Why Open Houses Rarely Sell Homes
Over the past several months, as the housing market continues to shift, I have seen more and more discussions from frustrated home sellers online. Whether on Reddit or real estate message boards, many of them are venting about one topic in particular: open house.
One post I saw recently stood out. A home seller shared that their real estate agent refused to do an open house, saying it was not worth their time. And honestly, I agree. It is not that your agent does not want to help you. It is that open houses are simply not the magic solution many sellers think they are.
The Truth About Open Houses
In my 25 years as a real estate professional, I have only sold one home at an open house. Just one. And yet open houses remain one of the most talked about tactics among home sellers.
So why do agents still host them? Truthfully, most of the time it is not to sell your home. It is to meet unrepresented buyers or introduce themselves to curious neighbors who may want to list their homes someday. Rarely are the people walking through your front door serious buyers. Most of the time, they are either neighbors, early-stage buyers, or folks who decided to stop by without much intent.
What Actually Sells a Home
If you want your home to sell, forget about open houses. Focus instead on what actually moves a property in today’s market:
Price: Your home needs to be priced competitively. It should align with similar properties in your area and reflect the current market conditions. Overpricing will only result in low interest and extended days on market.
Condition: First impressions matter. Your home should show in its best possible light. Clean, declutter, repair, and stage where needed. Keep the home in show-ready condition for every scheduled appointment. Buyers need to imagine themselves living there.
Marketing: Your real estate agent should be doing more than just posting your home on a few websites. Ask what their digital marketing strategy looks like. Are they using professional photos, video tours, social media campaigns, targeted online advertising? This is where agents earn their commission and where your home earns attention.
If your home is not selling, it is likely an issue with one of these three areas. Not the lack of open houses.
Reframe Your Expectations
Open houses may bring people through the door, but that does not mean they are the right people. And it certainly does not guarantee an offer.
So please, do not hinge your hopes on open houses. They are not the magic bullet. Ask your agent the hard questions. Are we priced right? Is our presentation competitive? Is the marketing driving the right kind of interest?
If you want more detail on this topic, I recommend reading: The Truth About Open Houses for Home Sellers.
Need help navigating your sale or want a second opinion? I can connect you with a trusted agent in your market who can walk you through what works today and help get your home sold.
