Can You Hold Open Houses While in Escrow?

This question comes up more often than you’d think. Can you keep showing a property once you're in escrow? In California, the answer is yes, under the right circumstances.

Once you’ve accepted an offer and both buyer and seller have signed, the home is considered under contract or in escrow. But the deal isn’t final until contingencies are removed, and that can take several days or even weeks.

So, can you still host open houses during this time? You can, and sometimes it’s a smart strategy.

If you’re early in the escrow period and the buyer hasn’t removed contingencies like the inspection or loan, it’s still considered an active deal but not a done one. Continuing to show the property during this window allows you to collect backup offers in case something falls through.

When a home goes into escrow, the MLS status typically changes to "Active Under Contract" or "Pending," depending on whether the seller is still open to showings. In California, you can absolutely indicate on the MLS that you’re accepting backup offers. This lets other agents know the home is still available to show and can help encourage additional interest in case your current deal doesn’t go through.

Some sellers find peace of mind in knowing there’s interest beyond the current buyer. Others want to avoid disruptions, especially if they’re living in the home. That’s totally understandable, and there’s no one-size-fits-all approach.

It’s also important to know that even if you do receive a backup offer, it can’t be accepted unless the first buyer cancels or is formally removed from contract. Some sellers assume they can simply switch buyers if a better offer comes in, but that’s not how it works. In California, the current contract must be canceled before another offer can be accepted. Backup offers are helpful, but they’re only activated if the current deal falls through.

Once contingencies are removed, it’s standard practice to stop showing the home. At that point, both sides are more committed and bringing in new buyers could create unnecessary confusion.

If you’re planning to sell and want help creating a strategy that fits your timeline, lifestyle, and goals, I’d love to help you navigate the process. Contact me HERE or give me a call at (424)433-3747.

Best regards,

Lindsay Woolf | CA DRE #02236711

DOMO Real Estate | CA DRE #01290500

Disclaimer: The information in this blog post is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Real estate transactions can be complex and subject to local regulations.