Zillow has a survey that says nearly 50% of buyers say they visited at least one open house during their search, and 43% found those visits “very” or “extremely” helpful in determining whether a home was the right fit.  Besides Zillow, Realtors can tell you that many of their buyer clients view an open house before calling them because they just want to “see what’s out there.”  Many times it can be the beginning of a decision to buy a home or whether to list their home and move up to the next home.  It’s research, to see how big 1,300 or 3,300 square feet feels when you are in it?  Or how updated something is or how much work a home might need that perhaps they can do in order to move into a bigger home or neighborhood.  

What’s the attraction of an open house?  Not having to make an appointment is one reason.  Buyers  can view the home almost anonymously, and for a longer period of time to kick the tires, so to speak.  It gives an opportunity to see a repair you’ve read about in a disclosure or report, or review the upgrades noted.  In addition, you can see the neighborhood “vibe” and perhaps ask questions about schools, parks, and amenities.  Often their Realtor is holding an open house elsewhere and has sent the buyer with a list of potential open houses in their price range and criteria to view.  Later with the ones that make the cut, they’ll come back with their Realtor.  These are focused showings with the goal of finding the right home.  It’s homework so to speak.  When viewing, you don’t have to worry about disturbing anyone, or worry about pets as everyone is typically gone when a Realtor is holding an open house.  

For the seller, it can create a BUZZ around a home, excitement; and, for neighbors, they want to see what other neighbors have done to their homes.  Overall it creates demand for the home and perhaps encourages the decision to buy before someone else makes their offer, especially if a buyer has made several unsuccessful attempts to get a home.  For sellers, there are few downsides if you prepare for an open house and remove any/all valuables, religious items, and/or collections or fragile items.  

Typically a busy open house has more folks in a couple of hours visiting the home than appointments would be able to accommodate if spread out throughout the day.  The seller has to leave for a shorter duration to accomplish the goal of getting the most people through the home.   

SO get out while the weather is nice and see those open houses.