Why Open House Viewings Are So Popular With Purchasers

An open house can be a great tool for showing your house and getting it sale agreed.  On the other hand, it may take work to prepare for one but the benefits by far outweigh the effort.  It requires that you be out of your house for only a short while usually an hour at most.  It also guarantees you will get a lot of people in the door some serious some maybe not, however those attending have shown interest in your property so by no means is it a wasted effort. 

So how often should you hold an open house when your home is on the market?

The frequency depends on a few factors as an open house will bring in people who otherwise might not have made an appointment to see your home. These are people who may not have known the house was of interest to them until they saw it in person.  Home hunters often spend a day at weekends going to various open houses, and might add a home to their list that wouldn't otherwise be of interest. When you leave enough time in between each open house, you allow for new buyers to come into the market and bring a new crop of people each time.

Is The Effort Worth The Benefit?

Getting your home ready prior to an open house viewing takes some effort.  You will need to make sure everything is clean and all the clutter is hidden away.  Even if you are keeping your home show ready as much as possible it will require some extra work. In the initial stages an open house is a good strategy to promote your property and generate immediate interest.  The longer your house is on the market it may be a combination of single viewings and open house viewings at weekends.  Presentation is key so any time you spend will assist you in getting the best possible price.

Which Day To Hold An Open House Viewing On?

Ensure that the agent you appoint is prepared to do open house viewings at weekends and ideally confirm that they will do Sundays as well.  So many people are working long hours nowadays that in a lot of cases the only day that most couples have off work to view together is a Sunday.  Also request that viewings are not just done early morning but also in the afternoons which is often more convenient for people with children.

How Important Are Single Viewings?

If you have a lot of prospective buyers making appointments to see the house you may not need to hold single viewings that often.  If you aren't getting a lot of requests to view then any enquiries submitted have to be taken very seriously.  Arranging an appointment to view from the interested party is imperative so a single viewing may be the best option. The longer you have been on the market the more useful a single viewing may be especially as a second viewing by someone who has already seen the property at an open house viewing.

Of course, your estate agent will help you to select the right timing and frequency of your open houses based on the interest in your property and the market in your area.

Learn more