Why Less Is More: Optimizing Open House Strategies for LA Home Sellers
Victorian Home in Highland Park Los Angeles
A Surprising Discovery at a Eagle Rock Open House
Over the weekend, I visited an open house in Eagle Rock—just a short distance from Pasadena—that seemed poised to become one of the area's hottest listings. This beautiful 1930s Spanish-style home, complete with a stunning pool and listed under $2 million, had just hit the market two days earlier. Yet, surprisingly, I was the only visitor during the Sunday afternoon open house from 1 to 4 pm.
The listing agent hosting the open house expressed surprise, noting that over 150 visitors had shown up the previous day. But on Sunday, the energy was different, leaving the real estate agent concerned.
Limiting Open House Hours Creates Urgency
There's an important lesson here for home sellers: sometimes, less is more. Extended open house hours across multiple days can dilute the sense of urgency and excitement around a property. Consider the restaurant analogy: a crowded line at a new eatery creates intrigue, prompting others to join the line just to see what's drawing the crowd. The same principle applies to open houses.
Instead of hosting lengthy open houses on both Saturday and Sunday, consider condensing your open house into a single, shorter window—perhaps Sunday from 2 to 4 pm. This focuses all potential buyers into a tighter timeframe, enhancing the perceived demand and making the property feel more exclusive.
Maximize Buyer Opportunities with Multiple Weekends
While shortening open house times is beneficial, limiting showings to just one weekend could prematurely exclude qualified buyers. Real buyers have real lives: they travel, attend family events, religious services, or have scheduling conflicts.
Ideally, homes should be open for at least two consecutive weekends. This approach ensures you capture the maximum number of serious buyers, potentially leading to more competitive offers.
In my own experience, a buyer I represent was eager to see this Highland Park gem but couldn't visit until the following weekend. Unfortunately, by then, it might be too late—the sellers already had two offers and planned to move forward quickly. A second weekend might've allowed additional qualified buyers to participate, possibly yielding even stronger bids.
Strategic Open Houses Benefit Sellers
Ultimately, a strategic approach to open houses—fewer days, shorter windows, but spanning at least two weekends—can significantly enhance buyer interest and boost the competitiveness of offers. For home sellers in Pasadena, Eagle Rock, Highland Park, or anywhere in Los Angeles, remember: the goal isn't quantity of showings, but quality and urgency.
If you're considering selling your home in Pasadena, Eagle Rock, Highland Park, or surrounding areas of Los Angeles, working with an experienced Los Angeles real estate agent can make all the difference. As a dedicated listing agent, I specialize in helping sellers craft the perfect marketing strategy to attract serious buyers quickly. Contact me today to discuss how we can make your home sale a success.
