Zach Surette Real Estate

Zach Surette Real Estate Real Estate Services You Can Trust!

🍂 Fall in Halifax hits different. 🍁✨From crisp harbour breezes and golden foliage at the Public Gardens to late-night pu...
09/26/2026

🍂 Fall in Halifax hits different. 🍁✨

From crisp harbour breezes and golden foliage at the Public Gardens to late-night public art installations and world-class festivals, Kjipuktuk / Halifax is absolute magic this autumn!

Whether you’re hunting for weekend plans, a date-night idea, or family fall fun, we’ve rounded up the best events happening around town:

🎬 Atlantic International Film Festival (AIFF) – Catch incredible Atlantic Canadian and international films right in downtown Halifax.
🎨 Nocturne: Art at Night – Watch the streets of Downtown Halifax, the North End, and Downtown Dartmouth transform into a free, open-air gallery after dark!
🎶 Halifax Urban Folk Festival (HUFF) – Live acoustic showcases and legendary songwriting sessions at iconic spots like The Carleton.
🧙‍♂️ Hal-Con – Atlantic Canada’s biggest pop-culture and cosplay celebration at the Halifax Convention Centre!
🍎 Classic Fall Hits – Apple picking in the Annapolis Valley, warm cider at Alderney Landing, and strolls through Point Pleasant Park.

💡 Quick Fall FAQ
Q: What’s the best way to experience fall foliage in Halifax?

A: Stroll through the Halifax Public Gardens in early-to-mid October, explore the coastal trails at Point Pleasant Park, or take a quick drive out to the Annapolis Valley for apple picking and breathtaking lookout views! 🍁🍎

📍 Save this post for your fall planning.

What’s your favorite thing to do in Halifax during autumn? Let us know in the comments! 💬👇


09/25/2026

The "Mom & Pop" Landlord Is a Myth in Halifax 📉 🏠

Think most rental units in Halifax are owned by friendly neighbors renting out a spare suite? Think again!

According to the Dalhousie Legal Aid Service report, "Who Owns Halifax?", professional multi-property landlords control the vast majority of rental units in the Halifax Regional Municipality (HRM).

Here is the exact percentage breakdown:

🏢 37% — Chain Landlords

💼 19% — Financial Landlords (REITs & Private Equity)

👥 13% — Multiple Owners

🛠️ 4% — Chain Managers / Third-Party Management

🤝 2% — Nonprofits & Co-ops

🏠 2% — Single Owners ("Mom-and-Pop" Landlords)

The reality? Large corporate entities and financial firms dominate Halifax’s rental housing market.

💬 What has your experience been renting in HRM? Let us know in the comments below!

🏡 Buying a home in Halifax? Don’t let trust deposits confuse you!Whether you’re eyeing a character home in the South End...
09/24/2026

🏡 Buying a home in Halifax? Don’t let trust deposits confuse you!

Whether you’re eyeing a character home in the South End, a townhouse in Bedford, or a family home in Dartmouth, here’s how real estate trust deposits work in Nova Scotia 👇

🔒 1. Where does your money go?
Your deposit doesn't go to the seller's personal account! Under Nova Scotia Real Estate Commission (NSREC) rules, funds are held safely in a neutral brokerage trust account until closing day.

💵 2. How much do you need?
In the Halifax Regional Municipality (HRM), typical resale deposits range between $1,000 and $10,000 (roughly 1%–2% of the purchase price).

💳 3. Deposit vs. Down Payment
Good news: your deposit isn't an extra fee! On closing day, the full deposit amount is credited toward your overall purchase price and down payment.

📝 4. What if the deal falls through?
If you terminate the contract under valid inspection or financing conditions, your deposit is returned to you in full. Under NSREC By-law 611, releasing those funds simply requires a signed Mutual Release from both buyer and seller.

❓ How are trust deposits handled in Nova Scotia real estate?
👉 Real estate trust deposits in Nova Scotia are regulated earnest payments held securely in a neutral brokerage trust account. They demonstrate good faith, count toward your down payment on closing, and can only be released upon completion of the sale, a signed Mutual Release by both parties, or a court order.

📲 Save this post for when you start house hunting in Halifax!

Thinking about making a move in HRM? Send us a DM or drop your questions in the comments below! 📩👇

09/23/2026

Are "mom-and-pop" landlords really the main voice in Nova Scotia’s rental market? 🏠👇

A report by Dalhousie Legal Aid Service titled "Who Owns Halifax?" analyzed over 50,000 registered residential rental units in the Halifax Regional Municipality (HRM) and uncovered who actually controls the local market.

Key Takeaways:
• 20 major landlords own and operate over 56% of the analyzed rental units in HRM.
• Single-property "mom-and-pop" investors make up under 2% of the housing stock in this dataset.
• Corporate and financialized ownership models continue to grow across Halifax, Dartmouth, and surrounding areas, raising questions about rent caps, tenant rights, and market affordability.

How has the Halifax rental market impacted your housing search? Drop your thoughts below! 💬

🛑 STOP scrolling Realtor.ca until you do this ONE thing first! 🛑Getting pre-approved for a mortgage is a huge win, but j...
09/23/2026

🛑 STOP scrolling Realtor.ca until you do this ONE thing first! 🛑

Getting pre-approved for a mortgage is a huge win, but jumping straight into house viewings without a game plan is the fastest way to end up with serious home buyer's remorse (or an overstretched budget)! 😅💸

In our latest Halifax First-Time Home Buyer Guide, we're showing you how to separate your non-negotiable NEEDS from your nice-to-have WANTS before stepping inside a single house.

Here are 3 Halifax-specific details you must decide on early:

🔥 1. Heat Source Realities

Are you okay managing oil delivery, or are ductless heat pumps a strict non-negotiable for summer AC?

🚘 2. Peninsula vs. Suburbs

Is walkability on the Halifax Peninsula worth smaller square footage, or does a larger lot in Bedford, Sackville, or Cole Harbour fit your lifestyle better?

💰 3. The Hidden Cash Reserve

Do you have funds set aside beyond your down payment for the 1.5% Halifax Deed Transfer Tax, legal fees, and home inspections?

📥 FREE DOWNLOAD FOR HALIFAX BUYERS:

Grab our free Wants vs. Needs Checklist & Worksheet to rank your dealbreakers with your partner or agent!

Send me a DM for your free worksheet!

💬 Drop a comment below: What is your #1 absolute dealbreaker when looking for a home? 👇

09/22/2026

If you're looking to buy a home in Halifax or Dartmouth this fall, you actually hold a few major advantages, if you know where to look! 🏡🍁

Here’s how to navigate the fall Halifax real estate market:

1️⃣ Spot Motivated Sellers: Properties listed in late October and November, or sitting for 30+ days, usually belong to sellers eager to close before winter. They’re much more open to negotiating terms.
2️⃣ Use Fall Weather to Your Advantage: Nova Scotia’s autumn wind and rain make it the best time to inspect gutter runoff, basement drainage, roof conditions, and window drafts before winter snow covers potential issues.
3️⃣ Get Pre-Approved Early: Lender processing times and rate cycles fluctuate. Having your pre-approval locked in early allows you to act fast when well-priced Halifax homes hit the market.

Are you planning a move to Halifax or Dartmouth this season? DM me today for local market advice or to start your home search! 📩

09/20/2026

Thinking of buying or selling a home in Halifax this fall? 🍂🏠

The fall real estate market in HRM is easily one of the most unpredictable seasons of the year.

Here is what usually happens:

The October Surge: Buyers return from summer vacations with urgency before winter weather hits, and sellers try to close deals before the holidays.

The Sudden Freeze: Shifting interest rates, economic uncertainty, or early winter weather can cause inventory to sit and buyers to freeze completely by late September.

Whether you're looking for your first home in Halifax or planning to list your current house, local timing makes all the difference.

💬 Are you planning to buy or sell before the end of the year? Drop a comment below!

Is your Halifax home hiding a silent electrical fire hazard? ⚡🏠If your house in the Greater Halifax Area, whether a Sout...
09/19/2026

Is your Halifax home hiding a silent electrical fire hazard? ⚡🏠

If your house in the Greater Halifax Area, whether a South End character home, a Dartmouth split-entry, or a Sackville build, was built or renovated between the 1960s and early 1990s, you likely have a Federal Pioneer Stab-Lok electrical panel.

While these were the industry standard across Nova Scotia for decades, independent testing shows their breakers have a dangerously high failure-to-trip rate during overloads. That means power keeps flowing even when wires overheat, creating a hidden fire risk.

Beyond the safety risk, these panels are causing real problems for HRM homeowners:

❌ Insurance Denials: Many Nova Scotia home insurance providers now refuse to issue or renew coverage until these panels are replaced.

❌ Real Estate Delays: Home inspectors frequently flag Stab-Lok panels, holding up sales or requiring last-minute replacement credits.

How to check yours: Open your panel door (don't touch any wiring!) and look for the "Federal Pioneer" label or circuit breakers with distinct red tips.

Don't wait for an electrical emergency or an insurance deadline! Send a DM and I will hook you up with an electrician who can perform a panel safety check and a free quote on upgrading your system.

09/18/2026

Planning to sell your home in HRM (Halifax Regional Municipality) this fall? 🍂 Avoid letting the market slowdown catch you off guard! Follow these 3 non-negotiable rules to attract buyers and maximize your home's value before winter:

1) Master Fall Curb Appeal: Clear wet leaves from walkways to eliminate slipping hazards and keep all interior and exterior lights on for afternoon viewings.

2) Sharp Pricing Over Speculative Pricing: Don't test the market with an inflated price in September. Overpricing leads to forced price cuts by November when buyer activity bottoms out.

3) Highlight Heating & Energy Efficiency: HRM buyers prioritize utility costs. Feature heat pumps, mini-splits, or serviced furnaces front and center on your spec sheets.

What's your biggest concern about selling this fall? Drop your questions in the comments! 👇

Are you house hunting or planning to sell in Nova Scotia? 🏠Here is something every buyer and seller needs to know before...
09/18/2026

Are you house hunting or planning to sell in Nova Scotia? 🏠

Here is something every buyer and seller needs to know before signing an agreement: A single real estate agent cannot represent both sides of a deal.

Why? Because representing opposing financial goals creates an unavoidable conflict of interest. 🛑

Think about it:

🏷️ The Seller wants the maximum price and fewest conditions.

📉 The Buyer wants the lowest price and maximum protections.

One agent simply can't offer 100% loyalty and strategic negotiation advice to both parties at the same time. That’s why the Nova Scotia Real Estate Commission (NSREC) outlawed traditional dual agency across the province.

How representation actually works in NS today:
🔹 Designated Agency: The gold standard! You get your own dedicated agent who owes 100% fiduciary duty exclusively to you—even if the buyer or seller is using another agent from the same brokerage.

🔹 Unrepresented Party (Customer): One party gets full agent representation and advice, while the other side handles their own end without an agent.

🔹 Transaction Brokerage: A rare option where the agent steps back to become a neutral facilitator, strictly handling paperwork with zero negotiation advice given to either side.

Whether you're shopping for a condo in downtown Halifax, searching for a family home in Dartmouth, or selling a property in the Annapolis Valley, working with a dedicated representative guarantees your interests come first! 📍

💬 Have you ever dealt with a dual agency situation when moving? Drop your thoughts or questions below!

Address

102/610 Wright Avenue
Halifax, NS
B3B0H8

Telephone

+19024104331

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Zach Surette Real Estate posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Business

Send a message to Zach Surette Real Estate:

Shortcuts

Share

Category