Nova Scotia New Construction Market Report
August 2025 Provincial Analysis
Stats from the Nova Scotia Association of REALTORS® (NSAR)
🚨 CRITICAL MARKET FREEZE: ZERO SALES RECORDED
August 2025 marks an unprecedented event in Nova Scotia's new construction market: ZERO completed transactions province-wide. This represents a complete market standstill and the most severe contraction observed in the dataset.
Following July's 53% sales decline (27 transactions), August's complete freeze indicates profound market dislocation driven by:
- Severe buyer-seller price expectation gap
- Significant inventory accumulation (11 active listings visible)
- Potential financing constraint or credit tightening
- Seasonal vacation period compounding structural issues
- Market participants awaiting autumn price discovery
100% month-over-month sales decline: 27 transactions (July) → 0 transactions (August)
Active Listings
11+
Visible inventory
Sold Properties
0
Complete freeze
Sell-Through Rate
0%
No conversions
Average Selling Price
N/A
No transactions
Average Square Footage
N/A
No transactions
Price Per SqFt
N/A
No transactions
Market Trajectory: August vs. Previous Months
May Sales
58
July Sales
27
-53% from May
August Sales
0
-100% from July
3-Month Decline
-100%
58 → 0 transactions
Executive Market Intelligence
- Historic market freeze: August represents first month in dataset with zero completed new construction transactions across entire Nova Scotia province
- Three-month deterioration: Market declined from 58 sales (May) to 27 sales (July) to 0 sales (August) - 100% contraction in 90 days
- Inventory characteristics: Visible active listings concentrated in premium segments (West Bedford, Brunello Estates, Montebello) with list prices ranging $339K-$850K
- Geographic concentration: Available inventory shows clustering in established submarkets: West Bedford (4 listings by Shaughnessy Homes), Montebello (3 listings by Cresco Construction)
- Builder positioning: Shaughnessy Homes Limited and Cresco Construction Limited maintaining inventory despite zero sales, indicating confidence in autumn recovery or inability to adjust pricing
- Price point analysis: Active listings average approximately $650K, potentially above current market clearing price given zero absorption
- Market implications: September will be critical indicator - continued freeze suggests structural correction needed; resumption of activity validates seasonal explanation
- Strategic positioning: Buyers possess maximum leverage; sellers face potential capitulation or extended holding periods; builders must reassess pricing and product mix
Active Inventory Analysis - Available Listings
West Bedford
4
Builder: Shaughnessy Homes Limited
Range: $730K - $850K
Size: 2,243 - 2,526 sq ft
Montebello
3
Builder: Cresco Construction Limited
Price: $611K
Size: 1,600 sq ft
Brunello Estates
1
Builder: Ramar Construction Limited
Price: $830K
Size: 2,750 sq ft
Upper Onslow
1
Builder: BDO Canada Ltd (Receivership)
Price: $339K (reduced from $355K)
Size: 1,050 sq ft
Myers Point
1
Builder: PLS Contracting Limited
Price: $450K (reduced from $470K)
Size: 952 sq ft
Garlands Crossing
1
Builder: New Valley Homes
Firm Date: September 14, 2025
Price: $490K | Size: 1,298 sq ft
Market Context: 2025 Monthly Sales Trajectory
Strategic Recommendations for Q4 2025
- For Buyers: Maximum negotiating leverage - significant price concessions likely available, particularly on inventory held 100+ days
- For Sellers/Builders: Critical pricing reassessment required - August freeze indicates current pricing exceeds market clearing levels by material margin
- For Investors: Monitor September closely - if freeze continues, systematic correction probable; if activity resumes, August represents seasonal anomaly
- Market Watch: Properties reduced from original pricing (Upper Onslow, Myers Point) signal builder capitulation beginning - trend likely to accelerate if freeze persists
