing delivers measurable results even in buyer-favorable conditions.
Price Adjustments: Market Reality
Market Insight
With 211 properties requiring price reductions in November (72% of new listings), the data reinforces the critical importance of accurate initial market positioning. This represents a slight improvement from January's 75% adjustment rate, suggesting marginally better initial pricing discipline. Properties that launched at appropriate price points—informed by current absorption rates, comparable sales, and buyer sentiment analysis—avoid extended market exposure and maintain stronger negotiating positions. This environment demands rigorous pre-listing market intelligence and realistic pricing counsel from experienced listing agents.
Market Activity Indicators
Market Insight
November's market metrics reveal a 12.7% conversion rate from new listings to closed sales (37 of 292 listings sold within the month), indicating selective yet engaged buyer behavior. The 7,489 showings demonstrate strong buyer interest—a 15% increase from January's 6,486—averaging 27 viewings per sold property. This elevated showing activity without proportional sales conversion suggests buyers are carefully evaluating options across extended timelines. For sellers, this translates to the importance of sustained property condition, flexible showing access, and strategic pricing adjustments when market feedback indicates positioning concerns.
Inventory Levels: Supply Dynamics
Market Insight
November opened with 1,093 active listings and absorbed 292 new listings throughout the month, reaching 1,295 total properties available to buyers. With 281 homes sold and 70 terminated listings, net inventory increased by 4% month-over-month. This expanding inventory provides buyers with substantial selection and negotiating leverage. The 4.6-month supply (based on current absorption rates) positions this as a balanced market trending toward buyer advantage. Sellers must differentiate through superior presentation, strategic pricing, and compelling marketing to capture attention in this competitive listing environment.
