By Sherry MacLeod Managing Broker, Cape Breton Realty As March turns into April, the sun sits higher in the sky and the days grow longer. Spring is in the air. For many people, it’s time to start shopping for real estate. Across Cape Breton and northeastern Nova Scotia, the spring market has always been the busiest time of the year. Buyers who have spent the winter thinking about a move begin actively looking, and sellers rush to get their homes ready so they don’t miss that important window of opportunity. The conditions this year are encouraging. Mortgage rates are reasonable, demand remains strong, and people continue to discover the lifestyle our region offers. But there is one thing sellers should remember: the spring selling season is short. Many homeowners believe they can wait until late May or June to prepare their property, but the reality is that serious buyers are often already looking by April. The homes that stand out early in the season frequently attract the most attention. If you are thinking of selling, preparation is the key to success. The first place to start is outside. After a long winter, yards often need attention. Clean up branches, rake

By Sherry MacLeod  Managing Broker, Cape Breton Realty Each Friday afternoon we do a Facebook live from our office.  Recently we talked about something many people are thinking about but not always planning clearly enough — retirement. I had recently watched and shared a video featuring Warren Buffett, who was discussing long-term investing and financial security. One point he made stood out: income-producing real estate can be a powerful tool for retirement planning. That idea isn’t new, but it remains remarkably practical. Unlike many investments that fluctuate dramatically, real estate has two characteristics that make it attractive over the long term. First, it tends to hold its value over time. Second, it can produce steady monthly income. For many people approaching retirement, those two factors matter more than anything else. Stocks and financial markets can generate strong returns, but they can also be unpredictable. A portfolio that looks strong one year can drop sharply the next. For someone relying on those investments to fund retirement, that volatility can be stressful. Income-producing real estate works differently. If you own a rental property that is properly maintained and located in a stable market, the monthly rent can provide a reliable stream of

Recent reports from CIBC suggest Canada’s housing market may be entering the early stages of a correction. Deputy chief economist Benjamin Tal recently described the situation bluntly: homes in many parts of the country are still too expensive to buy — but not profitable enough to build. That paradox is showing up clearly in large urban markets such as Toronto and Vancouver. Condo construction is slowing, buyers are hesitating, and developers are becoming cautious about starting new projects. Even though the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation reported an increase in housing starts last year, economists warn those numbers may reflect projects approved long ago rather than what is happening today. But here in Cape Breton and Northeast Nova Scotia, the situation looks quite different. For decades our market has operated on a far more practical footing. Prices never climbed to the levels seen in Canada’s largest cities. Speculative condo building was never a major factor here. And new homes were rarely built simply for resale because the numbers often didn’t work. In fact, all seasoned Realtors will tell you that by the time you factor in labour, materials, permits, and development costs, it has long been difficult to build a new home and sell it at a price the

By Beth Groom Broker of Record for Cape Breton Realty In our market across Cape Breton and Northeastern Nova Scotia, the spring selling season moves quickly — often faster than people expect. Many homeowners think April or May is the time to start preparing. In reality, that’s when the most competition hits the market. By the time we reach peak spring: Buyers have already been watching listings for weeks Early, well-prepared homes are already under contract Inventory is climbing And sellers who waited are competing for attention The strongest sales don’t happen because someone listed in April. They happen because the preparation started in February. The real work happens before the rush:  Strategic pricing  Property prep and improvements  Professional photography & drone  Mapping and data positioning  Targeted marketing — local, national, and international At Cape Breton Realty, we’re already seeing steady activity, balanced inventory, and serious buyers stepping back into the market. A balanced market rewards preparation. If a move is even on your radar for 2026 — whether it’s waterfront, acreage, residential, or commercial — this is the window to start the conversation. No pressure. No obligation. Just a strategy session so you’re ready when the moment is right. As

By Sherry MacLeod Managing Broker of Cape Breton Realty For the past few years, the federal Underused Housing Tax (UHT) has been a regular source of confusion, frustration, and no small amount of paperwork for property owners across Canada – particularly in rural and seasonal markets like those found throughout Cape Breton and Northeastern Nova Scotia. The tax was introduced as a 1% annual levy aimed largely at non-resident owners of vacant or underused homes. The idea was to discourage speculation and help free up housing supply. On paper, that sounded sensible enough. On the ground, however, the UHT quickly became a case study in how good intentions can get lost in complexity. In the federal government’s most recent budget, tabled in November 2025, Ottawa quietly (thankfully) signalled that it had heard the message. As part of Budget 2025, the federal government introduced legislation that would eliminate the Underused Housing Tax for the 2025 calendar year and beyond, and -just as importantly remove the requirement to file UHT returns for those years. Once enacted, that means no tax and no annual filing starting with 2025. YES!!!! For most property owners, this change will first be felt in 2026, when they might otherwise have

By Sherry MacLeod Managing Broker of Cape Breton Realty On a positive note, 2026 is shaping up to be a productive year in real estate. Putting together several deals in the first and second weeks of January is encouraging and suggests momentum heading into the year ahead. Two of the transactions I personally handled involved people moving back to Nova Scotia or retiring here. A third deal involves buyers from Ontario looking for a simpler lifestyle for their children. This is good news for our region. While only one of the buyers are young families, they are still very welcome-and critically important to our local economy. At the same time, many of the sellers involved are seniors, which reflects the demographic reality we are already living with. However, alongside this optimism is a growing concern that cannot be ignored. This week alone, two separate prospective buyers decided not to purchase property in Nova Scotia because of the 10% deed transfer tax. In one case, the tax would have amounted to approximately $120,000-money they would never recover. Quite frankly, I don’t blame them. If they are unable to move here permanently, they must pay the tax, or choose not to buy at

By Sherry MacLeod, Managing Broker, Cape Breton Realty As 2025 comes to an end, one message has become clear across rural Nova Scotia: government policies are hurting small communities that desperately need growth. And the most damaging of these policies is the 10% Provincial Deed Transfer Tax (PDT). The PDT Tax: A Tariff Between Provinces Premier Tim Houston has said Nova Scotia will lead the country in removing interprovincial trade barriers. Yet this year, the province doubled the Deed Transfer Tax from 5% to 10%, effectively creating a tariff on Canadians from other provinces unless they move here full-time. At a time when Canada should be encouraging mobility between provinces, Nova Scotia has chosen to close its doors. This tax makes our province significantly more expensive than our neighbours. New Brunswick has no provincial or county deed transfer tax, and both PEI and Newfoundland remain far more competitive. On a $500,000 property, the PDT adds an extra $50,000 just to get the keys. Even at 5%, the tax was burdensome—but at 10%, the impact has been devastating. Most counties also charge their own deed transfer tax on top of this. Rural communities rely on out-of-province buyers to fill homes, support

By Sherry MacLeod, Managing Broker, Cape Breton Realty The purchase or sale of a home is about much more than the property itself — it’s one of the strongest economic drivers in every local community. According to a recent study by the Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA) and Altus Group, each MLS® resale home transaction in Canada generates an average of $97 500 in spin-off economic activity. That includes spending on renovations, legal and appraisal fees, moving costs, appliances, furnishings, and other related services. In Atlantic Canada, the regional average is slightly lower at about $43 000 per home sale, but even that conservative figure shows just how vital our housing market is to local jobs and small businesses. Using MLS® data for the Cape Breton and Northeastern Nova Scotia region, we can see the local story clearly: 2020: 1 185 homes sold 2021: 1 591 homes sold 2022: 1 479 homes sold 2023: 1 184 homes sold 2024: 1 233 homes sold 2025 (to date): 1 084 homes sold At the Atlantic average of $43 000 in spin-off spending per transaction, those sales represent between $46 million and $68 million in annual economic impact across our region. If we

Why Fall is One of the Best Times to Buy in Cape Breton By Sherry MacLeod Managing Broker Cape Breton Realty | https://capebretonrealty.com Every year, as the leaves turn and the air cools, Cape Breton’s real estate market takes on a unique rhythm. Fall has always been one of our strongest seasons for buying and selling, yet many people hesitate. Buyers often wonder why a house has been on the market for a few weeks and assume something must be wrong. Sellers sometimes worry that if they don’t get an offer quickly, they should wait until spring. The truth is, both sides of the market can benefit by leaning into fall rather than holding off. The Myth of “What’s Wrong With It?” It’s a question I hear often: “If this is such a good home, why hasn’t it sold already?” The reality is, in September and October, homes naturally sit on the market longer than they do in the early spring rush. That doesn’t mean there’s anything wrong with the property — it’s simply about timing. In the spring, when inventory is tight and buyers are out in force, homes can go under agreement within days. By fall, the pace shifts. Families

By Sherry MacLeod Managing Broker/Cape Breton Realty | https://capebretonrealty.com Last week, the Bank of Canada trimmed its key interest rate by a quarter point, bringing it down to 2.5%. It was the first cut in six months and comes at a time when the Canadian economy is showing signs of strain — slower growth, softer job numbers, and ongoing global trade uncertainty. For homeowners and businesses carrying variable-rate debt, the move brings some immediate relief. Mortgage and loan payments should dip slightly, and refinancing may look more attractive. But while cheaper borrowing is welcome, the cut also raises questions: if the economy were on stable footing, would the Bank feel the need to act at all? Unemployment is high, especially among young people. Although easing, inflation is still pretty high. The Bank’s language was cautious. This isn’t a signal of confidence, but rather a defensive play to keep the economy from slipping further. For savers and retirees relying on fixed income, the news isn’t as bright, as returns on safe investments will likely fall further. Looking ahead, the cut may help bolster consumer confidence and nudge investment, but it won’t solve deeper issues like weak exports, global trade disruptions, or

By Sherry MacLeod Managing Broker Cape Breton Realty Across the country, homeowners have been feeling the slowdown. Many have stepped back, waiting for a stronger market before relisting their homes. Here in Cape Breton, we’ve felt some of that same hesitation. Sales activity cooled earlier this year, and for a time, the pace seemed to stall. But unlike the sharper shocks we saw during COVID, this slowdown has been more measured—and we’re already seeing signs of a gradual recovery. Housing prices here have not fallen back. In fact, they’ve continued to edge higher, and buyers are slowly returning. Lessons from the Past Cape Breton’s real estate market has weathered many cycles. After the 2008 financial crisis, sales softened but values remained relatively steady compared to larger urban centres. And when COVID struck, activity briefly disappeared—only to come back in a surge of demand for rural and coastal living. History tells us that downturns don’t last forever. Every pause is followed by renewed movement, and our region’s market has always proven resilient. Where We Stand Today According to the Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA), national numbers show sales up from last year and balanced conditions across much of the country. Locally, Cape

By Sherry MacLeod Managing Broker of Cape Breton Realty | https://capebretonrealty.com While much of Canada has enjoyed a temporary reprieve in the form of a buyer-friendly housing market over the past few months, signs are pointing to an imminent shift. According to mortgage expert Penelope Graham of Ratehub.ca, fixed mortgage rates are rising, variable rates appear to be stabilizing, and the housing market — once cooling — may be on the verge of heating up again. June’s inflation numbers crept up to 1.9%, and job growth appears stable, giving the Bank of Canada little reason to proceed with further rate cuts. In fact, the five- year bond yields — the metric used to determine fixed mortgage rates — have reached a six-month high in the 3% range. This increase has already triggered rate hikes from lenders, with more potentially on the horizon. What does this mean for us here in rural Nova Scotia and on Cape Breton Island? We’re seeing a tale of two markets. While some regions — like Halifax Regional Municipality and Cape Breton Regional Municipality — experienced continued strength earlier this year, a slowdown is becoming more noticeable, particularly as the number of foreign students declines. This shift has