Photos, videos, and virtual tours—these are all great ways to showcase your house to buyers when selling. However, there's nothing like physically stepping into the home and seeing the condition of the space with your own eyes.
This is where showings come in. In this blog, we’ll explore the role of showings and delve into one of the most pressing questions you might have as a seller: how many showings does it take to sell? We’ll break down the average number of showings it takes before receiving a competitive offer, as well as the crucial factors that influence this figure.
The role of showings in the home-selling process
House showings are scheduled appointments where serious buyers, typically with their real estate agent, come to view and tour the property in person. They are a crucial part of a real estate transaction because they allow buyers to see the home's features, storage, location, and condition beyond online photos and virtual tours. The number of showings your home receives is also a key indicator of its progress on the market.
During a home showing, the prospective buyer can envision themselves living in the home and assess whether the space meets their needs. You can think of it as an audition, where your property is the main attraction and each showing is a chance to make a good impression.
While receiving showing requests can be exciting for sellers, it can also be stressful. You have to keep your home in pristine condition, put away kids’ toys, clear any signs of pets, and just find somewhere to go during this time. This often leaves sellers wondering, “How long will this take?” and “How many times do I have to do this?”
How long do showings last?
Typical home showings last between 15 and 45 minutes. Buyers who are seriously interested in your home may spend up to an hour as they:
Tour each room, including the attic or basement
Peek into closets and other storage spaces
Check to see if the light switches and other appliances work
Measure rooms to see if their furniture would fit
Start planning or envisioning how each room will be used.
Although showings may feel invasive, it's important to remember that buying a home is a major investment. Some buyers may even stay longer, especially if they want to revisit key features that will lead to them making an offer.
So, how many showings does it take on average before you sell your house? Is there a magic number
While there's no universal answer, real estate professionals agree that it takes an average of 10 to 25 showings before a typical house attracts a serious buyer and receives an offer.
However, you could get just a handful of showings on your home and receive multiple offers. Or, your home could be on the market for weeks or months before it goes under contract. This is because showing volume can vary widely based on a number of factors: price, location, your home’s condition and how desirable it is, market conditions, as well as the time of the year.
Here’s a general breakdown of showing volume:
1-5 showings: Typical in a hot market or for highly desirable homes
10-15 showings: Common when pricing, condition, and marketing align
25+ showings: May indicate the home is overpriced.
Likewise, note that it’s also common for serious buyers to schedule back-to-back showings, especially if they like your home best or if your home stands out among other potential listings.
1. Listing price
Your pricing strategy is one of the most significant factors when it comes to showing activity. According to data from Redfin, the median home price for single-family homes was around $462,000 in May 2025, while the median sale price for all home types (including condos and townhouses) was lower at $440,000. In general, homes priced within the range that a majority of buyers can afford—$250,000 or below—are likely to get more showings, especially if the property is in good condition and in a desirable location. Meanwhile, homes priced around the national average of $430,000 should get an average number of showings. On the other hand, luxury or high-end homes will generally see slower showing activity since fewer buyers can afford them.
If your home is priced competitively for your housing market, you will attract serious buyers and expect to generate an average number of showing requests. But if your asking price is too high, fewer buyers will be interested, leading to minimal traffic. Remember that the price of your home must appeal to your target audience.
Besides, if you receive a lot of showing requests but they don't turn into offers, you may need to adjust your pricing to accommodate the current market. Lowering the price might make your home more competitive and generate offers.
2. Location and neighborhood
Your home's location plays a huge role when it comes to attracting buyers and boosting showing activity. Factors such as good school districts, proximity to shops, restaurants, hospitals, parks, and public spaces, and easy access to commuter routes are usually considered by prospective buyers, depending on their priorities and preferences.
Homes in desirable neighborhoods usually create higher demand for showings, especially if they’re priced right. If your property happens to be located in a less desirable location or part of town, you can work with your trusted agent to improve showing activity by highlighting your home’s other strengths.
3. Market conditions
The number of showings will also be affected by current market conditions. In a seller's market where there are more buyers than homes for sale, you may get a rush of showing requests as soon as your home hits the market. You might receive multiple offers after just a few showings. Or, your first showing could already lead to an offer since buyers know there aren’t a lot of options available, and they are under heightened pressure to make a decision.
On the contrary, your home may sit for weeks or months, even with dozens of showings in a buyer’s market, where there are more homes for sale than buyers. Buyers have a greater selection of homes to choose from, which may result in reduced showing activity per home. This is why it’s important to be aware of current market trends and work with an agent who can help position your home competitively.
4. Property condition and curb appeal
First impressions are everything when it comes to showings, so the state of your home can also impact showing volume. Your goal as the seller is to position your home at its best ahead of every showing. A clean home, decluttered, has no lingering smells and looks well-maintained, is far more likely to attract serious interest. Buyers can easily picture themselves living in a clean and tidy home, paving the way to multiple offers.
In the 2023 Remodeling Impact Report: Outdoor Features by the National Association of REALTORS®, 92 percent of REALTORS® have suggested sellers improve their curb appeal before listing a home for sale. The exterior of your house is the first thing anyone will see, which is why great curb appeal is crucial in making a good first impression. If buyers like what they see from the outside, they are more likely to check beyond the front door.
5. Timing and seasonality
Aside from current market trends, seasonality also impacts the number of showings your home is likely to receive before getting a competitive offer. Spring and summer, which are considered peak buying seasons in many real estate markets, typically yield the most visibility and showings. The only flip side is that more casual buyers—who may not be ready to purchase or are only just starting their home-buying journey—join the scene.
On the contrary, fall and winter showings might be slower but often more serious since fewer but highly motivated buyers are house-hunting in colder months. In such cases, fewer showings may still result in offers.
Get Help From A Local and Knowledgeable Real Estate Agent To Maximize Showings
There will never be an accurate answer to how many showings are needed to sell a house. The factors mentioned above each play a significant role, hence showing volumes are impossible to predict. However, having a local and knowledgeable real estate agent by your side when listing your home for sale can help you set realistic expectations based on accurate research and market insights.
An experienced agent will give you tips on how to improve your home so it stands out, no matter the market conditions in your area. You two will work closely together to make your home more desirable to buyers. Preparing your home for showing can be tedious, but with a trusted listing agent, every effort could lead to an offer that makes all the hassles worth it.
