Your Home Will Be Shown in the Dark. Here’s How to Make That Work.

Clocks go back on Sunday, November 1. Which means from next week on, a lot of showings are going to happen when it’s already getting dark.

That’s not a problem. It’s a planning item.

Most sellers spend hours on staging and zero minutes thinking about what the home looks like at 5:15pm in November. Buyers walking up to your front door in the dark are forming a first impression fast. Dim entry, burnt-out bulb, dark path? That impression is “this house is neglected.”

Here’s the dark-showing checklist I give every seller in Oakland, Berkeley, Alameda and San Leandro: 1. Replace every bulb, and match the color temperature. Warm and consistent beats a mismatched mess. 2. Light the path and entry. Cheap solar path lights and a working porch light make a big difference. 3. Turn on every light before a showing. Every room. Every closet. Yes, the weird hallway. 4. Warm the house. A cold home feels like a bad home. Set the thermostat before they arrive. 5. Clean the windows. Dark glass shows every smudge. Reflections are unforgiving.

There’s also a rate update arriving this week. The Fed’s meeting wraps up today, and I’ll tell you what I tell every seller… don’t price based on a headline. Price based on what the buyer’s monthly payment looks like.

One more thing for condo sellers. Hallways and common areas matter at night too. If the lobby bulb is out, tell your HOA before showings.