Seller Series, Part 6: Showings and Open Houses — What Happens Once Your Home Goes Live

So, you’re thinking about selling your home in 2026.  Part 6 of my multi-part Seller Series – Preparing Your Home For Sale in 2026 – will give you a look at how we use open houses and personal showings to bring in as many potential buyers as possible. Part 1 focused on Starting Early and Making a First Impression. Part 2 addressed living in your home while selling or marketing the home vacant. Part 3 was all about Staging and Photography. Part 4 highlighted our Pricing Strategies. Part 5 introduced you to how I market your home.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Seller Series, Part 6: Showings and Open Houses — What Happens Once Your Home Goes Live 🏡

Once your home is active on the multiple listing service, the next phase begins: getting buyers through the door. By this point, most buyers have already seen your home online. Now they want to step inside, get a feel for the space, and imagine their life unfolding there. This stage is exciting, a little unpredictable, and absolutely essential to attracting the right buyer.

Here’s what to expect — and how we’ll navigate it together.

First Look: From Online Browsing to In‑Person Impressions 👀

Buyers typically encounter your home online first. High‑quality photos, floor plans, and virtual tours help them decide whether it’s worth seeing in person. Once they’re intrigued, they’ll either attend an open house or schedule a private showing through their Realtor.

Their goal is simple: Does this home feel right? Our goal is equally simple: Make it easy for them to find out.

Open Houses: Creating Momentum and Access 🚪

Open houses are one of the most effective ways to generate early interest and energy around your listing.

Thursday Broker Tour 🤝

Windermere brokers preview new Windermere listings each Thursday. This gives agents a chance to see your home before bringing their clients — and often sparks early conversations and referrals.

Opening Weekend: Saturday + Sunday📅

I like to host open houses on both days of your first weekend on the market. This is when buyer curiosity is highest and when many people are actively touring homes.

You’ll see a mix of visitors:

• Buyers seeing the home for the first time
• Buyers returning for a second look
• Neighbors who may know someone looking
• Agents gathering intel for their clients

After the first weekend, the frequency of open houses is entirely up to you. I’m happy to host additional ones, and if I’m unavailable, I can arrange for a trusted Windermere colleague to step in.

Agent Previews and Private Showings 🔑

Some agents — myself included — like to preview a home before bringing clients. It helps us determine whether the home is a good match and how to position it in the context of the buyer’s needs.

When time is tight or demand is high, we’ll schedule private showings directly with the buyer present. These appointments are typically 30 minutes and give buyers the chance to explore the home at their own pace.

Scheduling Showings: Flexibility Helps, but You’re Always in Control 📲

If the home is vacant, showings are easy to accommodate. If you’re living in the home, we’ll work together to create a schedule that respects your routines while still giving buyers access.

A few things to know:

• You approve every showing time (unless you prefer I handle approvals for you).
• The more flexible you can be, the more buyers we can accommodate.
• We’ll use an online scheduling system that keeps everything organized and transparent.

You can choose whether showing requests come directly to you or through me first — whatever makes the process smoother for your household.

Safety and Security: How We Protect Your Home 🔒

Every showing is tracked through a secure lockbox system. Only licensed agents with verified credentials can access the key, and every entry is logged. You’ll always know who has been in your home and when.

The Hardest Part: Living in a Home That’s Always “Show‑Ready” 🧺

This is the part every seller feels. When you’re still living in the home, keeping it tidy and ready for last‑minute showings can be the most challenging aspect of the entire process.

A few strategies help:

• Create a quick‑reset routine for surfaces, floors, and bathrooms
• Use baskets or bins for fast clutter pickup
• Keep a “showing bag” ready so you can step out easily if needed
• Remember: this phase is temporary — and it pays off

Buyers aren’t expecting perfection, but they do respond to homes that feel clean, calm, and cared for.

What This Stage Really Means ✨

Showings and open houses are where your home stops being a listing and starts being a possibility for someone else. It’s where momentum builds, where buyers fall in love, and where the right offer begins to take shape.

My job is to make this stage as smooth, predictable, and stress‑free as possible — and to ensure every buyer has the opportunity to see your home at its best.

Let’s Talk!

If you’re thinking about selling this year and want a clear, step‑by‑step plan — not guesswork — I’d love to walk you through the process. Every home, timeline, and seller is different, and I’m here to make sure you feel prepared, supported, and confident from the first showing to the final signature. Reach out anytime if you’d like to talk strategy or explore what selling could look like for you.