Written by Tanya White, communications director for the Nova Scotia Association of Realtor
Decades before the establishment of a dedicated organization for real estate practice in Nova Scotia, the market operated with little regulation. Property advertisements appeared in local newspapers like The Chronicle Herald and The British Colonist. Short notices directed interested buyers to one of the province’s few practitioners of property trading.
(Photo: The British Colonist – September 8, 1860.)
Since its founding in 2000, the Nova Scotia Association of Realtors(NSAR) has grown to include over 2,100 members. These professionals adhere to high service standards and a strict code of ethics. Over the last 25 years, the industry has undergone significant transformation, much of it driven by technology.
In 2003, NSAR launched Nova Scotia’s first online MLS, allowing Realtors to upload property photos directly to listings. That same year, the association began sharing MLS statistics with the media, solidifying NSAR as the province’s leading source for housing data.
Reflecting on NSAR’s evolution, Mary MacDonald, the association’s first president, said, “Technology has been one of the biggest changes…from having to hire (photographers) to now being able to do them ourselves and using equipment such as drones.”
Education and professional development
NSAR manages the provincial MLS system and provides all real estate licensing courses in Nova Scotia through an agreement with the Nova Scotia Real Estate Commission. In 2024, the association introduced an enhanced salesperson licensing course designed to better prepare new professionals for the industry’s demands. NSAR offers annual mandatory courses and a broker licensing course.
CEO, Roger Boutilier emphasized the importance of innovation, “Constantly looking ahead and being aware of the latest technologies to help our members stay at the forefront of the industry is a key priority. With the pace of new technologies being introduced, this can be challenging, but our industry must continue to evolve to offer the best service possible to clients who are also doing their homework and staying tech-savvy.”
A commitment to advocacy
NSAR has become a voice for Nova Scotia’s real estate industry, boasting a strong advocacy program. Its award-winning Political Action Committee (PAC) collaborates with the Canadian Real Estate Association to advance national housing initiatives. At the local level, the Provincial/Municipal Action Committee (PMAC) works to improve attainable housing for Nova Scotians.
“Prior to the fall provincial election, we surveyed members on the issues that were top of mind to them. Deed Transfer Tax reforms, innovative housing ideas, housing affordability, and disbursement of municipal lands were at the forefront and formed the advocacy plan for that,” Boutilier shared. “These issues were similar to NSAR’s plan in the municipal elections earlier in the fall. Overall, NSAR’s ‘asks’ were evident in the various candidate and party platforms. NSAR members feel passionate about opening up homeownership in all areas of the housing spectrum- from low-income housing to moderate and beyond. Our members care about their communities.”
Looking ahead, NSAR is gearing up for the Nova Scotia Cross-Sector Housing Summit in January 2025. This collaborative event, hosted with partners like the Nova Scotia Non-Profit Housing Association, will bring together private, social, and non-profit housing professionals to tackle pressing issues and develop actionable solutions.
Innovation for accessibility
As part of its commitment to inclusivity, NSAR recently added mandatory fields to the MLS system, helping homebuyers assess a property’s accessibility and adaptability. These updates, introduced in June 2024, include details like door widths, bathroom dimensions, and special features.
“Everyone’s definition of an accessible home is different,” said Bonnie Wigg, NSAR’s MLS® director. “So adding more information to listings will enable people to determine if a home is adaptable for them.”
Navigating the current market
Past President Matthew Dauphinee noted that the current market can be divided by by price point, “Sellers and buyers at different price points have very different experiences. Below $500,000 has more buyers, the down payment assistance program has helped that end of the market, where the $800,000 plus market has fewer buyers or may see more homes selling subject to the sale of the buyers’ home.”
Dauphinee also highlighted challenges like rising property taxes and insurance costs, which have made affordability a growing concern. Despite these pressures, he predicted a steady market for 2025, with a slight uptick driven by lower interest rates and increased construction.
What lies ahead
Looking toward spring, President Andrew Gilroy foresees a potential spike in inventory as mortgages come up for renewal. “If interest rates stabilize, we could see a surge in activity,” he said.
