Sellers often assume an open house is the main event. In reality, open houses and private showings serve different purposes – and the serious buyer almost always comes through the private showing door.
What open houses do well
Open houses generate buzz in the first days on market, capture neighbors who know other buyers, and create a sense of momentum. They are marketing, not selling.
Why private showings close deals
A private showing is a buyer who has pre-approval in hand and is ready to write. They linger, ask real questions, and picture themselves living there. The offer almost always comes from this group.
The right strategy uses both: an open house to launch, and well-managed private showings to convert. Skipping the private side to chase open-house crowds is how listings go stale.
