Ahh yes, open houses.  I have a new listing who required me to hold open houses in order to get the listing.  They loved the marketing plan I provided, but were confident open houses were needed in addition.   My feelings on open houses are terrible.  I tell all potential sellers that I do not hold open houses (especially during the Saints games).  The reason?  Never had any success.  After doing them for years and getting nothing out of them, I told myself, just do them for your client, to make them happy.  But now I feel I offer enough, including broker opens, to justify not doing an open house.
     Many will hold open houses to get new clients.  From my experience most of the walk throughs are usually nosy neighbors.  I have gotten contact info before from a walk through, but never turned them into a closed deal.  Am I doing something wrong?
    Don't' get me wrong I will do an open house if it is a requirement of the listing agreement, or if there a special case where the house may bring in 20-30 people, but that is rare to none.  
     Lastly about open houses, have you even had people walk though a house if you hold it during your local NFL teams game?  I haven't even attempted that, but every Sunday on the way to the Superdome I see open house signs plaquing the sidewalks.  That can't possibly work, does it?  Seems like the only time to have an open houses during the season would be on bye weeks and when your team has a non traditional playing day.
     Do you do open houses?  If so, is it to satify your client, gain new buyers, or do you think it could sell the house?