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Are open houses actually worth it for sellers?

real estateselling homehome buying
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Diana_1980
Joined:
12.07.2021
Posts: 1738
Topic Starter
02.01.2025 11:00
I'm getting ready to list my home next month and my agent is really pushing for back-to-back open houses every weekend. Honestly, I'm worried it's just going to attract nosy neighbors and people who aren't actually serious about buying right now. Is this just an old-school marketing tactic that doesn't really work in the digital age, or do you think it actually helps generate real offers? I'd love to hear some recent experiences from people who have sold or bought a home lately.
19 replies in this topic
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redoven
Joined:
13.05.2024
Posts: 1884
05.01.2025 23:43
Honestly, open houses are mostly just a way for agents to find new buyer clients. They rarely result in a direct sale for the seller.
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Hubo_K
Joined:
29.01.2021
Posts: 216
10.02.2025 11:05
In reply to a previous post
I sold my condo last year and we did zero open houses. My agent just used professional photography and a strong listing price, and we had five offers in three days. Don't let them pressure you.
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Kras_T
Joined:
18.11.2019
Posts: 365
17.02.2025 15:09
It really depends on your neighborhood. If you're in a high-traffic area, it can create a 'fear of missing out' vibe that drives up the price.
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Yulia_M
Joined:
11.08.2021
Posts: 769
21.02.2025 03:49
In reply to a previous post
I disagree with the first comment. We held one open house and it brought in the couple who ended up buying our place. It definitely works if the house is priced right.
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Maks_D
Joined:
29.02.2020
Posts: 2184
24.02.2025 07:35
The nosy neighbors are annoying, but sometimes they have friends or family looking to move into the area. It’s free word-of-mouth marketing.
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Brayan_Z
Joined:
28.04.2020
Posts: 697
25.02.2025 04:16
Make sure you lock up your jewelry and personal documents if you do decide to go through with them. That's the biggest risk in my opinion.
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Denis_P
Joined:
31.01.2023
Posts: 753
28.03.2025 12:45
In reply to a previous post
Exactly. You never know who is walking through your front door. I wouldn't do it unless my agent is there the entire time.
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NeZnamNoPisha
Joined:
05.11.2020
Posts: 1029
02.04.2025 22:34
In the digital age, everyone sees your house on Zillow anyway. An open house is just redundant.
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otgovor_BG
Joined:
21.05.2021
Posts: 2155
04.04.2025 03:33
My agent told me the same thing, but I put my foot down. We only did private showings and it was much less stressful for my kids and pets.
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Ameli_Z
Joined:
30.08.2021
Posts: 2262
03.05.2025 01:08
In reply to a previous post
I think it’s a numbers game. The more people who walk through, the higher the chance of finding someone emotionally attached to the property.
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Iva_R
Joined:
28.09.2022
Posts: 513
14.05.2025 18:24
If your house is unique or has a weird layout, an open house helps people 'get it' in person rather than just looking at photos.
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vulk_samotnik
Joined:
01.12.2020
Posts: 2011
06.07.2025 09:27
Don't forget the wear and tear on your floors from all those people walking through in their shoes. It adds up.
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Leni_C
Joined:
25.01.2022
Posts: 538
02.09.2025 02:51
In reply to a previous post
I sold my home last month and we did one open house. It was chaotic but we got two offers out of it. I'd say it's worth it for just one day.
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kamilo
Joined:
15.03.2023
Posts: 524
04.09.2025 19:11
In reply to a previous post
Are you in a rush to sell? If so, an open house can help expedite the process by cramming all the viewings into one weekend.
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Toni_M
Joined:
04.01.2021
Posts: 1828
14.09.2025 04:15
Most serious buyers have agents and will just book private viewings. Open houses are mostly for looky-loos.
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Milos_S
Joined:
26.04.2020
Posts: 1140
07.10.2025 20:52
It’s definitely an old-school tactic. Most agents just want the sign out front to show they are 'active' to other potential sellers in the neighborhood.
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seba_bg
Joined:
03.06.2020
Posts: 1416
02.11.2025 06:11
I’m a buyer right now and I actually like open houses because I don't have to bother my agent for every single property I want to peek at.
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Stefan_W
Joined:
08.07.2025
Posts: 1579
01.01.2026 19:24
In reply to a previous post
That's a fair point, but does it actually lead to you putting in an offer? Or just browsing?
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kamilo
Joined:
23.03.2021
Posts: 2366
18.02.2026 06:42
It's all about curb appeal. If you don't have a great exterior, no amount of open houses will save you. Spend that money on landscaping instead.

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