If you plan to buy a home, chances are you have heard about the concept of attending open houses, where you get to view properties that are up for sale. In such scenarios, you must remember that the home belongs to someone else and you’re a guest, and it’s crucial to treat the process professionally. In this blog post, we’ll share best practices for attending open houses and answers to commonly asked questions.

What is an Open House?

An open house is when sellers invite the general public to view a home that is up for sale. More often than not, real estate professionals take the responsibility of hosting open houses on their clients’ behalf, although some sellers may choose to host them on their own. An open house typically lasts for a few hours, and most people hold them on weekends to attract more foot traffic. You may also find some that take place on weekday evenings.

When homeowners decide to sell their homes, their real estate agents tend to recommend that they host open houses to attract more potential buyers. However, a seller may decline the proposal and request to show the house only by appointment.

A typical open house is informal, and you might even find small refreshments that help make the atmosphere more welcoming. It’s common for open houses to have sign-up sheets, which you may fill with your details. Some real estate agents and realtors create informational flyers, giving potential buyers further insight into the property. These can come in the form of its key details, price, photos, and information about the neighborhood.