When I list property, many sellers would like to hold an open house for the public.  I usually tell them that I would be glad to do that because I work for the seller, but that is not what usually sells a home.

We recently had an open house where we had about 35 couples come through the home.  Of the 35 couples, 34 couples were people who lived in the neighborhood who said they always wanted to see the house – they have no interest in buying whatsoever.

I also found that people sometimes go to an open house as more of a social event – they like to look at houses.  That is one of the advantages of being a Realtor – I get to do on a daily basis what people do when they have a day off.

A lot of people also like to go to open houses to get decorating ideas.  We notice that when we have open houses, people are always commenting on the decor. 

Realtors who sometimes do not have the money to advertise and promote a home will do an open house because it does not cost any money – that way they can tell the seller that they are working hard to get their house sold when in reality, they are not doing the things necessary in order to promote the house in an effective way simply because they do not have the resources to do that. 

The main advantage of an open house is not to get the house sold, as it is to get prospects for the Realtors. 

I think it is important that a Realtor be honest with his seller and point out what does and what does not sell real estate.