Nova Scotia buyer resources

Buying a home in Nova Scotia.

Programs, taxes and fees, licence checks and land titles for Nova Scotia, from official government and regulator pages.

First-time buyer programs

Each card links to an official government or regulator page, checked one by one.

First-time buyers
Down Payment Assistance Program, Nova Scotia
Nova Scotia's Down Payment Assistance Program offers first-time buyers who pre-qualify for an insured mortgage an interest-free loan of 5% of the purchase price, repayable over 10 years.
Visit novascotia.ca
Reviewed October 5, 2026
First-time buyers
First Home Savings Account (FHSA), federal
The federal First Home Savings Account lets first-time buyers save tax-free toward a qualifying first home; participation room is $8,000 in the first year.
Visit canada.ca
Reviewed October 5, 2026
First-time buyers
Home Buyers' Plan (HBP), federal
The federal Home Buyers' Plan lets you withdraw up to $60,000 from your RRSPs to buy or build a qualifying home.
Visit canada.ca
Reviewed October 5, 2026
First-time buyers
First-Time Home Buyers' Tax Credit (home buyers' amount, line 31270), federal
The federal home buyers' amount is a non-refundable tax credit for first-time buyers; you can claim up to $10,000 for a qualifying home bought in 2025.
Visit canada.ca
Reviewed October 5, 2026

Taxes and fees
Municipal Deed Transfer Tax, Nova Scotia
Each Nova Scotia municipality sets its own deed transfer tax rate, based on the sale price; Land Registry collects it, and buyers file an Affidavit of Value.
Visit novascotia.ca
Reviewed October 5, 2026
Taxes and fees
Non-resident Provincial Deed Transfer Tax, Nova Scotia
Nova Scotia also applies a provincial deed transfer tax when non-residents acquire qualifying residential property; the rate rose from 5% to 10% on April 1, 2025.
Visit novascotia.ca
Reviewed October 5, 2026

Check a licence
Nova Scotia Real Estate Commission and licensee search
The Nova Scotia Real Estate Commission regulates the province's real estate industry; its online licensee search confirms whether a person or brokerage is licensed to trade.
Visit nsrec.ns.ca
Reviewed October 5, 2026
Land titles
Land Registration Offices and Property Online
Nova Scotia's Land Registration Offices register property transactions; Property Online, a subscriber service, gives online access to ownership information and property maps for the whole province.
Visit novascotia.ca
Reviewed October 5, 2026