How well do "open house weekends" work?

[wanderings]

As offered by Bairstow Eves?

We've been trying to sell through a local agent for a couple of months; we've had about ten visits, one person who offered but then pulled out.

Bairstow Eves have been constantly trying to persuade us to sell through them. I rejected them because they charge more, and they do the hard sell so much (I'm a cynic who sternly rejects pressure selling, but maybe it's what we need here!) They've now told me they have an open house weekend in just over a week; it seems very tempting to try this, to see if they can actually get us an offer.

Has anyone does this, and can it be effective?

It just means they try and drum up a lot of interest by telling buyers that the property is only available to view on one day, usually a Saturday.

But if your house has already been on the market for a few months then it will have been seen by all serious buyers in the area anyway.

I am of the opinion that it doesn't really matter which agent you use (so long as they are not crooks and are not overcharging you) because people who are determined to buy a house like yours will find it whoever is selling it.

I don't understand what they mean that they they are having an open house weekend. Surely, once you instruct them then you can discuss having an open house/block viewing?

That aside, they work well from a seller's point of view: less disruption and people are more likely to put in an offer if they think someone else is snapping at their heels. If they don't want to offer, they are also more likely to give a bit of honest feedback if they know there sre lots of other viewers - it feels less personal.

Open house viewings work really well when the house is in great demand, seeing the 'competition' works people up into a frenzy. It worked for the house I am currently buying!

I like the idea of them - mainly the making it beautifully tidy just once, not on 10 different days
Worked for my brother 18months ago - had an open day straight off, 6 or 7 people came round, several offers, and 2 got into a bidding war and offered above the asking price. I mean, it was a nice house, but what a result!

They are working very well in this area, and help the seller I think. Property here is flying so instead of drip feeding viewings the seller can go out for 2 hours, 15 people traipse around beautifully presented house, all make their offers then the vendor chooses. All over and done with in a weekend.
We have been to a few over the years, some have been quite funny, lots of puffing of chests going on lol