Buyer / Seller · Open Houses
Open houses serve different purposes for buyers vs. sellers. Buyers should use them strategically as low-pressure tour opportunities. Sellers should use them as a marketing tool — but not over-rely on them. Here's the framework.
Quick Answer
What should you know about Coquitlam Open House Strategy?
Open houses serve different purposes for buyers vs. sellers. Buyers should use them strategically as low-pressure tour opportunities. Sellers should use them as a marketing tool — but not over-rely on them. Here Craig Johnston, Top 1% Team Member — Greater Vancouver REALTORS® and 47+ year Tri-Cities resident, can walk you through the local context. Free Strategy Call ends with a written one-page plan in 24 hours.
Verified · Buyer / Seller · Open Houses
For buyers — Pros
Tour without an appointment. See the property in real conditions (other people in the home). Compare neighbourhood inventory in one afternoon. Low-pressure interaction with the listing agent.
For buyers — Cons
Listing agent works for the seller, not you. Information given may be selective. You may face other buyers also looking at the property.
Buyer tip 1
Bring a checklist. Compare each home on the same criteria — windows, condition, lot, etc. Memory fades fast after 5+ tours.
Buyer tip 2
Don't overshare your enthusiasm. Listing agent will report your interest level back to seller. Stay neutral until you've made your decision.
Buyer tip 3
Ask specific questions: how many showings this week, any offers, why are they selling, what's their timeline. Listing agent may or may not answer.
Buyer tip 4
Don't sign in if you're already represented. Tell the agent: 'I'm working with [Craig Johnston / your REALTOR®].' Avoid being pulled into a representation conversation.
For sellers — Pros
Generates broader awareness. Some serious buyers prefer to discover via open house. Some neighbours attend (potential listing leads for the agent, but also genuine interest).
For sellers — Cons
Open houses by themselves rarely sell homes. Most Coquitlam sales come from MLS searches and private showings, not open houses. Open house attendance is often just-curious traffic.
Seller strategy
Use open house in first 7-14 days of listing while interest is highest. Don't run open houses on a stale listing — it signals desperation.
No pressure. No obligation. Just a 30-minute call to talk through your specific situation.
Open houses spark strong opinions. Used well, they're a useful tool in a wider marketing plan; leaned on alone, they disappoint. Here's how to think about them.
The purpose
An open house widens exposure to casual and first-time buyers who might not book a private showing, and it gives you live feedback on how the home shows and where it's priced.
Preparation
The same rules as any showing apply, amplified: decluttered, clean, bright and neutral. An open house puts your home in front of many people at once, so a weak first impression multiplies.
Timing
Open houses tend to work best early in a listing's life, when interest is highest, and on the weekend days buyers are actually out looking. Timing shapes turnout as much as promotion does.
Security
With strangers moving through, put away valuables, medications and personal documents, and make sure someone is managing the flow. Sensible precautions keep an open house a positive.
Reality check
Plenty of homes sell without one, and most open-house visitors are browsing rather than ready to write. Judge success by feedback and follow-up interest, not just the sign-in sheet.
For you
An open house complements strong photography, online reach and private showings — it doesn't replace them. The right question is whether it adds value for your specific home.
Whether an open house helps depends on the home, the neighbourhood and the moment in the market, so it's a decision to make case by case rather than by default.
Craig builds a marketing plan around each Coquitlam listing and will give you a straight answer on whether an open house earns its place for your home.
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