What Is the Best Time for an Open House? A Seller’s Guide to Higher Attendance

When you’re  getting ready to list your home on the market, choosing the best time for an open house matters more than you might think. It can affect how much attention your home gets —and how fast it sells. 

So whether you are looking to sell your home in Anchorage, AK or Bozeman, MT this Redfin guide will help you choose the ideal time to host an open house to highlight your home’s strengths, bring in more buyers, and help stand out from the competition. 

Why timing matters

You have probably heard the phrase that timing is everything. In real estate, choosing the best time for an open house is one of the simplest ways to boost visibility and encourage stronger offers. 

Buyer activity fluctuates throughout the week and even throughout the day. Scheduling your open house when buyers are most active can boost foot traffic and increase the chances of receiving stronger offers.

Natural light and weather conditions also play a role. An open house scheduled during a bright, inviting time of day can make your home feel warmer, more spacious, and more appealing.

Competition matters too. If multiple homes in your area host open houses simultaneously, you may have to compete for buyer attention. Picking a strategic time helps your home stand out instead of blending in.

Ultimately, timing affects first impressions—and first impressions drive decisions. Choosing the right moment ensures more buyers walk through the door, stay longer, and leave with a stronger interest in your home.

Choosing the best day of the week

Your choice of day can significantly impact both attendance and buyer interest. While weekends remain a strong favorite, weekday evening open houses are rising in popularity in several markets.

• Sunday afternoons consistently draw the largest number of buyers because most people have finished their morning activities and are ready to browse homes.
• Saturday late morning or early afternoon can also work well, especially in highly competitive markets where weekend traffic is strong.
• Weekday evenings sometimes make sense if your target buyer works long hours, but they generally require more marketing to achieve the same turnout.

Picking the best time of day

Choosing the right time of day can be just as important as choosing the right day. Daylight, buyer schedules, and neighborhood activity all influence how your home feels—and how many people show up.

Late morning to early afternoon is typically ideal.
Most open houses perform best between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. This window captures buyers who want to start their day without rushing, enjoy homes in natural daylight, and still have time to visit multiple properties in one trip.

Natural light can be a game-changer.
Buyers respond well to bright, welcoming spaces. Hosting your open house when your home gets the best natural light can make rooms look larger, warmer, and more inviting. If your home shines in the afternoon sun, schedule accordingly.

Consider the neighborhood’s rhythm.
In some areas, mornings are peaceful and appealing. In others, afternoons offer a livelier, more energetic feel. Think about what time best highlights your location—quiet streets, active parks, or scenic views.

Avoid early mornings and late afternoons.
In most cases, very early or late open houses compete with busy schedules, low turnout, or dim lighting. However, there are exceptions. A home with stunning sunrise light, dramatic sunset views, or unique nighttime landscaping may benefit from a less traditional time slot.

Ultimately, choose a time that makes your home look—and feel—its best.
Aligning your open house with the right lighting and buyer availability gives you the best chance at strong turnout and serious interest.

Seasonal and location considerations

The best time for an open house isn’t the same year-round—or across different regions. Weather patterns, daylight hours, and local lifestyle rhythms all influence when buyers are most active and when your home will look its best.

Seasonal factors

Spring and early summer are peak showing seasons.
Longer daylight hours, warmer temperatures, and an influx of motivated buyers make these months ideal for open houses in many markets.

Fall can be highly effective in the right conditions.
Crisp air, colorful foliage, and a calmer real estate market can create a welcoming atmosphere—especially if your home has great curb appeal.

Winter requires strategic timing.
Shorter days, cold weather, and holiday schedules can mean lower turnout. If you’re hosting an open house in winter, aim for the brightest, warmest part of the day and ensure walkways are clear and safe.

Location-based factors

Northern climates:
Regions with long winters (like the Midwest or Alaska) benefit from hosting open houses during midday when temperatures are warmer and natural light is strongest.

Sunny or warmer states:
In places like Arizona or Florida, midday heat can be intense. Early afternoon or late-morning open houses may work better to keep buyers comfortable.

Coastal and scenic areas:
If your home highlights a view—ocean, mountains, lakes—consider scheduling around the time of day when those views shine brightest.

Urban markets:
In busy cities, evenings or Sundays may attract more buyers who work long hours and prefer to tour after weekend errands or brunch.

Tourist-heavy regions:
Areas with seasonal tourism may see spikes or dips in buyer activity depending on the time of year. Plan around major local events and peak visitor seasons to avoid competing with heavy traffic or crowds.

How to maximize the best time for an open house

Choosing the right time for your open house is only half the equation—making the most of that window is what truly helps you attract buyers. With a thoughtful strategy, you can turn the ideal timing into stronger turnout, better impressions, and more serious offers.

1. Announce your open house early—ideally several days (or even a week) in advance—so buyers have time to plan and fit it into their schedules.
2. Choose a time window that shows your home at its absolute best, whether that’s when natural light pours in, the neighborhood is quiet, or views are most impressive.
3. Prepare the home thoroughly: clean, declutter, depersonalize, and stage each room to highlight your home’s strongest features.
4. Promote the event across multiple channels, including listing platforms, social media, neighborhood groups, email lists, and well-placed directional signs on the day of the event.
5. Check for scheduling conflicts by reviewing local calendars for holidays, sporting events, festivals, or other major community activities that could compete for attention.
6. Make the experience welcoming with comfortable temperature settings, pleasant scents, soft background music, and good lighting.
7. Provide informational materials like flyers, feature sheets, or neighborhood guides so buyers leave with something memorable.
8. Gather visitor information using a sign-in sheet or digital form, and follow up promptly while their interest—and the details of your home—are still top of mind.
9. Encourage questions and conversations to better understand what buyers are looking for and what elements of your home stand out to them.
10. Review feedback after the event so you can make small improvements or updates before future showings.

Read>> Preparing Your Home for an Open House

Mistakes to avoid

Even with the right planning, certain timing missteps can limit turnout and reduce buyer interest. Avoiding these common mistakes helps ensure your open house attracts the most qualified buyers and leaves a strong impression.

1. Hosting too early or too late: Early mornings and late afternoons often lead to low turnout—unless your home has sunrise or sunset features worth showcasing.
2. Overlapping with major events: Local festivals, sports games, or holidays can pull buyers away, so always check the community calendar first.
3. Ignoring natural light: Choosing a time when your home looks dim or shadowed can make it feel less inviting and smaller than it is.
4. Not considering local buyer habits: Different areas have different peak touring times; ignoring them can reduce visibility and buyer interest.
5. Competing with several nearby open houses: When too many homes host at the same time, buyer traffic gets split—shift your time to stand out.
6. Providing too little notice: Buyers plan their tours ahead of time, so announcing your open house late can significantly hurt turnout.
7. Overlooking the weather: Extreme heat, snow, or storms can deter visitors; choose a time of day with the most favorable conditions.
8. Not preparing the home for that time: Even the best time slot won’t help if your home doesn’t look bright, clean, and welcoming.
9. Being inflexible with early or late visitors: Some buyers arrive early or linger—rigid timing can cause you to miss serious prospects.
10. Delaying follow-up: Without timely follow-up, even strong interest can fade quickly after the open house.

Read>> House Showing Do’s and Dont’s

Final thoughts

Choosing the right time for your open house can boost turnout and attract more serious buyers. With help from your real estate agent, you can pinpoint the best timing for your market and set your home up for a successful showing.

FAQ: Best time for an open house

What is the best time for an open house?

The best time for an open house is usually Sunday afternoon when buyers are free and natural light highlights your home.

Is Saturday a good day for an open house? 

Yes. Saturday late morning or early afternoon can work well, especially in markets where weekend traffic is strong.

Does the season affect the best time for an open house?

Absolutely. Spring and summer support later afternoon showings, while fall and winter often benefit from earlier start times.

Can weekday open houses be effective?

They can be, especially in urban areas where buyers work late. However, they typically need stronger promotion to match weekend turnout.

How long should an open house last? 

Most effective open houses last two to three hours. This gives buyers flexibility without stretching your event too long.

What should sellers avoid when choosing the best time for an open house?

Avoid early mornings, late evenings, major local events, and times when lighting is poor. These choices can limit attendance and reduce appeal.

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