Who Really Benefits From an Open House? (Hint: It’s Not Always the Seller)
If you’re preparing to sell your home in Portland, Oregon, chances are you’ve heard this advice: “You have to do an open house—it’ll get your home sold faster.”
That sounds nice in theory. But here’s the reality: while open houses may feel productive, they often help the real estate agent more than the homeowner.
Now, before you toss your cookie tray in protest, let me explain.
The Purpose of an Open House (And Who It's Really For)
Open houses have long been seen as a standard part of selling a home. And while they can create buzz, especially in a fast-moving Portland real estate market, the majority of serious buyers aren't walking through open houses on a lazy Sunday. They're touring homes by appointment, working with a buyer's agent, and often already pre-approved for financing.
So who’s showing up to your open house?
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Curious neighbors looking to check out your kitchen remodel
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Weekend looky-loos with no real plan to buy
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People new to house hunting who aren’t yet pre-approved
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And most importantly—potential clients for the listing agent
Yep. Open houses are a proven way for real estate agents (like me) to meet new leads. While your home may or may not sell from that open house, your agent might very well pick up a new buyer or two for their pipeline. That’s not shady—it’s just how the system works.
Do Open Houses Ever Help Sell a Home?
Sure. In some cases—like unique homes, high-traffic neighborhoods, or ultra-competitive price points—an open house might give the right buyers one more reason to take action.
But more often than not, it’s not the open house that seals the deal. It’s strategic pricing, high-quality marketing, professional staging, and strong online exposure.
Especially in the Portland housing market, where most buyers start their search on sites like Zillow, Redfin, or Realtor.com, a great listing with strong digital marketing reaches far more people than a 2-hour open house ever could.
What Actually Sells Homes in Portland?
If you're serious about selling your home in Portland (and not just making it smell like cookies), here’s where your focus should be:
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Pricing your home based on local market data
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Professional listing photos and virtual tours
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Maximizing online visibility across all major real estate websites
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Allowing flexible showing times for qualified buyers
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Tapping into a trusted agent’s network of local Portland buyers and agents
Those are the things that move homes—not folding flyers on your kitchen island before an open house.
Bottom Line
I’m not anti–open house. I’m just pro-results.
If I think an open house will help your sale, I’ll say so. But I won’t recommend one just because “it’s what everyone does.” My goal is to help you sell quickly, profitably, and with as little stress as possible.
And yes—if we do hold one, I’ll still bring the cookies. It’s Portland. We have standards.
Thinking About Selling Your Home in Portland?
Let’s talk strategy. I’ll walk you through what works, what doesn’t, and how to make your home shine in today’s Portland real estate market—without the gimmicks.
📞 Call or text me anytime to schedule a no-pressure home selling consultation.
