When a real estate agent secures a listing, their primary responsibility is to position the property for a successful sale. A critical part of that process is generating in-person showings. This means bringing qualified potential buyers through the door to experience the property firsthand.
While listing agents may not personally conduct every showing, their strategic decisions directly influence how many appointments the property attracts. And the more showings a listing generates, the greater its likelihood of securing a timely, competitive offer.
A common question among newer agents at Charles Rutenberg Realty Orlando is, “How many showings does it take to sell a house?” In this guide, we break down what you can expect, proven strategies to increase showings, and key tools for strengthening client satisfaction.
Average Number of Showings to Sell a House: Agent Tips
Home showings are a critical component of the sales process. When a potential buyer expresses interest, their real estate agent will schedule a tour of the property. As the listing agent, you will not be present for these appointments. However, that doesn’t mean the outcome is beyond your control. In fact, several strategic decisions you make directly contribute to influencing the number of showings your listing receives.
In this guide, we outline the key factors that affect showing activity and how you can leverage them to increase buyer traffic. We also answer the question new agents ask: What is the average number of showings needed to sell a house?
What Is a House Showing?
A house showing is a scheduled appointment for prospective buyers to tour a property in person. When doing so, they evaluate the home’s features, layout, structure, location, and overall condition.
Unlike an open house, however, house showings are generally one-on-one experiences. This allows the agent to market to unique buyers and create and deliver a more personalized level of service. Fundamentally, showings are one of the most crucial steps in the selling process.
This process serves as a strategic tool that allows agents and brokers the opportunity to showcase their skill sets. By highlighting the neighborhood, local market advantages, and the key value drivers of the property, they position the home competitively in the buyer’s mind. Ultimately, effective preparation, communication, and presentation are essential for a successful sale.
To learn more, visit: “How to Find Buyers and Build Key Networks.”
How Many Showings Does It Take to Sell a House?
The number of showings required to secure an offer varies based on current market conditions. In a buyer’s market, activity may be slower. In a seller’s market, you may see far more showings than average.
Generally, more homes receive 10 to 25 showings before attracting a serious offer. For context, the National Association of Realtors reported the average listing spent 33 days on the market in recent trends.
That said, a home can sell after just one showing when the right buyer walks through the door. Every property is different. However, if your listing has had more than 15 showings with no offers—or very few showings altogether—it is time to reassess. Review your pricing, presentation, and marketing strategies to ensure the home is positioned for success.
How to Get More House Showings
Price the listing for the current market.
The strongest driver of showing activity is accurate pricing that reflects current market trends. When a property is overpriced, buyer interest declines quickly. Prospects then shift their attention to comparable homes offered at a better value. However, pricing too low could cost your seller thousands—unless their priority is a rapid sale.
To determine the right price, rely on proven tools such as the Multiple Listing Service (MLS). This platform allows you to build neighborhood comparables and prepare a thorough Comparative Market Analysis (CMA).
From there, you can guide your seller towards a competitive price that attracts buyers. Additionally, it positions the property for a successful launch.
Upgrade the listing photos.
High-quality visuals are often the first element potential buyers evaluate when browsing a listing. If your property is not generating the level of attention you anticipated, consider upgrading the photography.
We strongly recommend investing in professional photos and videos. They accurately represent the home and meet the level of refinement today’s buyers expect. In fact, well-lit, expertly composed images significantly improve engagement and help homes sell 32% faster.
You can further elevate the presentation by arranging professional staging. A staging company can adjust the existing layout to highlight the home’s strengths and create a welcoming environment.
Agents found that 30% of staged homes sold faster than unstaged homes. Additionally, encourage the homeowner to enhance curb appeal if needed. These details collectively strengthen a buyer’s first impression and support more vigorous showing activity.
Add a floor plan or 3D tour.
Buyers value transparency and detail. Providing comprehensive visual information strengthens their confidence and encourages them to take the next step.
Go beyond standard photos and video by including a detailed floor plan or a Matterport-style virtual walkthrough. These additions increase engagement and help buyers assess whether the property aligns with their needs before scheduling an in-person visit.
This level of clarity is especially valuable for out-of-state buyers who must plan travel to tour the home. Offering a complete visual representation of the property reduces uncertainty and supports stronger, more qualified showing activity.
Learn more in our post, “Real Estate Lead Generation Ideas Every Successful Agent Uses.”
Write a listing description that sells the lifestyle.
You may not be a professional writer, but a well-crafted listing description is a powerful tool. It should do more than restate what buyers can already see in the photos. Instead, focus on conveying the lifestyle the property offers. Highlight community amenities, school districts, walkability, recent upgrades, and any distinctive features that set the home apart.
While compelling photos capture attention, it is often the listing description that motivates buyers to schedule a home showing. A clear, engaging narrative can significantly increase interest—and ultimately support a faster, more successful sale.
Loosen showing restrictions.
If your listing is not generating enough showings, the issue may be more about the showing restrictions than the property itself. When a home is difficult to access, agents are far more likely to move on to another property.
Have a candid conversation with your seller about increasing flexibility. Restrictions such as requiring a 24-hour notice, limiting weekend availability, or preventing evening showings can significantly reduce traffic.
Streamlining access can make an immediate impact. Consider installing a secure lockbox to allow agents to enter the property with ease. You can also use online showing schedulers to allow for faster, more efficient approvals. Small accessibility adjustments often lead to more showings and buyer interest.
Refresh the listing if traffic slows.
Think of the MLS as the real estate equivalent of a search engine. It is the primary place where buyers and their agents look for properties to tour. If your listing is not receiving the visibility you expected, it may be time to refresh it.
Consider updating key elements, such as:
- Adding a new hero photo
- Revising the listing description
- Adjusting the price
- Offering closing cost credits
These strategic updates can place your listing in front of active buyers and trigger alerts for users with saved searches. This ultimately increases engagement and drives more showings.
Market your listing on social media.
Real estate agents who invest in personal branding on social media gain a valuable advantage: expanded visibility for their listings. A single post can be shared across countless networks, reaching potential buyers you may never have connected with otherwise. Social platforms let you showcase properties around the clock, expand your market reach, and ultimately increase showing activity.
If you’re hosting an open house, promote it through a dedicated social media event. This not only broadens your audience but also helps you anticipate attendance and prepare for a successful showing day.
If you would like to explore effective social media strategies for real estate professionals, we encourage you to read our post, “Social Media for Realtors.”
Host multiple open houses.
Open houses provide an excellent opportunity to reach buyers you might not have had a chance to connect with. Additionally, promoting the event to your network and marking it as an open house in the MLS increases visibility and showings. Buyers who attend often return for a private showing with their agent if the property resonates with them.
For guidance on maximizing attendance and creating a polished, professional presence, read our post, “Open House Signs for Realtors: Best Practices.”
Follow up with every agent who showed it.
Your involvement as the listing agent may be limited before an offer arrives. However, an effective step you can take is to follow up with every agent who has shown the property. Buyers often tour numerous homes, and a strong candidate can easily slip from memory.
By reaching out, you gather meaningful feedback to share with your seller. You also keep your listing top of mind for the buyer’s agent. This is an advantage that can make a real difference in a competitive market.
Get more showings for your Orlando listings with help from Charles Rutenberg Realty.
Securing listings and attracting buyers is already a significant achievement for any real estate professional, particularly when you’re early in your career. When showing requests fall short of expectations, it’s natural to feel discouraged.
The good news is that there are proven strategies to increase showing activity and bring more buyers through the door. And you don’t have to navigate this process alone.
At Charles Rutenberg Realty, we provide the dedicated support, training, and resources you need to strengthen your business. Our model is designed to help you grow—while allowing you to keep 100% of your commission. That’s just one of the many benefits that sets us apart from other brokerages in the region.
If you’re ready to elevate your career, attract more buyers, and retain more of your hard-earned income, we invite you to join Charles Rutenberg Realty in Orlando. This is the step your business needs to thrive in the competitive Orlando market.