Are out-of-province buyers welcome in Nova Scotia?

Yes — Canadian buyers from other provinces face no provincial barrier (the federal foreign-buyer ban applies only to non-Canadians). Out-of-province purchases in Halifax have been a major demand driver since 2020. We handle remote closings for out-of-province buyers regularly.

Is East Coast Credit Union a good mortgage option in NS?

Yes — East Coast Credit Union is one of Atlantic Canada's largest financial cooperatives with competitive Nova Scotia mortgage rates and often more flexible qualification for self-employed and rural-property files. We compare them on every applicable NS file.

Which Nova Scotia areas have the strongest investor demand?

Halifax Regional Municipality (especially the downtown and Bedford/Clayton Park areas) sees the bulk of NS investor activity. Lunenburg, Wolfville, and South Shore tourist-economy properties also see short-term-rental investor files. Cape Breton remains affordable but with thinner financing options.

Nova ScotiaLive ratesUpdated Jul 11, 2026

Nova Scotia mortgage rates.

Atlantic Canada's largest mortgage market, anchored by Halifax with strong in-migration from Ontario and BC pushing prices up over the past 5 years.

5-star rated| FSRA #13737| 50+ languages

Best Nova Scotia rates

Updated Jul 11, 2026

5-yr fixed

4.19%

5-yr variable

3.60%

3-yr fixed

4.19%

2-yr fixed

4.14%

Lock in my Nova Scotia rate

Which lender will approve you?

Tell Maya your situation, or tap what fits to see the lenders that typically qualify it.

Or filter by your situation

Check if you qualify Speak to Maya Call Maya

Live · updated Jul 8, 2026

Lowest offer per term across 100+ lenders

Filter

Lender

Term

Type

Rate

Apply

Peoples Bank Best

Bank

5-yr

Variable

3.60%APR 3.60% · $2,826/mo

Apply now

Peoples Bank Best

5-yr · Variable

3.60%

APR 3.60% · $2,826/mo

Apply now

Marathon Mortgage Corp

Monoline Broker-only

0.5-yr

Fixed

3.64%APR 3.64% · $2,837/mo

Apply now

Marathon Mortgage Corp

0.5-yr · Fixed Broker-only

3.64%

APR 3.64% · $2,837/mo

Apply now

Radius Financial

Monoline Broker-only

3-yr

Variable

3.65%APR 3.65% · $2,840/mo

Apply now

Radius Financial

3-yr · Variable Broker-only

3.65%

APR 3.65% · $2,840/mo

Apply now

Scotiabank

Bank

2-yr

Fixed

4.14%APR 4.14% · $2,988/mo

Apply now

Scotiabank

2-yr · Fixed

4.14%

APR 4.14% · $2,988/mo

Apply now

Peoples Bank

Bank

3-yr

Fixed

4.19%APR 4.19% · $3,004/mo

Apply now

Peoples Bank

3-yr · Fixed

4.19%

APR 4.19% · $3,004/mo

Apply now

Marathon Mortgage Corp

Monoline Broker-only

5-yr

Fixed

4.19%APR 4.19% · $3,004/mo

Apply now

Marathon Mortgage Corp

5-yr · Fixed Broker-only

4.19%

APR 4.19% · $3,004/mo

Apply now

Peoples Bank

Bank

4-yr

Fixed

4.29%APR 4.29% · $3,034/mo

Apply now

Peoples Bank

4-yr · Fixed

4.29%

APR 4.29% · $3,034/mo

Apply now

First National

Alternate Broker-only

1-yr

Fixed

4.69%APR 4.69% · $3,159/mo

Apply now

First National

1-yr · Fixed Broker-only

4.69%

APR 4.69% · $3,159/mo

Apply now

Home Trust

Alternate Broker-only

6-yr

Fixed

4.79%APR 4.79% · $3,190/mo

Apply now

Home Trust

6-yr · Fixed Broker-only

4.79%

APR 4.79% · $3,190/mo

Apply now

Scotiabank

Bank

7-yr

Fixed

5.10%APR 5.10% · $3,289/mo

Apply now

Scotiabank

7-yr · Fixed

5.10%

APR 5.10% · $3,289/mo

Apply now

TD Canada Trust

Bank

10-yr

Fixed

5.34%APR 5.34% · $3,366/mo

Apply now

TD Canada Trust

10-yr · Fixed

5.34%

APR 5.34% · $3,366/mo

Apply now

Est. payment shown on a $700,000 home, 20% down, 25-yr amortization. Rates updated daily. O.A.C., E.&O.E.

Get my exact rate

Nova Scotia rates by term

Compare the best Nova Scotia rate for each term — fixed and variable.

5-Year Fixed 5-Year Variable 3-Year Fixed 3-Year Variable 2-Year Fixed 1-Year Fixed 4-Year Fixed 7-Year Fixed 10-Year Fixed

Benchmark price

$465,000

Nova Scotia provincial average · 2026

Nova Scotia Deed Transfer Tax

Municipal — set by each Nova Scotia municipality. Halifax Regional Municipality charges 1.5%; most other municipalities charge 1.0%–1.5%. Confirm with the specific municipality before closing.

Nova Scotia does not currently offer a first-time buyer Deed Transfer Tax rebate.

Halifax-area municipalities also charge Deed Transfer Tax at the municipal level (not provincial) — confirm with your lawyer the exact rate for the municipality you're buying in.

Regulator

Service Nova Scotia (Real Estate Registrar)

Official site →

Top Nova Scotia lenders

RBCScotiabankTDEast Coast Credit UnionMCAPFirst National

Why Nova Scotia rates work the way they do

Nova Scotia has seen the strongest price growth in Atlantic Canada (driven by Ontario/BC in-migration to Halifax during 2020-2023). Halifax now sees Big-6 + monoline competition similar to mid-size Ontario markets; rural NS files often go through credit unions or alt-lenders.

Foreign-buyer rules: Federal foreign-buyer ban applies through 2027. Nova Scotia introduced a Non-Resident Deed Transfer Tax (5%) in 2022 but partially withdrew it; current applicability is narrow — check with your lawyer.

Mortgage brokers in Nova Scotia

Same FSRA license, same 100+ lender network — applied to each Nova Scotia market.

All Nova Scotia cities →

Today’s rate read · Nova Scotia

AI-generated from the live board · live feed · as of 2026-07-08T18:32:32.494Z

Maya

4.19%

5-yr fixed

3.60%

5-yr variable

5.95%

Lender prime

4.25%

BoC overnight

The best 5-year fixed mortgage rate is currently 4.19%, while the best 5-year variable rate is 3.60%, indicating that fixed rates are higher by 59 basis points compared to variable rates. The lender's prime rate is 5.95%, influenced by the Bank of Canada's overnight rate at 4.25%, which shows a downward trend, suggesting potential future changes in borrowing costs.

Estimates only — your rate depends on your file. FSRA #13737.

Ask Maya about Nova Scotia mortgage rates

Instant answers · 50+ languages · no credit pull

Estimates only — a licensed advisor confirms your file. FSRA #13737.Open full chat

FAQ

Nova Scotia mortgage rates — common questions.

Don’t see yours? Ask Maya — instant answer in 50+ languages.

Approximately $9,000 (1.5% on the full purchase price). Halifax is one of the highest municipal deed transfer rates in Atlantic Canada. Other NS municipalities like Cape Breton Regional Municipality charge 1.0% (~$6,000 on the same property).

Rates in other provinces

Same broker, every province — pick yours.

National rate table →

Ontario British Columbia Alberta Quebec Manitoba Saskatchewan New Brunswick Newfoundland and Labrador Prince Edward Island

Lock in your best Nova Scotia rate today.

5-minute pre-qualification. No credit check to begin. Your dedicated Nova Scotia advisor responds within the next business hour.