Touring Homes in 2025: Should You Attend an Open House or Book a Private Tour?
When you’re ready to start house hunting, one of the first questions to come up is how you want to see homes. You’ve got two main options: attend a public open house or schedule a private tour with your real estate agent.
Each method has its place—and depending on where you are in your buying journey, one might be more effective than the other. As your local guide through the Ventura County market, I want you to feel confident about every step, including how you view potential homes.
Let’s explore the pros and cons of each experience—and how to make the most of your time, whichever route you take.
What to Expect at an Open House
An open house is typically held on a weekend, open to the public, and allows potential buyers to come and go without an appointment. It’s a casual way to check out a home—and sometimes, the competition.
Pros of Open Houses:
- No pressure: Great for early-stage buyers who want to get a feel for different neighborhoods or styles.
- Explore freely: You can walk through the home at your own pace.
- Compare multiple homes: If there are several open houses nearby, you can make a day of it and tour several homes back-to-back.
- Opportunity to observe: Watch how others react to the home—it can offer clues about its potential popularity or drawbacks.
Cons of Open Houses:
- Less personalized attention: Agents may be busy greeting other attendees and can’t always answer every question on the spot.
- Lack of privacy: You’re walking through with other buyers, which can make it hard to have honest conversations.
- Limited availability: Not every home is held open—some are by appointment only.
Why Private Tours Offer a More Tailored Experience
A private showing is just what it sounds like: a one-on-one tour arranged through your agent. These are especially valuable when you’re serious about buying or when a property is in high demand.
Benefits of a Private Tour:
- More time and focus: You get uninterrupted access to explore the home in detail and ask questions.
- Honest feedback space: You and I can talk openly about pros, cons, layout, pricing, and offer strategy—without worrying about other buyers nearby.
- Second or third looks: Private tours are ideal for follow-up visits when you’re narrowing down your options.
- Better for complex needs: If you have mobility considerations, multi-gen living plans, or specific renovation questions, we can evaluate the space more thoroughly.
Possible Downsides:
- Scheduling required: Private tours need to be coordinated, which can take more time.
- Time-sensitive: In a fast-moving market, waiting for a private showing could mean missing out on a property with multiple offers.
Which Option Is Right for You?
Choose an Open House If You’re:
- Early in your home search
- Exploring new neighborhoods or price points
- Still figuring out what features matter most
- Curious but not quite ready to make an offer
Opt for a Private Tour If You’re:
- Pre-approved and actively looking to buy
- Ready to make competitive offers
- Touring a property that just listed (or is getting lots of attention)
- Evaluating layout, condition, or investment potential
My Advice? Do Both—Strategically
Open houses are a great way to gather ideas and get your bearings. But once you’re serious about a home, scheduling a private showing gives us space to slow down, assess thoroughly, and talk through next steps.
And here’s the best part—I’ll help guide you through both. Whether it’s mapping out a Sunday open house tour or securing a quick private showing for a just-listed gem, we’ll make sure your home search feels informed, strategic, and comfortable.
It’s About Fit—Not Just Format
At the end of the day, whether you’re walking into a buzzing open house or stepping through the door of a quiet, private showing, the goal is the same: to find a home that fits your life, your timeline, and your future.
If you’re ready to start your search—or want to talk through how we can view homes in a way that works best for you—let’s connect. I’ll make sure every step of your journey, from open house to offer, is handled with care and clarity.
Because finding the right home starts with the right approach—and the right guide.
