Timing Is Everything: How the Start of Daylight Saving Time Changes Your Real Estate Advantage

Posted by MaxWell Realty Admin on Saturday, March 8th, 2025  7:04pm.

Spring Forward: How Daylight Saving Time Creates New Real Estate Opportunities

March 08, 2025 | By Ron Alfred De Guzman, Communications Manager at MaxWell Realty

A Canadian Tradition That Brightens Your Home Buying and Selling Experience

Did you know that Canada made history as the birthplace of Daylight Saving Time? On July 1, 1908, Port Arthur, Ontario (now Thunder Bay) became the world's first location to implement this time-shifting practice.1 Over a century later, this Canadian innovation continues to impact our daily lives—and creates unique opportunities in the real estate market.

At MaxWell Realty, we understand that timing can make all the difference in your real estate journey. As we prepare for the clock change in 2025, let's explore how those extra daylight hours can work to your advantage whether you're buying, selling, or just curious about the market.

When Does Daylight Saving Time Begin in 2025?

Mark your calendars: Daylight Saving Time begins on Sunday, March 9, 2025, at 2:00 AM local time across most of Canada. This is when we "spring forward" one hour, shifting our clocks to 3:00 AM and extending daylight into our evening hours.2

Regional considerations: While most provinces observe DST, there are exceptions:

RegionObserves DST?
Alberta Yes
British Columbia Yes (except some areas)
Yukon No
Saskatchewan Mostly No
Québec (east of 63° W) No

3

As a 100% Canadian-owned brokerage, MaxWell Realty agents understand these regional differences—a crucial detail when coordinating real estate transactions across different provinces.

How The Start of DST Transforms Real Estate Opportunities

Extended Viewing Hours

The additional evening daylight creates significant advantages for property showings:

  • Evening viewings become more practical with sunlight extending until 7-8 PM
  • Weekend open houses can run later, accommodating more potential buyers
  • Properties with outdoor features benefit from natural light showcasing4

Our MaxWell REALTORS® strategically schedule showings to capitalize on these extended daylight hours, helping you see more properties or showcase your home to more potential buyers.

Market Activity Acceleration

The beginning of DST traditionally signals a shift in real estate momentum:

  • Increased buyer engagement: Spring typically brings more active buyers to the market
  • More competitive listing environment: Sellers can benefit from heightened interest
  • Seasonal price adjustments: Market activity often correlates with modest price increases5

Property Presentation Advantages

The additional natural light creates distinct presentation benefits:

  • Gardens and landscaping begin their spring revival
  • Natural light showcases interior spaces more effectively
  • Longer evenings allow better evaluation of neighborhood atmosphere and streetscape

Our MaxWell agents leverage these seasonal advantages when marketing your property, ensuring buyers see your home in its best light—literally.

The Canadian Legacy of Daylight Saving Time

While Benjamin Franklin first proposed the concept in 1784, it was Canadian innovation that brought Daylight Saving Time to life. Port Arthur, Ontario made history by implementing DST on July 1, 1908, as a practical solution to make better use of daylight hours.6

This pioneering spirit reflects the same forward-thinking approach MaxWell Realty brings to the Canadian real estate market. Since 1999, we've helped clients navigate seasonal shifts with our core values of honesty, knowledge, and transparency.

Seasonal Advantages You Can Leverage During Daylight Saving Time

The spring time change creates distinct opportunities in the real estate market that savvy buyers and sellers can capitalize on:

  • Extended daylight hours allow for more flexible showing schedules and evening viewings
  • Strategic timing of listings during this active spring market can maximize exposure
  • Data-driven pricing approaches become especially valuable as market activity increases
  • Scheduling flexibility opens new possibilities for open houses and property tours

At MaxWell Realty, we help clients across Western Canada recognize and leverage these seasonal advantages with personalized strategies tailored to your specific real estate goals.

Making Your Move This Spring

The start of Daylight Saving Time signals one of the most dynamic periods in Canadian real estate. With longer evenings, energized buyers, and homes shown in their best light, spring offers unique advantages for both buyers and sellers.

Whether you're listing your property or searching for a new home, MaxWell Realty professionals are ready to help you navigate the market with confidence—making the most of every extra minute of daylight.

Ready to spring forward with your real estate plans? Contact your local MaxWell Realty office today for a consultation with one of our experienced REALTORS®. Let us show you how we turn seasonal shifts into opportunities for our clients.7

Sources

  1. "The Canadian Encyclopedia: Daylight Saving Time," Historica Canada, accessed March 2025, https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/daylight-saving-time ↩

  2. "Daylight Saving Time 2025 in Canada," TimeAndDate.com, accessed March 2025, https://www.timeanddate.com/time/change/canada ↩

  3. Government of Canada, "Time Changes in Canada," National Research Council Canada, accessed March 2025, https://nrc.canada.ca/en/certifications-evaluations-standards/canadas-official-time/time-zones-daylight-saving-time ↩

  4. National Association of Realtors, "Impact of Seasonal Light Changes on Property Viewings," Journal of Real Estate Practice, Spring 2024. ↩

  5. Canadian Real Estate Association, "Seasonal Market Trends Report," CREA, March 2024. ↩

  6. Prerau, David. "Seize the Daylight: The Curious and Contentious Story of Daylight Saving Time," Thunder's Mouth Press, 2023. ↩

  7. "MaxWell Realty Canada," accessed March 2025, https://www.maxwellrealty.ca/ ↩