Market Perspectives Blog Post
Are Open Houses Worth It? Yes—but Not for the Reason You Think
Open houses have long been a staple of the home-selling process. But let’s be honest—they’re not magic. At Adam Timothy Group, we tell our clients the truth: open houses are just one piece of the puzzle, and they’re rarely the reason a home actually sells.
According to the National Association of Realtors, only about 7% of homes are purchased as a direct result of an open house. That’s not a huge number. But that doesn’t mean open houses are useless. In fact, when used correctly, they can be a smart supporting tactic that builds momentum and visibility—not necessarily for the house being shown, but often for others we have listed.
The real value of an open house
“It is actually more common to find your buyer at an open house for another home. But your buyer might be a friend of someone who stops by an open house.”
— Timothy Powles
It creates exposure. Not everyone walking through the door is a serious buyer for that specific home—but they might know someone who is, or they may be looking for something similar.
It creates conversations. We often meet new buyers at open houses who end up falling in love with a different home we have listed.
It energizes the market. The more activity around a property, the more urgency it can create with other buyers watching from the sidelines.
But again, we don’t confuse activity with results. The most qualified buyers typically schedule private showings. That’s where decisions are made.
What we actually do to make it count
If we decide an open house is part of your strategy, we don’t just put up a sign and hope. We go all in:
200+ door knockers to personally invite neighbors and help them spread the word
30+ directional signs strategically placed to boost visibility throughout the area
Targeted digital and social marketing in the days leading up to the event to get it on buyers’ radar
On-site engagement and detailed follow-up—because a name on a sign-in sheet means nothing if it goes nowhere
In the right situation, yes. Especially if your home shows well in person, has unique features that photos can’t fully capture, or needs a second wave of attention.
But we’ll never pitch it as a silver bullet. Most homes don’t sell because of an open house—they sell because they’re well-priced, well-marketed, and positioned properly from day one.
Open houses support that plan—but they don’t drive it.
If we’re listing your home, we’ll talk honestly about whether an open house adds value for your specific situation. And whether it’s helping to sell your home—or finding the perfect buyer for another one in our portfolio—we’ll make sure it’s time well spent.
So, should you host one?
In the right situation, yes. Especially if your home shows well in person, has unique features that photos can’t fully capture, or needs a second wave of attention.
But we’ll never pitch it as a silver bullet. Most homes don’t sell because of an open house—they sell because they’re well-priced, well-marketed, and positioned properly from day one.
Open houses support that plan—but they don’t drive it.
If we’re listing your home, we’ll talk honestly about whether an open house adds value for your specific situation. And whether it’s helping to sell your home—or finding the perfect buyer for another one in our portfolio—we’ll make sure it’s time well spent.
Other Market Perspectives Posts
We don’t just buy and sell homes. We build community by helping clients find their place in the world.
Timothy Powles and Adam Stanley work together on the Adam Timothy Group at Compass RA and manage AT Real Estate Group LLC, a rental and vacation property investment business. We are about building community. We believe a real estate transaction is an important and extremely significant event but relationships last a lifetime. Our clients, partners, and friends trust us to get to know their story and what is most important to them. And we work tirelessly to retain that trust.
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