“Should I have an open house?”

One of the questions a Seller asks is “Should I have an open house?”. While the answer is more than likely YES, there are situations where it’s just not conducive.

YES - Open Houses provides an opportunity for prospective Buyers to walk through. Some Buyers may be “driving by” and possibly their search was not in that area. Or their agent is away/busy and are unable to provide them with a private tour.

The NO - specialty houses (ie: a large house with a lot of valuables…. homes under construction….cluttered homes). While we think STAGING is important (Discussed in another video and blog) certain situations don’t allow the Seller to show their home at it’s best and therefore may not be a good representation in an open house.

Personally, I think open houses on OCCUPIED HOMES are tough! As an agent I want to know where everyone is and what they are doing so I may only allow one family thru at a time.

In this market (Spring 2024) we are seeing more customers attend open houses and less private showings. Since the internet provides so much information and people like the freedom of going to open houses when they want to, I think we will begin noticing that open houses actually DO sell the house. Just my opinion. And since the market changes, so will my opinion…..