Best Time to Have an Open House

Timing can double your turnout. Here’s when most buyers are searching, touring, and ready to visit—plus how FSBO sellers can get their open house seen everywhere.

⏰ Why Timing Matters

Buyers plan visits around weekends and convenience. Add your open house to the MLS so it syndicates to Realtor.com, Zillow, and “open house near me” searches.

  • Most searches happen on weekend mornings
  • Competing listings cluster on Sundays—plan to stand out
  • MLS syndication ensures your event appears in app filters

See: Open House Near Me: How FSBO Sellers Get Found

📅 Best Days for Open Houses

  • Sunday afternoon (1–4 PM): Peak attendance in most markets.
  • Saturday late morning–early afternoon: Great secondary option; less competition in some areas.
  • Weekdays: Use for investor or relocation traffic; promote heavily online.

🕑 Best Times of Day

  • Midday to mid-afternoon: Ideal light, minimal schedule conflicts.
  • Morning (10–12): Works for retirees or low-traffic suburbs.
  • Twilight tours (5–7 PM): Great for condos, city homes, or properties with evening views.

📍 Adjust for Your Market

  • Weather: Aim for the best daylight window; avoid storms/heat peaks.
  • Local events: Don’t compete with big games or festivals if you can shift an hour.
  • Home type: Family neighborhoods prefer early afternoon; urban condos do well later.

🗺️ Get Your Open House Seen Everywhere

Add your open house to your MLS listing so it appears in Realtor.com, Zillow, and app filters buyers actually use.

  • Enter date/time in your MLS listing details (Brokerless supports this).
  • Refresh the event weekly if you’re hosting multiple weekends.
  • Use precise start/end times so apps show your home at the top.

New to MLS? Learn how listing on the MLS with Brokerless works.

✅ Prep & Promotion Checklist

  • Confirm time aligns with local peak traffic (usually Sun 1–4 PM)
  • Add the event to MLS; share on major portals and social
  • Directional signs day-of; tidy curb appeal and entry
  • Handouts with highlights, upgrades, and next steps to offer
  • Collect visitor info and follow up the same day

More prep ideas: Best Home Selling Tips

🔑 Bottom Line

The best time for an open house is when buyers are already out touring—typically Sunday afternoons. Pair smart timing with MLS exposure to maximize turnout.