Open House vs Private Showing: Which One Gets You the Advantage in LA & Ventura County?

If you’re on the hunt for a home in LA or Ventura County—or even just browsing the listings—you’ve likely seen your fair share of open house signs. But are these open houses the best way to check out homes? Or do private showings provide a better strategic advantage?

The reality is that each method serves a different purpose. Depending on where you are in your home-buying journey, one might be more effective than the other.

In our current market—where desirable homes can sell quickly and buyers need to be prepared—understanding how and when to tour properties can be just as crucial as knowing what you want.

Let’s break it down.

What’s the Point of an Open House?

Open houses usually take place on weekends, right after a home hits the market. They’re meant to generate interest and attract as many potential buyers as possible in a short time frame.

For buyers, open houses offer one key advantage: accessibility. You don’t need an appointment or an agent to step inside. If you’re just starting your search or want to see what’s available in a specific neighborhood, open houses are a great way to gather information quickly.

The Pros:

• Low-pressure browsing: You can pop in and out of multiple homes in one afternoon without any commitment.
• Market research: Open houses are useful for comparing price points, layouts, finishes, and neighborhoods—especially if you’re narrowing down your options.
• Observing demand: A crowded open house indicates competition. If it’s quiet, that might suggest a good opportunity.

The Cons:

• Surface-level access: With other visitors around, it’s tough to take your time or ask in-depth questions.
• No privacy: You won’t have much room to reflect or explore the home at your own pace.
• Missed opportunities: By the time you decide you’re interested, another buyer may have already scheduled a private showing or made an offer.

When Private Showings Give You the Edge

Private showings take a bit more effort. Your agent has to arrange them, and you’ll often need to be pre-approved, but they provide a more in-depth and strategic experience.

If you’re serious about buying, private showings are where the real work happens. You get to see the home on your terms, without distractions, and you can ask detailed questions and make meaningful observations.

The Pros:

• Focused attention: Your agent is there to discuss pros, cons, and context—like price history, time on market, or comparable listings.
• Unfiltered experience: You can open closets, check storage space, test natural lighting, and explore layout flow without an audience.
• Better timing: With private showings, you can often get in early—before an open house is even scheduled—and have time to evaluate whether to act.

The Cons:

• Requires coordination: You need to schedule a time with your agent and the seller’s agent, which may limit access based on availability.
• Less spontaneous: Unlike an open house, you can’t just walk in on a whim—you’ll need to plan ahead.
• Expectations of readiness: Especially in competitive markets, agents may assume that anyone requesting a private showing is prepared to make a decision quickly.

What Buyers Often Miss

Many buyers don’t realize that when and how you tour a home can significantly impact your ability to compete for it.

Imagine a new listing goes live on a Thursday. The open house isn’t until Sunday. Serious buyers who are working closely with an agent might book private showings on Friday or Saturday—and submit offers before the open house even happens.

This scenario is common in our market. It serves as a reminder: if you're relying solely on open houses, you might already be a step behind.

Private showings give you more time to think critically, more privacy to evaluate what truly matters, and more opportunity to act quickly if the home feels right.

When to Choose One Over the Other

If you're just starting your home search and figuring out what you want, open houses are a great way to begin. They allow you to casually explore different layouts, neighborhoods, and price points without any commitment or the need to coordinate with an agent.

As you start to narrow things down and see homes you could actually envision living in, it’s time to shift toward private showings. Use open houses to gather ideas—but rely on private showings to make confident decisions.

Once you're ready to buy, private showings should become your primary strategy. They allow you to move quickly, examine homes in detail, and submit strong offers without waiting for a crowded weekend event. If you’re depending solely on open houses at this stage, you might miss out on the best opportunities.

Touring Tactics: What to Pay Attention to in Either Setting

• Natural light: Check how the lighting changes at different times of day if you can.
• Noise: Is the home near a busy road, school, or construction site?
• Storage: Closet and cabinet space often gets overlooked during quick tours.
• Layout: Walk through as if you're living there—does the flow feel right?
• Condition: Look past staging. Are there signs of deferred maintenance?

Bring a checklist, take photos (if allowed), and debrief with your agent after each tour to keep your impressions fresh.

Bottom Line: The Advantage Is in the Strategy

In fast-moving markets like LA and Ventura County, buyers need more than just Zillow alerts—they need a plan. This includes understanding the best way to tour homes based on their stage, urgency, and market conditions.

Open houses are a useful tool for exploration. But if you’re serious about buying—or trying to secure the right home in a competitive market—private showings provide more clarity, context, and control.