Open houses have traditionally been used as a tool to expose more people to a home that’s listed on the market. But today, web listings, virtual tours and other online tools have drastically changed the way buyers search for homes. The prevalence of these new technologies has led many sellers to wonder if open houses are even worth the hassle anymore. Let’s take a look at the pros and cons of open houses, so you can determine whether or not your property would benefit from hosting one.

Pros of an Open House

Technology is great, but nothing can really top seeing a property in person. Many of the pros of an open house come down to the potential of bringing buyers directly inside your front door. It’s true that many buyers search for listings online, but serious buyers still prefer to use in-person observations as part of their research. At an open house, you’ll have the opportunity to personally connect with bigger numbers of new customers, answer their questions and receive feedback on the property. Plus, buyers will be able to talk with your real estate agent who can offer expert knowledge about the home’s construction and the local real estate market.

 Cons of an Open House

Most open house traffic is geared towards single-family homes, so if you are trying to sell a condo, apartment or townhome, you may not generate as much interest. Open houses also tend to draw crowds of lookers that are not necessarily serious about buying a home in the near future. And most importantly, you may open your home up to criticism that buyers only see when they arrive in person, such as odors from pets, neighborhood problems or construction issues. Anticipate some of these drawbacks so that you can address them in conversation.

Weigh the pros and cons and decide whether or not an open house is right for your listing. If you decide to go for it, be sure to schedule the open house at a convenient time for buyers, and get ready to put your sales skills to the test