Should I host an open house?

Open house?  Not worth it.  Don't even think about it.  Risky and a waste of time.

Put your efforts into advertising.  People don't just drive by anymore househunting, serious buyers go to the  Internet and virtual tours.  If your home does catch their eye, they will contact you or an agent to see it.  Be smart and be safe. You only want qualified buyers ...not dreamers.

You're only up for 11 days and had 2 showings....you're kicking a$$.  Relax!

I don't think you can tell from 2 showings whether or not your price is too high.  I don't know where you are located or what your market is like, but I think two showings for being on the market 11 days is pretty low.  If anything you should get a lot of viewings when you first go on the market.

Are you working with an agent?  It sounds like you are FSBO.  Are you on the MLS?

Treat feedback with a pinch of salt. Most people tend to speak nice rather that hurt your feelings.

And as far as price is concerned people will not tell you its overpriced 'cos either they honestly don't know or they think they will be admitting they can't afford it.

If you are not listed with a realtor get a couple in for market analysis they do it for free and it should help you with price. You don't have to commit to anything so don't let them scare you into signing.

I'm listed on the MLS with an agent

"listed on the MLS with an agent"... Good! Let them do the work.   Hope it's a full time agent, the hungrier they are the harder they work.

Open house for Realtors is good.....shows the property to them,  but for the public ~ don't.  Don't let em' talk you into it.

Realtors use it as a means to snag anyone slightly interested in buying.  It's a version of bait and switch.  Sort of goes like 'So, you don't like this house, well let me show you one you'll really love, here's my card.  What's your name and number?' 

Yes, let the realtor hold an open house. If you are ok with it, insist on it. However, it takes more than a single ad and a couple of signs. Ask them to send (mail a nice flyer) a special invite to all the neighbors and to bring along another agent for help or to act as a buyer's agent and second set of eyes. More exposure is what you want. Though the odds are against it selling, it can happen.

Lovenyc, your right now that I think about it.  The truth is with all the pics I have and virtual tour if someone is really on the market looking to buy and they like what they see on the internet they will schedule an appointment.   Thanks for the advice!!

lovenyc, I disagree about open houses being useless.

I've gone to quite a few in my house hunting. I don't just drive around looking for open houses either, I search for open houses on the internet.

gracie08...Jiminey Cricket quote"let your conscience be your guide". 

Open house for only the Realtors in the community ~ Yes, great way to expose your home to them.

Open house for public ~ NO! 

What you want are qualified, serious buyers accompianied by a professional Realtor.

I understand lovenyc's point, but I'd like to throw out that I bought two of the four houses I've owned after visiting them during open houses. I'm in the market for my fifth right now, and I 'm once again driving my target neighborhood on Sundays, looking for open houses.

There's a house down the road who's realtor does an open house almost every weekend.  They advertise it and put up signs.  I put up my own signs at the same time but at the areas where those people have to drive past so they will come see my house too.  I also keep a couple of open house signs up at all times and move them around but they always lead to my house.  I am home all day and night so it doesn't matter to me.

Realtors here only do a little pre-qualifying before showing and just want to get the buyers looking.  It offends the buyers here to actually have to show they can buy your house before looking at it so I show it anytime and to almost anyone looking.  Of course, I have a safety net with my protective neighbors and German Shepard but I have said no to people I didn't feel right about.  If I go to the store, my kids are never allowed to show the house or take the chain off the door.  They give out my number that is on the sign out front and tell people to call me.  It's worked great so far but if I didn't have the time it would be a pain.

What works for one person may not work for another and the same for different areas.  I like the idea of doing an open house for the realtors and brokers.  If your house shows well and is priced right then it will stick in their minds when buyers come in to their office.