The first thing you should know about open houses: They’re not only about selling the house.  

The tasteful staging, the glossy flyers, the chocolate chip cookies … they’re also about selling the skills of the real estate agent to potential clients. 

“It is a good way for that realtor to shake a lot of hands and to take a lot of cards and exchange information,” explained Jessica Lautz with the National Association of Realtors.

Sacramento broker Erin Stumpf will host her first open house in more than a year this weekend. Until recently showings were by appointment only in California. For her clients looking to buy, that was a hurdle. 

“I’ve had clients who on a Friday will ask me to tour a property on the weekend, (and I’ll call a listing agent to schedule something) and there are no showing appointments left,” Stumpf said.

The good news: Open houses should make the viewing logistics easier. The bad news? 

You’re going to have potentially more buyers be able to visit certain properties than we’ve had prior to now – which could make an insanely competitive market even crazier.