What Is an Open House? Everything You Need to Know

An open house is a scheduled public home viewing hosted by a seller or real estate agent. For sellers, it’s a powerful tool for marketing a home and finding serious buyers. It also gives prospective homebuyers the chance to explore the home and get a feel for the space without the need to schedule a private showing.

Understanding open houses and how they work can help you maximize this opportunity, whether you’re attending or hosting the event.

The primary purpose of an open house in real estate is to showcase a home for sale to as many buyers as possible in a short period of time. Sellers can generate interest in the home by allowing potential buyers to walk through the property alone or with their real estate agent.

“It's a marketing tool to meet potential buyers, receive offers and sell the home more quickly,” says McKenzie Ryan, real estate agent and founder of the McKenzie Ryan team at Douglas Elliman. “Strategically speaking, a thoughtfully curated open house can help generate multiple offers as buyers will see the bustle and activity around a property and feel more compelled to submit offers.”

The seller’s real estate agent organizes and hosts the open house. It serves as a marketing tool to generate interest and attract prospective buyers. The agent is responsible for making sure all preparations highlight the home’s potential. This includes ensuring that the event runs smoothly and that potential buyers have all the information they need to decide whether or not to make an offer. 

An open house has three main stages: preparation, open house day and follow-up with interested buyers.

Open house preparation involves scheduling the event, marketing and staging the home. The listing agent will also sit down with the home seller and develop a strategy. “It’s important to curate your presentation to your buyers' interests and needs,” Ryan says. 

It’s wise to consider highlighting nearby amenities like parks, shopping and restaurants. Area developments such as new public transportation hubs are worth noting, as they may benefit a potential buyer’s lifestyle. 

• Scheduling: According to Ryan, most open houses are generally one to two hours long and ideally hosted during the peak Sunday hours of 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. The agent will add the date and time of the open house in the Multiple Listing Service (MLS). “We also confirm attendance from brokers or buyers who have reached out ahead of time to get a sense of the traction we may have,” Ryan adds.
• Marketing: The listing agent markets the open house to maximize turnout, typically through local email blasts, social media and print mailers.
• Staging: Before the event, the listing agent may recommend staging the home with furniture and decor. They might also suggest removing personal belongings to help buyers envision living there. “We often stage the home or recommend minor repairs and cleaning to ensure the property looks its best,” Ryan says.

On open house day, the seller’s real estate agent will arrive before the scheduled event to ensure everything is ready and that the event runs smoothly. 

The agent will bring show sheets with information about the property that prospective buyers can take home. These include property details like the list price, square footage and home features. Some open houses even offer light snacks or beverages to make the environment more welcoming. 

During the open house, Ryan says the real estate agent will greet attendees as they arrive and provide a sign-in sheet. The agent may then invite them to walk through the home at their own pace. The seller’s agent is also there to give a guided tour and answer any questions.

After the open house, potential buyers can submit offers or ask additional questions. According to Ryan, “Some buyers may submit offers or express interest directly after the open house and from there, agents relay the feedback to the sellers.” 

Most open houses do not sell homes by themselves. An open house puts the home on the buyer’s radar and allows them to tour the property and compare it with other listings.

“This is a chance for potential buyers to explore the property in person and get a feel for the space, layout and condition,” Ryans says. “It’s also an opportunity for buyers to see multiple homes in one day and really begin to compare and contrast, and most importantly, figure out exactly what they’re looking for in a home.” 

An open house benefits both buyers and sellers. However, there are a few potential drawbacks to be aware of.

• Increased exposure: Holding an open house ensures plenty of foot traffic from potential buyers. According to Ryan, it can generate interest in the property and spark competition, sometimes leading to multiple offers.
• Feedback: Open houses allow sellers to receive direct feedback from attendees, which helps gauge marketing interest and allows sellers to adjust pricing.
• Faster sale: An open house can result in a faster sale by increasing the level of exposure to potential buyers.

• Inconvenience: Open houses require time and effort. Not only does the home need to be cleaned and staged, but the seller will have to leave their home during the open house. This also includes small children or pets who live in the house.
• Privacy: All personal belongings should be put away, but remember that every drawer, cabinet and closet will be opened.
• Safety concerns: Agents monitor attendees, but an open house means leaving your home and everything inside in someone else's hands.

• Opportunity to explore: An open house allows buyers to check out the home’s layout during the homebuying process. “They can view a property without scheduling a private appointment and view the space in a relaxed environment at their own pace,” Ryan says.
• Information about the home: Buyers can get all the details they need from informative brochures or by asking the agent questions about the home and local area.
• Convenience: Open houses allow buyers to view several properties in a single weekend. “They can set up an open house tour where they view multiple properties in one afternoon without the hassle of scheduling specific times,” says Ryan.
• No commitment: There’s no commitment when attending an open house. Potential buyers can tour the home without pressure. If you’re just starting your home search, you can visit open houses even if you don’t have a buyer’s agent.

• Crowded: Open houses can sometimes be busy, and buyers must navigate the home around other people.
• Limited time: There’s a small window of time to view the property, which may not fit into the buyer’s schedule.
• Sales pressure: Although there’s no commitment required, open houses may cause a buyer to feel pressure to submit an offer.

While it’s not a formal occasion, you should still have a plan when attending open houses. As a prospective buyer, you’ll want to gain information about the home and ask the real estate agent questions about the property’s history and its sale.

• Research: Gather information about the open house beforehand. Look at the listing details and photos. Research the neighborhood and the surrounding area, including amenities, schools and property values. This will give you a good idea of what to expect when you attend the open house.
• Preparation: Plan your visit and dress appropriately. Wear a comfortable yet appropriate outfit. You’ll also do a lot of walking and climbing stairs, so wear the right shoes.
• Engagement: Ask questions and interact with the real estate agent. Inquire about the listing, house and neighborhood. How long has the house been on the market? Why is the homeowner selling? What are some nearby amenities? Does the neighborhood have a homeowners association (HOA)? Make a list of questions and bring them to each open house you visit.
• Follow-up: If you’re interested in the property, contact the agent. You can express interest in the home or request additional information. Consider asking the agent specific questions about the property, neighborhood or local real estate market conditions.

Open houses take time and effort to organize. They are an opportunity for real estate professionals to showcase a property and bring potential buyers into the home. As a buyer, you can often find listing information, view photos and take virtual home tours online. Visiting the home during an open house will give you a better sense of the home’s layout and features without making a commitment.