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Are Open Houses a waste of time ?

Our listing agent says that open houses don’t generate serious buyers. When the agent does an open house, he never has a sign up sheet, so I don’t know how the agent follows up with potential buyers that might be interested. For awhile, the agent didn’t even have flyers to hand out. Is an open house just a waste of time ?
Asked By William | Stockton, CA | 51 views | Selling | 5 days ago
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75 Answers
Amanda Courtney

REP Realty Group

(8)

Not at all—if done strategically. While some buyers discover homes online first, open houses still create local buzz and bring in neighbors who might know potential buyers. They also allow agents to gather feedback and generate future leads. For well-marketed listings, open houses can absolutely move the needle.
Christopher Raynor

Real Brokerage LLC

(21)

Depends who’s running them. If it’s just an agent sitting on their phone waiting for a miracle, yeah, total waste.

But when done right, an open house is a live marketing event. It’s a chance to create energy, collect feedback, and expose your property to serious buyers (and yes, even their nosy neighbors who might know someone ready to move). The key isn’t the open house—it’s the strategy behind it. And trust me, mine aren’t boring.
Matthew Chapman

Matthew Chapman With Windermere

(67)

Honestly, it depends on the strategy behind them.
In my experience here in the Seattle–Bellevue area, open houses don’t always bring the buyer who ends up writing the offer — but that doesn’t mean they’re a waste. A well-run open house can create energy around your listing, attract curious neighbors who often know someone looking to move nearby, and give unrepresented buyers a chance to connect with the property.

The key is execution. If your agent isn’t promoting it beforehand, collecting visitor info, or following up, then yes — it’s a missed opportunity. But when done strategically, with strong digital promotion, great signage, and personal follow-up, open houses can absolutely complement your overall marketing plan and help drive momentum for the sale.
Absolutely not — when they’re done strategically.

As an active real estate agent, I’ve found open houses to be one of the most effective ways to build momentum around a listing, create in-person connections, and generate new leads — both for that property and future opportunities. The key is preparation and presentation.

Here’s why open houses still matter:

They bring the property to life. Photos and virtual tours can only go so far. When buyers step inside, they form an emotional connection that can’t be replicated online.

They expand visibility. Even casual visitors — neighbors, referrals, or drive-by traffic — often know someone looking to buy. Every attendee is a potential connection.

They’re powerful lead generators. By using a sign-up sheet or QR code registration, I capture contact information and follow up with personalized insights. This turns a simple event into a pipeline opportunity.

Professional marketing sets the tone. Providing color flyers with detailed property information helps visitors remember the home and reinforces a polished, high-touch impression that reflects well on both the property and the agent.

They serve your seller. A well-run open house signals to your client that you’re proactive, engaged, and willing to invest the time to maximize exposure.

Like any marketing tool, open houses only “don’t work” when they’re treated as a passive activity — sitting at the table waiting for traffic. When you approach them with intention, strategy, and follow-up, they become one of the most personal and productive touchpoints in real estate.
John Wuertz

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices, Fox & Roach Realtors

(56)

Open houses can be great tools when conducted properly. Your agent should certainly have materials to distribute to visitors. The open house should be published everywhere (MLS, social media, email blasts, etc). My team members also call the surrounding neighbors to let them know to send their friends (40% of people buy homes near their friends). Your neighbors all want you to get as much money as possible because it helps them. The hosting agent should also be getting visitors to sign in either on an app or paper so that they can follow up with them. We use a questionnaire to get actual feedback. It doesn't matter how many people attend. What matters is what they say and how they react to your home. Are there actionable items from the feedback? It's not just price, although it's good to know how the market is reacting to your pricing. But also decor, smell, traffic flow/furniture arrangement, etc. Feedback from the agents and visitors is what you need. Not just headcount.
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Grace Bonaccorso

Fine Properties

(43)

I don't think it's a waste of time. Even if no one comes to the open house, just the action of setting it up puts it out there in the digital world. For example, if someone had saved your property on Zillow, Zillow would now send them an email that your house is open. So, if nothing else, its extra free advertising and exposure.
Jason Craig

Coldwell Banker

Test message open house
Gale Culver

Real

(6)

A strategic open house will absolutely get eyes on your property. Most homes however do not sell through open houses. It does not mean that having an open house is a wast of time. The agent does need to be prepared and generate some excitement about it before it happens or it very well could be a waste of time.

The results will be a reflection of the effort put in.
Cindy Jacobson

COMPASS

(1)

I have had Buyers from open houses, on a more rare occasion, butI have had new listings due to the work I do on my listings as Sellers are watching and they do come to my opens.

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