Do open houses still work?

What’s the Real Role of an Open House Today?

You’re ready to sell.

Your agent suggests an open house.

The signs go up, the candles get lit, the scent of freshly baked cookies floats through the air.

It feels... expected.

But here’s the question: in an era where buyers scroll listings before they step outside does the open house actually do anything?

Let’s pull back the curtain.

The Real Answer

I’ve seen open houses lead directly to offers.

It happens.

But they’re rarely the main character in the sale, more like a supporting role in a well cast ensemble.

Here's the alchemy: everything in real estate marketing, from jaw-dropping photos to your Zillow listing to targeted social media ads, exists for one purpose:

To get buyers in the door.

That’s it.

Because showings = offers.

And on average?

It takes about 15–20 showings to spark a serious one.

Not Just Curious Neighbors

Yes, you’ll get your fair share of looky loos and nosy neighbors (bless them).

But every person walking through your door is another set of eyes, another potential “yes.”

You never know which passerby might walk in and feel that click, the instant sense of “home.”

Sometimes, that spark begins at an open house.

It’s a Momentum Game

Think of open houses as part of a layered strategy.

On their own, they rarely close the deal.

But paired with smart pricing, killer photos, and savvy online marketing?

They add fuel to the fire.

They keep your listing fresh.

They give buyers who are on the fence a low friction way to take the next step.

And they create energy.

In fact...

There’s a Psychology at Play

When multiple buyers walk through a home at once, something subtle shifts.

People glance sideways.

They linger a little longer.

They wonder: “Am I seeing this first or losing it to someone else?”

It’s not pressure.

It’s momentum. And that momentum matters.

What I’d Tell a Friend

Open houses aren’t magic.

But they are smart leverage especially in your first week on the market.

They cast a wider net.

They increase visibility.

And in this game, visibility drives velocity.

If selling your home is like fishing, then your open house is another line in the water.

Not the only line, but one more chance to hook the right buyer.

Grab my 4 Step Selling Process.

A clear, proven framework for getting from “For Sale” to “Sold” with less stress and better results.

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