Should you do an open House? - Metro Detroit home selling tips

When I list a home in Oakland County I usually cover the subject of holding an open house?  Should you do an open house when trying to sell your Oakland County home?

When the National Association of Realtors puts out their annual survey they say that the percentage of homes sold via an open house is less than 2% nationwide.  In some parts of the country open houses still work.  In the metro Detroit area they do not work so well.  It is not uncommon to hold an open house to have no home buyers come through it at all.  Here in the suburbs it is an excellent open house if 10 buyers walk through.

I would say the average Southeastern Michigan open house only has 2-3 buyers come through the home.  The problem is the buyers may not be qualified to buy, may not even be looking for a home, or may be a neighbor just checking out what your home is like.

I have had people come through an house when they were garage saleing.  I have had people tell they go through open houses to get decorating ideas.  I once was doing an open house (3000+ square foot) in South Lyon and a looker came through.  She was looking to downsize her 2200 square foot house.  Yet she was browsing a 3000+ square foot house to spend some time.  None of these people are serious buyers.  A real estate agent would not even take these people to that house.

So when you have an open house you may have 3 people come through the house, but none of them real buyers for your home.  So why waste the time have your home open.  Add in the security risk it just is not the best way of advertising your Michigan home for sale.    

If you decide to let your Michigan real estate agent hold an open house you must put your valuables away.  Little items like Ipads, cellular phones, and jewelry should be put away.  Otherwise they may grow legs.   Last year there was a gang of thieves working open houses.  They caught that gang.  This year another house was robbed.  It is impossible for any agent to watch all of the house or all of the lookers.

So in my opinion with the possibility of theft and the low probability of selling your home I would say holding an open house is a waste of time.  That is based on my experience.  I have advertised open houses heavily and still have not had a good turnout.  The only person that really benefits from holding an open house is the realtor because they may get a another buyer out of it.

Whether you have a lakefront home for sale in Oakland County Michigan or a house in St. Clair Shores your goal is to get the home advertised everywhere you can on the internet.  Feel free to