How to find open houses near you: Helpful tips and what to expect

Open houses offer a convenient, straightforward way to see homes without making an appointment in advance. Online home shopping has transformed how buyers look for properties, but there’s no substitute for visiting a home yourself.

This guide will help you get the most from your open house visits, from locating showings in your area to knowing what to look for once you’re inside.

What is an open house?

An open house is a scheduled event where a home that is listed for sale is opened to the public for viewing. During an open house, potential buyers can do a walk-through, ask questions, and explore the home on their own. This differs from a private showing, which is a one-on-one tour available only to serious buyers rather than anyone who happens to be passing by.

Open houses typically happen on weekends, since that's when buyers have greater availability to tour a home. However, open houses can also take place on weekdays, especially during busy seasons.

While an open house is made available to the public, a broker open house is a viewing opportunity only for other real estate agents. It usually happens midweek and gives agents an opportunity to tour the home before other prospective buyers do.

How to find open houses in your area

Interested in house-hunting tips for your area? There are plenty of different ways to track down homes for sale near you that may be opening their doors to the public. Let’s look at a few strategies.

1. Search the internet

The internet can be a great place to scour for open houses, near and far. Many real estate listing websites will not only show you homes for sale in your area but also when you can come take a look at them in person. Starting by searching “open houses in x area” can help you narrow in on what you’re looking for.

Virtual open houses and showings are another online option that has grown significantly in popularity for those who want to buy a house online. Many listing websites now offer virtual tours, which use a video or 3D model of a home to give you a detailed look at a property’s interior.

2. Set app alerts

Most real estate apps allow their users to enable push notifications for open house listings. They show homes for sale in your area and other important information like housing market predictions in an area. You can get notifications of any schedule changes or short-notice events. These apps may also offer map-based browsing and real-time updates.

3. Take advantage of social media

Many real estate professionals promote open houses through social channels, and it's an easy way to get wind of upcoming open houses. You can narrow down showings by joining local real estate groups, community pages, or neighborhood hashtags with event posts.

One thing to note: some of this information could become out-of-date and less standardized, so you might want to use this as a secondary instead of a primary method.

4. Work with a real estate agent

Working with an agent isn't required, and as a prospective buyer, you can attend open houses independently. Real estate agents have access to listing databases such as the multiple listing service (MLS), which is a database of for-sale homes in a given area. Real estate agents may also share open house schedules, which gives you another avenue to find showings.

5. Look for yard signs

One way is to drive around and look for yard signs that can help you discover open houses not yet listed online or on apps. Many sellers or agents place “Open House” signs outside homes or along main roads on the day of the event.

This works best if you're seeking open houses in a specific neighborhood and should be treated as a secondary method.

6. Contact local real estate offices

Even if you aren’t working with a buyer’s agent yet, you can contact local real estate offices to ask what open houses they might have coming up. This also gives you a chance to talk to agents in your area and potentially get an idea of who you may want to work with when starting your home buying journey.

What to expect during an open house

In addition to understanding strategies to help you find open houses in your area, it can also be helpful to know what to expect during an open house, particularly if you’ve never attended one before. Open houses work differently than individual showings, so knowing how they’re generally done beforehand can be beneficial. Here are some things to anticipate when you attend an open house:

• You might not meet the seller. Often, only the seller’s agent will be present at the open house, so don’t expect to be able to speak with the seller when you arrive.
• You may be asked to sign in. Once you get to the open house, you may be asked to leave your contact information on a sign-in sheet. This provides the seller’s agent an opportunity to follow up for feedback after the open house. Generally, you are not required to leave your contact information, but it may be helpful if you want the real estate agent to let you know about any future listings they might have.
• You’ll need to follow the house rules. Don’t be surprised if you’re asked to take off your shoes, wear a mask, or follow other house rules to keep the house looking clean. If it’s your first time attending an open house, you may want to ask your REALTOR® about open house etiquette so you can go in feeling more confident and comfortable.
• You’ll see your competition. There will likely be several other interested potential buyers at an open house during the time you’re there. Try to respect the space of other potential home buyers as you walk around the house by waiting for them to leave a room before entering.

Tips for touring open houses

You’ll want to abide by the schedule and regulations put in place for the event by the seller or real estate agent in charge during the open house. You’ll also want to be organized and gather information about the houses you see so that you can possibly compare them later. Here are a few ideas to make the most of your open house experiences.

Make a schedule

If you plan on visiting multiple open houses, you’ll want to make sure you make a schedule for your day. That way, you’ll have time to thoroughly check out each property. Give yourself at least 30 – 45 minutes at each home you decide to tour to make sure you have time to see everything and ask any questions you might have.

When deciding which open houses to visit, you may want to account for the distance between each property and decide on the order in which you’ll stop by each home. If the open houses you’re visiting are on opposite sides of town, you may be able to save yourself the trouble of driving back and forth repeatedly in one day.

Take photos and notes

One of the great things about touring a home in person is that you get the chance to take your own photos. When looking at a home listing online, you only have access to photos posted by the seller or their listing agent.

If you see features in the home that interest you, take a picture or jot down some notes, especially if you’ll be looking at multiple homes in one day. Having a personal record of features you liked or disliked can be very useful when you’re deciding what homes you’re interested in later.

Ask plenty of questions

Don’t be afraid to ask lots of questions while you’re checking out a house. When seeing a home and neighborhood in person, you may notice things that you wouldn’t in an online listing, like a large mark on the carpet or some loud construction across the street. An open house is the perfect opportunity to ask the seller’s agent anything you might be curious about and hopefully get answers.

Observe the home carefully

Treat the house as if you're a guest there. Be careful not to move anything around on the tables, sit on furniture, or run your hands along the walls. Remember: the home is carefully staged to create an ambience and aesthetic and will need to be preserved for future open houses and private showings.

Be mindful of other visitors

Being courteous helps everyone have a positive experience. Ideally, that same level of respect can be extended to you.

Practicing basic "open house etiquette," such as not talking too loudly or getting too close to their personal space, lets them walk through the home and get a feel for the property free from distractions.

FAQ about how to find open houses near you

What days are open houses usually held?

Open houses are commonly held on weekends. That's because more people are free during the weekend, and it allows more buyers to attend without taking time off work. Some markets also offer weekday evening open houses, especially during busy listing periods in urban areas where buyers might work longer hours or when a seller wants to attract additional foot traffic. The exact viewing schedule for open houses depends on local market norms and the listing agent’s approach and strategy.

Do I need an appointment to attend an open house?

No appointment is typically needed for a public open house. These events are designed for buyers to walk through at any time during the posted hours. If a listing is not holding an open house or if you want a more detailed tour, you can request a private showing through your real estate agent.

Can I go to an open house without a real estate agent?

Yes, you can attend a public open house on your own, without the presence of a real estate agent. If you're already working with an agent, it's a good idea to let them know what open houses you attend. That way, they can follow up on your behalf if you like. You can also share your agent's information with the listing agent.

The bottom line: Finding and attending open houses can be key to your home-shopping success

If you’re interested in touring a home in person, there are many ways to find an open house near you, whether you’re using the Internet or just driving around. Once you find open houses to attend, be sure to make the most of it by asking questions, taking photos, and really considering if you can imagine yourself living in each home.

Before you start house hunting, you may want to consider beginning the mortgage application process. Having your initial approval in hand when you put in an offer can let the seller know you’re serious about buying their home and that you can afford to do so. If you’re ready to get started, you can start your mortgage application online with Rocket Mortgage today.