I’m selling my house, should we have an open house?

BY Reid Boles, Realtor | May 22, 2026

It’s a weekend tradition that goes back as long as homes have been for sale: the open house.

There are a few different strategies when selling a home but in today’s market, we are seeing more offer dates than ever. In many cases, homes are selling within a week with multiple offers when everything lines up properly.

Private showings will almost always happen throughout the week but one of the biggest questions is whether to host an open house or two on the weekend.

There are pros and cons to both approaches and the right choice often depends on the home, the neighbourhood, and the seller’s comfort level.

Opening the house to the public for a few hours gives buyers the chance to stop by at their leisure. It can also attract people who happen to be in the area and were not even aware the home was for sale, which is never a bad thing.

Open houses also tend to bring in more casual buyers. These are often people without an agent yet, buyers just starting their home search or people considering moving into a new neighbourhood. A busy open house can create excitement and urgency as well, especially for buyers who are already interested and do not want to miss out.

Of course, there are some downsides.

The biggest concern with a busy open house is security. An agent cannot be everywhere at once and visitors are walking through the home on their own. Sellers may feel uncomfortable having unsupervised buyers in the house and open houses can also attract curious neighbours with no real intention of buying. I always encourage my sellers to remove or lock away any valuables in their home.

For many sellers, private showings feel like the more secure option.

With private showings, the listing agent knows exactly which agent is showing the property and when they arrived. If any issue comes up, it is much easier to follow up and address it directly.

Private showings also create a different atmosphere for buyers. They can take their time, speak honestly with their agent, and discuss their thoughts privately without other buyers listening in. It can also lead to more direct feedback from showing agents, which is harder to get during a busy open house.

That said, private showings can sometimes become a challenge for sellers as well. Leaving the house on short notice, packing up pets or children, unplanned outings and coffee shop visits can quickly become exhausting, especially when multiple showings are booked throughout the day. If you are leaving the house during the day or for an extended period, it’s best to have it ready for showings so that if any requests come in, they can be accommodated easily.

In the end, it comes down to personal preference and choosing the strategy that feels right for you and your agent.

Every home and neighbourhood is different and I am always happy to help guide sellers through the process. If you want to discuss this further and see what the right fit would be for your home, please reach out.