Should I leave lights on for showings?
Should I leave lights on for showings? Read this and sell faster.
Turn On the Lights, Get the Offer: Why Leaving Lights On for Showings Sells Homes Faster
Short answer: Yes — when you do it the right way. If you’re selling while still living in your Georgetown, Ontario home, leaving lights on for showings is one of the smallest moves that produces outsized returns. Do it wrong and you waste money and create bad photos. Do it right and your listing looks warm, safe, and move-in ready.
This guide gives a tight, actionable plan you can execute tonight. It’s written for Georgetown sellers who want offers, not opinions.
Why lights matter more than you think
- First impressions are immediate. Buyers decide in seconds. A bright, consistent home reads as cared-for and safe. A dim, shadowy home reads as neglected.
- Photos set expectations. MLS and social photos that match in-person lighting reduce disappointment and reduce the chance buyers skip your showing.
- Emotional triggers. Warm, even lighting makes rooms feel larger, cleaner, and more welcoming. Buyers pay emotionally — then justify with numbers.
- Local reality check: Georgetown buyers compare homes to well-presented properties in Halton Hills and nearby GTA towns. A well-lit home stands out in online searches.
The cost myth busted
Worried about the electric bill? Don’t. Running a few LED bulbs for a handful of showings adds cents, not dollars. Typical example:
- 10 LED bulbs at 9W each = 90W. Running 3 hours = 0.27 kWh. At Ontario rates (~$0.20/kWh blended), that’s $0.05 per showing. Even with multiple showings, the cost is negligible compared to a price reduction or extra days on market.
It’s not about the cost — it’s about the perception and the offer you’ll get.
When to leave lights on — the smart rules
- Evening or dusk showings: Turn everything on. Buyers drive in, park, and want a warm welcome.
- Rainy, overcast, or short daylight days (common in Georgetown winters): Turn on lights for daytime showings too.
- Photography day: Your listing photos should match in-person lighting. Schedule a midday shoot for natural light and add warm lamps for depth.
- Vacant hours: If the home is shown infrequently during bright daytime, you can be selective. But always ensure the main living spaces look intentionally lit.
The exact lighting plan that sells (do this now)
- Start with an exterior: porch light and pathway lights on at dusk. Curb appeal matters — buyers form opinions before they open the door.
- Entryway and main staircase: Lights on, even if you only show the main floor. Make the first view pop.
- Living room and dining room: Lamps + overhead. Use soft warm tones (2700K–3000K). Avoid harsh cool light.
- Kitchen: Bright but clean. Under-cabinet or pendant lights on. Buyers scrutinize kitchens.
- Master bedroom: Soft lamps on. Overhead lights off if they’re harsh. Create a calm mood.
- Bathrooms: Lights on, vanity light included. Mirrors reflect light and make rooms feel bigger.
- Basement and lower levels: Illuminate, even if buyers don’t go there immediately. Shadows make basements feel unfinished.
Do not leave on a single glaring overhead light that washes out detail. Aim for layered lighting: overhead + lamps + accent.
Quick hacks for sellers living in the home
- Use smart bulbs or timers. Set scenes: “Show” mode turns on the right lights at the right brightness.
- Keep a labelled binder or checklist for your showing routine. You should be able to flip it in 30 seconds.
- If you can’t be present, tell your agent exactly which switches to flip. Put sticky notes on the fixtures used for showings.
- Plug-in floor lamps are cheap and instantly improve mood lighting.
- Replace flickering or dim bulbs. Buyers notice small defects.
Photography and virtual tours — match them
If your MLS photos were taken bright and airy, make the home equally bright for showings. If the photos are moody, don’t shock buyers with an over-lit space. Consistency reduces friction and increases offers.
Tip: Schedule photos at the golden hour for exterior shots. Inside, combine natural light with warm lamps to create depth.
Safety and security considerations
- Avoid leaving interior doors unlocked just because lights are on. Use a lockbox and clear instructions to the agent.
- Don’t advertise that the home is always lit; avoid listing specifics that might invite opportunists. Treat lights as a selling tactic, not an open invitation.
- If you have smart home cameras, keep them active and inform your agent. Buyers appreciate privacy transparency.
Seasonal notes for Georgetown sellers
- Winter: Short days and early dusk — lights are essential. Exterior pathway lighting is critical when driveways are wet or snowy.
- Spring/Fall: Use a mix of natural light and lamps. Buyers will be out enjoying neighborhoods; make your home feel like an extension of that lifestyle.
- Summer: Daytime showings may rely on cross-ventilation and natural light. Still, turn on lamps to highlight staging at dusk.
What buyers actually react to in Georgetown
- Warmth: A home that looks ready to live in wins over a blank canvas. Buyers here often move from city apartments and crave instant comfort.
- Safety and maintenance: Bright, well-kept lighting signals no deferred maintenance.
- Neighborhood alignment: Georgetown buyers compare for value and readiness. Stand out by being move-in ready.
Avoid these common mistakes
- Too bright / too cool: Harsh white light kills mood. Swap cool fluorescents for warm LEDs.
- Mismatched color temps: Don’t mix warm bedside lamps with cool overheads. Consistency matters in photos and in-person.
- Ignoring exteriors: A dark porch or walkway kills curb appeal fast.
- Forgetting small details: Burnt out bulbs, dirty lampshades, and cobwebs around fixtures are subtle deal-killers.
One-minute showing checklist for sellers
- Exterior lights on at dusk.
- Porch and entry on; main floor lamps on.
- Kitchen and bathroom lights on; no clutter on counters.
- Bedrooms: soft lamps, overhead off if harsh.
- Quick safety: lock valuables; leave clear access.
Do this every showing. It takes 60–120 seconds.
Why this matters for price and time on market
Buyers are comparing dozens of listings on their phones. The ones that look cared for online and in person attract stronger offers and sell faster. The cost of lighting is trivial. The cost of a price reduction or a longer market time is not.
If you want fewer rounds of lowball offers and faster closing, small investments in lighting and staging pay back directly.
Sell while living in the home: a final framework
- Stage: declutter, clean, and place lamps in key rooms.
- Light: follow the exact lighting plan above for all showings.
- Match: ensure photos, virtual tours, and in-person look the same.
- Execute: have a checklist and use timers or smart bulbs.
Do these four steps, and your house will look like the one buyers want to live in the moment they step inside.
About the local expert
Tony Sousa is a Georgetown real estate expert who helps sellers get top offers while living in their homes. He focuses on practical tactics that drive results — not vanity projects. For staging, lighting plans, and a showing checklist tailored to your property, contact him:
- Email: tony@sousasells.ca
- Phone: 416-477-2620
- Website: https://www.sousasells.ca
FAQ — Selling While Living in the Home (Georgetown, Ontario)
Should I leave lights on for daytime showings?
Yes if the weather is overcast or rooms feel dim. Natural light is great, but layered lighting prevents dark corners and improves photos.
Does leaving lights on make my house look staged?
Yes. Intentional lighting makes the home feel lived-in and cared for. Use lamps and overheads to create a balanced look.
Won’t lights attract thieves or signal the house is empty?
No — properly managed lighting (timers, smart bulbs, and occupied behavior) makes the home look lived-in. Always secure valuables and use a lockbox.
What bulbs should I use?
Warm LEDs (2700K–3000K) with consistent color temperature across rooms. Use 60W-equivalent LED bulbs for general rooms and brighter LEDs in kitchens and bathrooms.
How much will this add to my energy bill?
Almost nothing. A typical showing adds cents in electricity. The benefit to buyer perception far outweighs the cost.
Should I leave exterior lights on for evening showings?
Yes. Pathway and porch lights improve curb appeal and safety, especially on wet or snowy nights.
What if I can’t be home to turn lights on?
Use smart bulbs, timers, or instruct your agent which switches to use. Label switches if needed.
Do virtual tours need different lighting than in-person showings?
Yes. Virtual tours should be bright and even. Match virtual tour lighting to in-person showings to avoid buyer disappointment.
How do I make the house feel warm without spending much?
Swap in table lamps, clean fixtures, use warm LED bulbs, and ensure the entryway and living room are well lit.
Will good lighting help sell faster in Georgetown?
Yes. Georgetown buyers compare listings across Halton Hills and the GTA. A well-lit, staged home appears higher value and sells faster.
Want a customized lighting and showing plan for your Georgetown home? Contact Tony for a free walkthrough and checklist that reduces market time and increases offers.
Email: tony@sousasells.ca | Call: 416-477-2620 | https://www.sousasells.ca
