HomeBlogHome SellingPros and Cons of an Open House in Arnold, MO Share on Like what you see? Share with a friend. Pros and Cons of an Open House in Arnold, MO Chris Kirshenboim | October 13, 2020 Last updated August 10, 2026 Most houses do not sell to someone who walked in off the street on a Sunday afternoon. Serious buyers book private showings with their agent. That single fact reframes the pros and cons of an open house, because the event is mainly a marketing tool for the listing rather than a sales channel for your home. On the useful side: extra exposure in the first two weeks, feedback on the asking price, and a chance for neighbors to tell a friend who wants into the Arnold school district. On the other side: you lose a weekend, you leave with your pets and children, strangers walk through unsupervised rooms, and you get lookers who are twelve months from buying. Weigh the open house pros and cons against how your house shows. A tidy, updated home in a busy neighborhood benefits. A house mid repair does not, and the visitors will remember the condition rather than the layout. Chris runs the company from an office in Webster Groves with a 4.9 rating across 368 Google reviews and an A+ BBB accreditation. If the showings are the part you dread, we buy houses in Arnold as-is with no open house at all, and the pros and cons of selling to a direct buyer sets out that comparison. How we buy houses covers the visit and the offer. Is an Open House right for your Arnold, MO home? Will it be worth the time and energy? As local Missouri home buyers, we will review the pros and cons of an open house so you can decide if it's right for you in this blog post. Pros Of An Open House In Arnold, MO More Exposure In Missouri The fact is, you may not get a buyer from the open house itself. In fact, more homes are sold via private showings. However, when you are trying to sell, you should let as many people know about the property as possible. Your nosy neighbor could wander in from off the street. Sure, they aren't buying for themselves, but they might know someone who is. The idea of "picking" your neighbors will be appealing to many people. Having an open house is a great way to give your property exposure. More people seeing your home will never be a bad thing. A Nice Environment For MO Buyers An Open House usually brings in all types of people. Some people simply love seeing homes. Others are ready to make an offer on the spot. But what most people love, is that they are typically able to walk around the home without any high-pressure sales. This gives them the chance to get a feel for the property and the ability to imagine themselves living there. While a private showing is more one-on-one, an Open House will allow buyers to look around at their own pace without feeling rushed. Cons Of An Open House In Arnold, Missouri Stressful In Arnold, MO Most sellers stay away during an open house. It can be awkward for everyone. You probably don't want to watch people judging every detail of your home. Buyers do not want to feel as if they are intruding upon you, nor do they want to feel as if you are breathing down their necks. You will need to get the property spotless and then hit the road. You should plan to be away for a few hours. Cleaning, staging, leaving, and wondering who is walking through your home can be very stressful! Security Issues In Arnold Speaking of people walking through your home, the idea of it can be a little scary! Thieves can take advantage during an open house, so make sure valuables are locked away. Put away all personal items, so nothing goes missing. People will also use an Open House as a chance to stake out the property. Most agents have an eye for these types, but some people choose to send a friend in to drop by to make sure everything is going well. Dealing With Unqualified Homebuyers In Missouri An open house will attract anyone and everyone. You might have people off the street, walking in, and attempting a verbal offer. Getting offers from unqualified buyers can waste everyone's time. Make sure your agent knows to only get offers from individuals who have been pre-qualified. Sell My House In Arnold, MO Holding an open house is part of a much larger strategy. Many agents hold an open house to help increase their own exposure. And while it may not sound like it, this can be very good for you. A Realtor who knows how to market themselves and who has a lot of connections will likely be able to draw a crowd for your home. Any exposure of your property can be beneficial, just don't expect a ton of legitimate written offers on the day of. Don't rely solely on an open house when you sell your house in St. Louis, but do appreciate an agent who is utilizing ALL resources to sell your home. Thinking About Selling Your Arnold, Mo House? Find Out What Our Team Can Do For You! Send Us A Message Or Give Us A Call Now! (314) 334-1481 FAQs Frequently Asked Questions Do open houses actually sell homes in Arnold, MO? + Occasionally, but most contracts come from private showings booked through a buyer's agent. Treat the open house as marketing for the listing rather than a likely sale. Is it safe to hold an open house? + Put away medication, mail, spare keys, small valuables and anything with your account numbers on it. Ask the agent to record every visitor's name at the door. Can I sell in Arnold without holding an open house? + Yes. A direct as-is sale involves one walkthrough by the buyer and no public showings, which is the usual reason sellers with tenants or young children choose it.