05/20/2026
Most agents won't tell you this about open houses.
Despite what you might think from seeing open house signs every weekend in your neighborhood, most buyers don't find their home at an open house.
According to NAR's 2025 Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers, it happens less than 5 percent of the time. The internet accounts for 52 percent. Their agent accounts for another 27 percent.
So what actually sells a home? After 12 years doing this, my answer is the same every time.
Three things:
1) The price is right for what the current market will actually support;
2) The home shows well, online first and then in person; and
3) There are no major inspection issues waiting to blow up the deal after you're already under contract.
That's it.
Open houses can be part of a marketing plan and I'll hold them when the timing makes sense. But they don't fix a pricing problem. They don't fix bad photos. And they don't fix a condition issue a buyer discovers during inspection.
The work that moves the needle happens before the sign goes in the yard. When that work is done right, selling your home doesn't have to feel like a gamble.
