Buyers love to see apartments, but they’re not the only ones. Any seller knows that Manhattan’s open houses are filled with competitive people looking to buy a great apartment, but they also attract people who have no intention of actually signing a contract; many just want to see places for their own entertainment. Much like a Broadway show or a movie, it’s a way for people to engage in fantasy for a few hours, which is why many open houses for Manhattan apartments in the $1 million to $2 million price range are such scenes. Perhaps this is why, despite their popularity, some are beginning to question how useful open houses really are. This is the Internet age, after all, and many buyers now rely on sophisticated websites to buy apartments rather than brave the crowds. So this raises the question: if you’re selling an apartment in Manhattan, is hosting an open house worth your while?

Open houses are a great way for potential buyers to get the lay-of-the-land when it comes to their apartment search, providing them with the perfect opportunity to get into a few different apartments and decide what exactly they are looking for. A broker is a big help when it comes to setting up appointments and many times will join buyers on days when they are touring open houses. Here are some tips that the New York Times agrees are good for buyers to know about taking advantage of open houses in Manhattan.

• When it comes to apartments for sale in Manhattan, Sundays are the days to go to open houses. A good start for buyers who are just beginning to look at apartments is to see four to six places in a day. This will help the buyer to figure out exactly what type of apartment they are looking for, what neighborhoods they like, and what kind of building they want to live in.