Winter can impact the buyer experience in New York City. Weather affects certain market segments, and in general, harsher conditions can slow activity. That said, serious buyers remain active and aren’t deterred by the season. This winter’s extreme cold caught many off guard, and snow and ice buildup made getting around more challenging, by car and especially on foot. Navigating from the street to the sidewalk after a drop-off can be difficult, particularly mid-block, where there may be piles of snow that haven’t been cleared. Shorter daylight hours also limit evening showings. Most apartments present best during the day, so buyers interested in assessing natural light may need to take time off work or schedule weekend visits. There is, however, a seasonal upside: with the sun sitting lower in the sky, lower-floor, south-facing apartments can benefit from improved light exposure during winter months. I like to schedule showings to capture the best natural light and will proactively guide buyers and agents on the easiest way to access a property. In snowy conditions, suggesting a drop-off at the nearest corner — where crosswalks are typically clearer — can make the walk to a midblock entrance safer and more manageable.

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Barbara Russo
Douglas Elliman
THE 74

In my decades of experience selling luxury real estate, the buyers who are shopping for a home on the Upper East Side in the winter are serious and know exactly what they want. Oftentimes they are motivated to move in before the summer starts so they can get settled in before the fall. Winter buyers want a move-in ready home, which makes THE 74 all the more appealing.

Despite this being the snowiest winter in years and absolutely freezing cold, we are still touring buyers at THE 74. Winter is a perfect time to show off views of Central Park, especially from our full-floor residences. I always look forward to the aha moment when my buyer looks out over the whole north-to-south expanse of the park and realizes how magnificent the view is. It often sparks a conversation about experiencing all four seasons in New York. The seasonality adds another layer of charm to the Upper East Side.

If a buyer doesn’t currently live in the neighborhood, I’ll also encourage them to grab a hot cup of coffee and a pastry at Breads Bakery across the street or have dinner at one of the many iconic restaurants within just a couple of blocks. Winter is so very cozy in this neighborhood, it’s really quite special.

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