SOUTH SHORE HOUSING MARKET 'UNPREDICTABLE'

More properties are being listed on the South Shore real estate market as the cost of owning a home in Canada continues to increase.

And one local real estate agent is noticing some fluctuations in the housing market.

Exit Realty agent, Gary Mailman says increased taxation by municipalities and decreased lending by local banks is making for some concerned customers.

"Buyers are, this year especially, have been very cautious when making a purchase. They really are doing their homework which is good. They're very careful not to overpay, " says Mailman.

Mailman says he had a rough start to the year but his business has picked up.

According to the Nova Scotia Association of Realtors, both South Shore home listings and prices are up about 5 percent from last year while sales in our region are up 10 percent from 2009.

Mailman says you would need a crystal ball to predict how the market will fare in the future.