Until Zillow changed the way people shopped for homes in 2006 and iPhones replaced magazines and classified ads in 2007, open houses were one of the primary ways buyers typically found a home in Phoenix. They picked an area they liked, searched the classifieds, then spent weekends driving, looking for open house signs. If a buyer wanted a Scottsdale school district, they would research the neighborhoods in that district and take a Sunday drive down Scottsdale Road, looking for open house signs.
Today, less than 1% of homes are sold from holding an open house.
Deeper research suggests that the actual number is much lower because surveys don’t account for the fact that participants saw the open house advertised online and would have chosen to view the home anyway. Still, the open house provided an easy opportunity to gain access. Bottom line, they again found the home online and not from a sign.
In our modern times, with AI and information at our fingertips at any moment, buyers want to know what they will see before they waste time searching for a random open house. Following the “Bread Crumb” open house arrows through neighborhoods, only to find the ugly home at the end of the street with two bedrooms your six kids need to share is not productive. Sorry, free cookies won’t change their minds.
WHAT DOES WORK TO SELL A HOME?
Three proven ways to sell your home in this market today.
✅Accurate Pricing.
Price it right when you launch. Understand that buyers don’t want to be rejected or insult sellers with lower offers. Don’t “Start High” thinking buyers can always make an offer. Price based on comps and not what you spent on the home. I have met sellers who added up years of landscaping costs, monthly payments, repairs, updates, and even interest payments to establish value. Installing a new hot water heater or repairing a broken disposal does not increase the value. It is like changing the oil in your car.
Homes require maintenance. That upkeep does not directly contribute to your home’s value dollar for dollar.
Many online tools provide an estimated price, but it’s best to consult a professional. Cash home buyers and Realtors have access to tools and data that offer very accurate pricing. Listen to the professionals.
✅ First impressions matter.
Clean up your home and make sure your floors and countertops are clear and clean. No dirty dishes, and make your beds just like your momma taught you. Open window coverings and remove extra items. Hire a professional photographer because they are worth every penny to highlight your home. Ensure your front yard and entryway are in top condition, as you want to impress potential buyers and encourage them to enter your home. The most critical time on the market is the first 10 days. Make sure to make the most of this time, so don’t start marketing, thinking you can update photos later or clean up the yard once you’ve tested the market. That hurts your chances to sell at the best price. If you are not ready to list, then wait until you are.
✅ Work with an expert.
Finding an expert who is familiar with the Arizona market and up-to-date on current market conditions is essential. Phoenix is a large city, and each neighborhood has its own unique flavor and character. Scottsdale families love the convenient shopping, while Peoria is the up-and-coming area, staking its future on growth in mega businesses moving to the area.
Experienced agents and cash home buyers can provide you with real-time, accurate pricing that shows sellers all their options for selling their home. Whether a seller wants a quick cash offer or has time to list and sell the house, an expert in real estate can give you all the options available and explain the benefits of each.
Three Reasons Not to Hold an Open House.
Open houses are proven to be not only ineffective in selling, but also helpful in creating business opportunities for an agent. Beyond a marketing opportunity, open houses carry real risks for sellers in Phoenix.
✅ Accidents: A person would never open their house and invite anyone who drives by to come in and walk around the house. An invite makes the owner of the property liable for any potential accident. Whether it’s a trip and fall or any other accident, when a person is allowed access, you are liable for any injuries that may occur. Businesses carry insurance for this, but standard homeowners do not.
✅ Theft: Unless you plan to follow every person through the home, it just takes a moment to open a drawer and grab a watch or a personal item. What if they see your travel plans on the desk and plan to come back when you are gone, uninvited? It’s scary that our world needs to think this way, but it is something we need to be aware of.
✅ Safety: Think overall safety for your family. You have absolutely no idea who that person is who is walking through your home. As a father and grandparent, I really don’t want any stranger walking through my home.
In short, an open house can expose you to unnecessary risks without providing significant benefits in terms of selling your home.
Let’s Get Your Home Sold
In today’s market, open houses are more about perception than results—and they may expose you to more risks than rewards. If you’re serious about selling, you need a strategy that works online and appeals to qualified buyers right away. Call the team at QuickCashPhoenixHomes.com. Come to get a fair offer and see all the options available that we use to sell our homes 3 times faster than the average agent in Arizona.