As we have discussed in the past, house listings are at or close to an all-time high. WOWA says inventory is at an unprecedented high and reports a 39% increase in listings annually from February 2024 to February 2025. The number of sales, however, have decreased 26.7% from this time last year and 4% from this time last month. This shows that, likely due to such high prices and market/ political uncertainty, people either can’t or don’t want to enter the market. For sellers, the longer listing periods and fewer bidders are likely discouraging. Today, let’s talk about what sellers should do and the most popular ways to attract buyers.&nbsp;Several factors can explain why sellers are having a hard time. RE/MAX says many cities across Canada are in a housing shortage and the listings are going up. The issue is that the number of affordable and suitable housing does not match where there is the greatest demand. With house prices still high, it remains favourable for sellers but not favourable enough for buyers. It seems that the likelihood of something being wrong with your property specifically is less than the likelihood the general condition of the housing market is unattractive to buyers. RE/MAX mentions that there are certain selling tactics that may repel buyers, however, there are things that may truly be outside your control. With the upcoming tariffs and general state of uncertainty, it’s no wonder buyers aren’t jumping out of their seats to make you an offer. It’s true that timing is important for buyers and it’s something that isn’t always within your control. While economic conditions don’t improve overnight, RE/MAX talks about how real estate has buying and selling seasons on a smaller scale. Late spring and early summer are when buyers come out of their winter buying hibernation. Though economic conditions won’t change in such a way, things usually look a bit better when winter is over. The key for sellers is to be ready for this.There may be other things that are in your control. One of these things is how your listing looks. One tactic is home staging. It’s easier to imagine a space as a home when it looks like one. RE/MAX says that for this reason, staged houses sell better, faster, and for 5% more than unstaged houses. Not only does it help people visualize the space in a way consistent with what a home is, but it can hide imperfections or bring attention to better features. Similar to staging are listing photos. Research indicates that 85% of buyers say photos are the most important factor in deciding which homes to view. Their best tips are to stage the home, clean up the yard, and paint doors or other things that could use a touch up. When taking the photos, use a wide-angle lens and make sure you have the perfect lighting. You should also take a variety of shots from various angles, get as much of the property as possible, and list the photos in a way that would make the most sense to a viewer – for example a walk through the house starting from the front door. Video or virtual reality tours are also smart ideas. Finally, while you want to make the property look its best, you don’t want to be dishonest. While it can be shocking to arrive to a first date with someone who looks nothing like their online photos, the same disappointment follows from a house. The buyer’s reaction may in fact be to walk away without giving the property a chance. They can conclude: “if they’re trying to hide the obvious, what else are they hiding that I can’t see?” It is essential to sure you’re enhancing your property, not distorting it.Aside from your listing, there are notable property trends that have been attracting buyers. Kiplinger names a number of focal points including patios, laundry rooms, outdoor lighting, front porches, hardwood floors, walk-in kitchen pantries, and nice landscaping potential. When all else is equal, highlighting these areas can tip things in your favour.Whether you decide to wait out the uncertainty or take advantage of current high prices, there are always tactics to put the ball in your court as a seller. Demand may have slowed, temporarily, but there are always needs and if you’re ready, you’ll be front of line.

Attracting Buyers in a Slow Market: How to Stand Out When Listings Surge

As we have discussed in the past, house listings are at or close to an all-time high. WOWA says inventory is at an unprecedented high and reports a 39% increase in listings annually from February 2024 to February 2025. The number of sales, however, have decreased 26.7% from this time last year and 4% from this time last month. This shows that, likely due to such high prices and market/ political uncertainty, people either can’t or don’t want to enter the market. For sellers, the longer listing periods and fewer bidders are likely discouraging. Today, let’s talk about what sellers should do and the most popular ways to attract buyers. 

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