Open houses have been an essential part of real estate marketing for decades. Potential buyers have a chance to walk through a home, imagine themselves living there, and connect with an agent in person. But with buyers’ habits changing and digital tools making it easier to explore homes online, you might be asking: Are open houses still worth your time and effort in 2025? We think so, but the reason is probably not what you were thinking.

This blog will show you when open houses make sense, which old practices to leave behind, and how to make your open houses a valuable part of your lead generation plan.

When Open Houses Work

Open houses work when they create energy and opportunity. Thoughtful prep, connecting with the local community, and smart follow-up turn casual visitors into motivated prospects. When done right, every open house becomes more than a showing; it becomes an opportunity.

When There Is Heavy Foot Traffic

Open houses work best in busy markets when there is a lot of foot traffic because they can create an opportunity for several interested people to visit at once. Walk-ins not only increase the likelihood of a sale but also create a sense of urgency when prospective buyers see their peers exploring the property.

The homes that benefit most from foot traffic are ones with standout features. Unique architecture, upgraded kitchens, outdoor living spaces, or other special features are easier to appreciate in person than through a phone screen. This experience of viewing attractive features firsthand allows viewers to form an emotional connection to the home.

If You Prepare

To be clear, it’s not just about walk-ins. A successful open house begins long before the doors open. Promotion is key. Leveraging online listings, social media, and email campaigns ensures your event reaches the right audience. Visually appealing and value-packed posts, including professional photos, can generate interest even before the open house starts. In addition, tapping into your online network of agents can get you in contact with qualified buyers who are actively looking.

Preparation also includes staging the property to highlight its best features (ensuring it’s spotless, and considering small touches like fresh flowers or light refreshments). When these elements combine, your open house transforms from a casual showing into an effective lead generation tool.

If You Connect with Neighbors

Connection with neighbors is great for future business. Neighbors typically know friends, family, or colleagues who are looking to move into the area. Building a relationship with them can result in future referrals and add value far beyond an immediate sale. A friendly, informative approach, like inviting neighbors to stop by and providing a small neighborhood guide, can turn them into allies in your selling process.

Additionally, connecting with neighbors allows you to gain insights about the local market, including the types of buyers most interested in the area or recent trends in home improvements. Building these local connections can create long-term value for future listings and strengthen your reputation as a proactive and community-minded agent.

If You Capture Visitor Information

When visitors arrive at your open house, encourage them to sign in with their contact details and preferences. Having their data handy allows you to follow up with personalized communications, answer questions, or schedule private showings for genuinely interested buyers. These organized follow-ups after the event, such as thank-you emails, can turn casual interest into familiar leads. You can either provide a physical sign-in sheet or use a digital sign-in that connects directly with your CRM to automatically populate your contact lists.

Additionally, don’t forget to pay attention to visitor feedback during the open house. Knowing what features visitors notice, what questions they ask, or any hesitations they express can improve your marketing strategy and even bring attention to minor adjustments that can improve the home’s appeal.

To Get Content for Social Media

Open houses are the perfect opportunity to capture engaging content that can be used in your social media marketing long after the event ends. Photos, short videos, and live clips from the open house showcase the property in a natural, authentic way and highlight the most attractive features. This type of content not only markets your current listing but also builds credibility and engagement online for future listings.

For example, consider sharing:

Q&A Instagram lives highlighting small details that really make the home standout
Behind-the-scenes clips of you preparing the event on TikTok

These social posts help you connect with buyers who couldn’t attend in person, keep your audience engaged, and expand your reach with shareable, relatable content. Over time, consistently using open houses as a resource for pillar content will reinforce your brand presence and make your listings stand out in competitive markets.

Not sure where to start? Pivota helps real estate professionals design and share high-impact social media content that keeps your listings top of mind. Let Pivota guide your next social media campaign.

When Open Houses Fail

The truth is that, while open houses can still be effective, some traditional approaches just don’t work. Even small missteps, such as how the property feels, the way information is delivered, or what happens after visitors leave, can make a big difference. Knowing what trips up most agents is the first step to turning your next showing into a standout event.

You Only Focus on the Home

A common mistake agents make is focusing solely on the home itself while overlooking the lifestyle it offers. Buyers want more than just square footage and finishes; they want to see how the space fits into their daily lives. Highlight nearby parks, schools, dining, shopping, and community features that make the neighborhood appealing. Incorporate visuals, short videos, or quick stories during the open house to show how the space fits into a vibrant lifestyle. By emphasizing convenience, recreation, and community, you help visitors understand the real-world advantages of living there and make the property more memorable.

Visitors are Overwhelmed with Too Much Information

One of the easiest ways to lose someone's attention is by dumping too much information on them at once. Your open house visitors don’t want to carry stacks of brochures, listen to rehearsed monologues, or feel like they are being sold at every turn. It distracts from the real experience of the home. Instead, offer plastic water bottles with your information on the label. Not only will they have your information, but they will have it at hand for the next couple of hours.

Then, let the property speak for itself, offering key insights in a concise way while encouraging guests to ask questions. A thoughtful balance of guidance and breathing room creates a more memorable showing and keeps visitors focused on envisioning their life in the space, not the pile of paperwork in their hands.

There is no Follow-up Plan

Finally, not having a follow-up plan is one of the biggest mistakes agents make. Even if your open house attracts visitors, failing to follow up promptly can result in lost opportunities. The first step is having sign-in tools that allow you to quickly capture names, emails, and phone numbers. Follow-up isn’t just about sending a generic email. Personalized communication referencing specific aspects of the home or conversations at the event shows attentiveness and builds trust.

By leaving these outdated habits behind, you can make your open houses more effective and align them with how today’s buyers look for homes.

Final Thoughts

Open houses are not outdated, but they are no longer a simple “set it and forget it” tactic. Today, success depends on thoughtful planning, smart promotion, and timely follow-up. When executed well, open houses can still help you sell homes and grow your network.

Integrating these strategies ensures that your open house is more than just a showing. It becomes a part of your overall lead generation plan, helping you build relationships with potential buyers and generate long-term value. When combined with other lead generation tactics, open houses help create a consistent flow of new business.

Curious how else to turn your open house into a powerful lead-generating tool? Our team would love to show you how.