Buying a Home: NS
Buying a Home in Nova Scotia
Province-specific costs, taxes, and the step-by-step process for Nova Scotia home buyers.
Nova Scotia home buyer's checklist
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Built for your province
- ✓Province-specific closing cost breakdown
- ✓Nova Scotia land transfer tax guide
- ✓Step-by-step buying checklist
- ✓What to watch out for in Nova Scotia
Free. General information only, not legal or regulatory advice.
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Home Buyer Package
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Closing costs · land transfer tax · buyer checklist
Answer plain-language questions: we fill everything in and check each detail as you go.
- ✓Everything in free
- ✓Offer checklist
- ✓Closing cost worksheet
- ✓Land transfer tax guide
- ✓Step-by-step buyer guide
Helps avoid unexpected costs or missed buyer steps
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Built by Nathan, nine years in the Canadian Army, paperwork done the hard way first.
Land Transfer Tax / Fees
Nova Scotia has a municipal Deed Transfer Tax set by each municipality, typically 1.5% of property value (Halifax Regional Municipality: 1.5%). Non-residents also pay a Provincial Non-resident Deed Transfer Tax of 10% (raised from 5% on April 1, 2025) on residential property with 3 or fewer dwelling units, calculated on the higher of purchase price or assessed value; exempt if the buyer moves to NS within 6 months.
First-Time Buyer Rebate
No province-wide rebate; check your municipality.
Closing Costs to Budget For
- Deed Transfer Tax (~1.5%)
- Legal fees (ask for a quote)
- Title insurance (varies by property value)
- Home inspection (varies by property size and age)
- Property tax adjustments
- HST on new builds
Professionals You'll Need
Lawyer / Notary
A lawyer completes the title transfer. No law society publishes a set fee tariff, so fees vary by firm and by the complexity of the transaction; ask for a quote up front.
Title Insurance
Strongly recommended. Premiums are a one-time cost that varies with the property value and the insurer; ask your lawyer or notary for a quote.
Home Inspector
Highly recommended, especially for older Cape Cod and Victorian-era homes common in the province.
Where Title Is Registered in Nova Scotia
Your lawyer registers the transfer/deed with the Service NS Land Registration (Property Online).
Service NS Land Registration (Property Online) →Step-by-Step Process
- 1Pre-approval
- 2Offer with conditions
- 3Satisfy conditions
- 4Lawyer completes title search and transfer
- 5Close
Watch Out For
Older homes may have oil heating; budget for potential oil tank decommissioning
Check for urea-formaldehyde foam insulation in homes built 1975–1985