You don’t need a public open house to sell your home, but open houses are an efficient way to invite homebuyers to view your home.
In a busy real estate market, open houses are an effective way to make the best use of time by having all the showings simultaneously. A buzzing open house generates the most interest; everyone talking about the space can create an atmosphere for buyers to act. In comparison, open houses can yield little to no results during a slower market. In a slow market, limiting access to only private showings can be more advantageous to avoid buyers entering an empty and underwhelming open house.
Another great opportunity, no matter what the market conditions are, is using open houses to introduce buyers to the property casually. If a buyer is on the fence, an open house is a low-barrier way of inviting buyers to view your property. Buyers just starting their homeownership journey are more likely to visit an open house rather than commit to a private one-on-one showing.
Naturally, a public open house feels invasive as a homeseller; we’re inviting strangers into your home after all. Open houses come with snoopy neighbours, tire kickers, and looky-loos; limiting access at an open house is a tough call because we don’t know who the genuine buyers are at first glance.
Above all, there are no hard and fast rules that say you must make your home available at a public open house. Instead, you choose to sell your home strictly through private showings. Or open your home up to the public with an open house. As the seller, the choice is yours to make.
