As a 35 year Real Estate veteran, I can tell you open Houses do work!  First you get to meet and interview an agent and find out if you want to work with them if you are not currently working with an agent. Second, you get to preview a house and neighborhood. If you don’t like the house-you can move on. But remember the agent you are talking to may be the Listing/sellers agent you negotiate a contract with in the future.  Thirdly, ask the agent what’s happening in the local area. Usually more knowledgeable than website info. Experienced agents work hard and take care of handling the contract and 34 steps required to get you to settlement.