'Tis the season: What to consider if you’re selling your apartment or house in winter
- Focus on making your space light and bright by holding showings during peak daylight hours
- Clear the entry way, minimize holiday decorations, and keep the cinnamon scents in check
A working fireplace can be a selling point in winter, a feature at this three-bedroom prewar co-op on Park Avenue, listed for $3.795 million.
The winter months aren't typically the prime time to sell your New York City apartment. The long-accepted guidance is to wait to list until spring, when it's brighter and warmer, to coax buyers out of their hibernations. But what if you need or want to sell right away?
"There can be some upsides to selling now—namely, your home will be one of the few on the market, and there will always be motivated buyers who equally need to find their new home," said Aaron Tetzlaff, an agent at Coldwell Banker Warburg.
Guy Hobson, another agent at Coldwell Banker Warburg, agreed. "People do not generally like to move during the winter months, so typically anyone looking is more inclined to buy. They are not just window shopping," he said.
If you can afford to hold off for a few weeks, Abigail Palanca, a broker at SERHANT, noted that the spring selling season starts earlier every year.
"People are excited to 'spring clean' and 'spring list.' In real estate, spring is in February. Ideally, I always like to have our marketing materials ready to go as early into the new year as possible so that when the perfect time strikes, we are prepared to list," she said.
As in any season, your priority is to get your apartment seen by as many qualified buyers as possible. Once you do, your next goal is to avoid turning them off with overdone holiday decorations and closets full of winter gear.
To help you sell your apartment in the winter, we've asked NYC brokers to share the advice they are giving sellers right now. Read on for some practical considerations.
[Editor's note: An earlier version of this post was previously published in December 2024. We are presenting it with updated information for December 2025.]
Make it light and bright
The lack of natural light is one of the most critical concerns for buyers, Palanco said, making it the biggest challenge in winter viewings.
Adjina Dekidjiev, a broker at Coldwell Banker Warburg, stressed the need to show the home during peak daylight hours, mid-morning to early afternoon.
It's worth investing in a few simple improvements, too. "Bright paint and great lighting definitely make a difference when selling a home during the winter months," Hobson said.
According to Daniel Blatman, a broker at Compass, "Some colors, like Linen White, might work in the bright summer, but oddly, come across as an old yellow in the low light of winter. That makes the space look tired and in need of a renovation.A very light blue or green, or Decorators White with some gray, works better as they can brighten rooms in winter. "
He also sometimes suggests applying reflective paint to a ceiling, along with uplighting, to help light bounce around the space.
Jennifer Dorfman, managing director of sales at real estate firm Modern Spaces, said whites, creams, or very soft pastels—especially in satin or eggshell finishes—for walls, ceilings, and trim will have the same effect. Incorporating mirrors, glass, and metallic finishes can also help amplify light. (Read: "What's the best shade of white to paint your NYC apartment if you're trying to sell?" for more expert tips.)
Tetzlaff, a former architectural/interior designer, said lighting is key year-round, but particularly in winter. He recommended LED lighting in the 2700-3000 Kelvin range, which produces a warm, soft light. "Anything cooler or brighter than that should be replaced—trust me on this."
Keep decorations and scents in check
Brian Letendre, a broker at BOND New York, recommended going easy on festive decor and fragrances, both of which can be off-putting—a sentiment shared by every broker Brick spoke to.
"Go ahead with taking pictures, which I often send to virtual staging providers; those can be tidied up," he said. "But I would minimize holiday decorations so potential buyers can see themselves in the space."
Palanca likes to take photos before the decorations go up. "Nothing dates a listing quite like a Christmas tree, though technology is a great thing, and luckily, we can photoshop out your holiday decor."
Both Dekidjiev and Tetzlaff recommended using muted colors rather than the usual bold reds and metallics.
"Keep it as simple and pared back as possible, sticking with natural basics like holly, boxwood, pine, or cedar wreaths and garlands," Tetzlaff said. "You need potential buyers to arrive and imagine the home with their own holiday traditions and tastes on display."
On the other hand, Julie Gans, an agent at Compass, encouraged not getting too hung up on whether your trimmings will affect a sale. In other words, enjoy your holiday season with your home decorated as you would like.
"Don't worry about decorations and Christmas trees—they add beauty to the listing. Once the holidays are over, you can re-shoot the apartment if you want, without all the decorations," she explained.
Decorations or not, Gans recommended sticking with a neutral scent. "Avoid anything super cinnamon or pine; light, fresh, and clean is what you want. Using diffusers is a good tip."
Make sure the entryway is clear
Cold weather brings lots of space-hogging gear, which can be a real eyesore for buyers.
As Tetzlaff pointed out, the front hall and mudroom are the most affected in winter—and the first impressions of your home. "A potential buyer should be able to pass through them without brushing against coats or tripping over salt-encrusted snowboots," he said. "It also looks great upon entering if there is a bench or chair for removing their shoes or boots and a spare hook for hanging their coat."
Relatedly, Kobi Lahav, senior managing director at Living NY, suggested placing a coat rack outside the apartment to store coats during a showing, making sure to clear it with your neighbors. The same goes for putting kids' bikes and sleds in the hall or stairwell. "You should also entertain the dog in the lobby or laundry room," he said.
Create a cozy environment
Elizabeth Kohen, co-owner of Garfield Realty, recommended keeping homes warm and inviting, ideally at around 72 degrees.
"If you are fortunate enough to have a fireplace, it should be lit for showings. Any snow should be shoveled from walkways, and steps should be cleared and salted. Winter staging decor, like faux fur blankets and fresh, fluffy pillows, can go a long way toward creating a cozy, welcoming feeling that buyers desire," she said.
Given that views don't matter as much in winter, Blatman advised bringing the focus inside, such as with a fresh coat of paint. A tall (real or fake) plant can also bring attention and life into the apartment when it's dark and cold outside.
"There is something about adding greenery—even a little goes a long way," Palanca said. In her experience, details like live plants in photography can cause a potential buyer to linger on the listing a bit longer, even swaying their opinion and prompting them to make an appointment.
Tetzlaff is another proponent of using seasonal plants at open houses, leaning into large displays of white orchids, or tucking paperwhites and other forced bulbs on shelves.
"If you're looking for a showstopper, I bring in Festalis Ismene [also known as] Peruvian daffodil or spider lily. It's a rare sculptural plant with a soft but enigmatic fragrance somewhere between citrus and vanilla," she said, adding, "When in doubt, check out your local florist for other single-color arrangements in paler, more muted palettes."
The right lighting can also make an impact. Tetzlaff emphasized, "Never, ever turning on the overhead lighting." Instead, to create cozy, intimate spaces, he opts for table and floor lamps and places indoor uplighting in a corner or behind plants or sculptures to add drama and make the space feel special.
Dorfman also suggested using warm, ambient lighting with multiple sources (e.g., floor lamps, table lamps, and wall sconces), adding dimmers to adjust brightness levels as needed.
"If the apartment has radiant heated floors, showcase that in the marketing materials," she noted. Otherwise, "add an area rug to create warmth, especially in spaces that are tiled."
Highlight outdoor spaces
Don't forget to stage private balconies, terraces, or backyards to be ultra comfy and inviting.
"Potted evergreen shrubs and small trees are very effective for staging in colder months and a fantastic way to bring life and vibrancy to outdoor spaces during winter," Dorfman saed. She particularly likes using boxwoods, junipers, and dwarf spruces to add structure and greenery that lasts through the season.
Prioritize the virtual tour
Even a little snow can deter what was set to be a great open house, Palanco said. "Gray days can also make a difference in a buyer's first impression of an unfamiliar neighborhood."
That's why Seth Levin, a broker at Keller Williams NYC, stressed the importance of the virtual tour in winter, when buyers might be less inclined to venture out in nasty weather.
What's more, "now are the shortest days of the year, and kids are often home during the day, so viewing might need to happen in the late afternoon or evening. That means the virtual tour and photography need to be filmed when it is bright outside because buyers are going to be turning to that."
—Earlier versions of this article contained reporting and writing by Emily Myers.
You Might Also Like
