In our area, refreshments are not usually offered at open houses. However, one of my friends always bakes brownies to serve to guests in the kitchen. She has effectively used this as a means of building relationships.

It's been 10 years since I've held an open house.  When I did I served water. 

When I did open houses, I would serve bottled water and coffee. I don't know if the public expected it, but I like having it there. It made me feel more like a hostess than a real estate broker trying to sell a house. 

It depends.

Bottled water is nice and always welcome.

There will always be people who "expect" certain things.   

I don't Debbie, I get down to business and that is it.

Debbie - As Praful Thakkar mentioned, the ice cream truck is something I enjoy.  It is not expected though much enjoyed.

Debbie Reynolds I had fresh baked cookies for couple of open houses. People do not come for cookies for sure.

However, I learned something new from Christine Donovan 's post of ICE CREAM open house! And that sounds a great idea! I may implement it - if I get a listing in a community.

With a great listing last summer that featured an Aga stove, I baked chocolate chip cookies - to highlight the stove - I don't think anyone expects it. 

cut all those cookies and candies.. the wrappers and ants are the issues we had to deal with....

I hand out recipes with my photos and RE info,  They hang on to my postcards longer ....,

Debbie, we serve food at our broker open houses but not the public ones.  We found too many parents were not responsible as they allowed their children to bolt off with the food and drink to other parts of the house.

About ten years ago, it was not unusual to offer all sorts of food items during open houses.  I think the food was the only reason some people went.  The only time I offer food now is for broker opens.

I do not think consumers care about refreshments. 

Good morning Debbie. I can only relate to your question for homes that we flip, we offer small bottles of water and some sweets, but not much more. We have done the big splash, that didn't sell the property any quicker.

Make it a great weekend!

We usuall make home made cookies, but I don't think they expect it.  We also have coffee and bottles water. It's surprising the number of people that refuse them.

I did but the agents in my office were getting to fat from all the left-overs so I hand out scratch lotto tickets now, it's far cheaper and my office is looking a bit thinner

Debbie - When it is warm/hot outside I will provide bottled water, but I don't do any food.  As I see it, the purpose is to feature the home and hopefully identify who might have an interest in buying it, not who is viewing on an empty stomach, has a pack of kids that missed lunch, etc.  Besides, why would I want to give an opportunity for something to get dropped, smeared, stomped into any porous surface in the house.  Most attendees don't have an expectation of being fed at an open house, at least not in this area.

I think a few things "to go" would be easier for everyone. Some bottled water and energy bars work nice.  

We do but I don't think that the public expects it. I think it keeps them there a little longer though.

I usually try to serve fresh baked chocolate chip cookies - I don't think the public cares.  I try to have bottled water too.  The only problem is, if they don't take the cookies, I have to take them home

I usually have water, and something easy to nibble on, like cookies for the kids or wrapped chocalate. Do I think the pubic really cares?  Probably not.

Depends on the home.

We do not - cold bottled water would be the only exception in the summer heat...

Water but not food at our open houses. For agent caravans we provide lunch if we are the last house on the tour. That's usually one of the luxury homes.

the public does not care....sometimes we do, but not always.... we always serve lunch at an open house for agents....always....feed them and they will come!!