Tips & Advice
How many showings does it take to sell a house anyway?
Looking at pre-pandemic numbers, from April to August of 2019, the average home sale included 3.5 showings per week on the market with an average time on the market of 60-90 days. Nationally, home sellers and realtors said it took an average of 24 showings from the day their houses went on the market until closing.
Not all showings result in offers, and some showings take place after the seller has accepted an offer. Buyers can still make offers, and sellers can accept them as backup offers, in case their first offer falls through. Some buyers just want to see as many houses as possible to compare what is available in a certain price range, and some will book showings, but may not enter the house, or even cancel last minute. This is normal, and to be expected.
You have a couple of options while selling your house. You definitely need to be out of the house at the time a potential buyer walks through your home, but that doesn’t mean you need to move out. Really, you have two options: move out during the sale or plan your life to be flexible around showings. Each option has tradeoffs against the other; mostly cost vs. convenience.
Some people move out to stage their house and rent an AirBnB or take a trip so that realtors and buyers can schedule a showing anytime. This option requires a fair bit of planning and upfront cost to travel or rent another place to stay.
Others continue to live in the house, asking for a certain amount of notice, so that they can tidy up and leave the house empty for a showing. This option requires less upfront cost and planning, but it can be complicated on a daily basis. Sellers with small children or who work from home may not be able to pick up and leave the home quickly enough for most showings.
It is more convenient day to day, but more expensive to leave a stay somewhere else. And it’s less expensive but a bit more hectic to live in the home while selling.
Selling a house takes time, and showings can require a fair amount of time, energy, and preparation. But remember, if you do decide to sell, you have options for how you make room for showings. Just make sure that you weigh the financial cost against your own time and convenience.
We understand that selling a house is a big commitment and this can feel like a lot. We’re here to help. If you’d like more information or a chance to ask questions, we have people (real people) ready to answer a call.
