Do Open Houses Sell Homes? Here’s What Actually Helps a Sale

An open house is a designated time when potential buyers can tour a home without scheduling a private showing. It gives them a chance to imagine themselves living in a space in a relaxed setting. While an open house might not necessarily close a deal by itself, what it does do is generate interest by putting a home in front of buyers who might not have otherwise given it a second thought online – so it’s worth understanding what an open house actually does and if it’s the right strategy for your home sale. What’s the point of an open house? “Open houses are an essential part of the homebuying and selling process,” says Jo Chavez, a Redfin Premier agent in Kansas City, MO. “They give buyers a chance to experience a home in person, help sellers get more eyes on their listing, and create a sense of urgency when multiple buyers show up at once.” Sellers already have two primary tools for reaching buyers: listing photos online, and private, scheduled tours. An open house sits between them, and it earns its place by doing a few things neither of the others can: Cuts down on scheduling mishaps: Instead of coordinating ten separate appointments across ten calendars, buyers show up whenever...