If you're going to do it, it needs to be instrumental, low volume.

Sure we did quite often. It was typically a very light jazz and not loud by a long shot.  And yes to the pool and patio areas as that's a big deal in the Phoenix area and most folks have outside speakers.

I do it, and see nothing wrong with it.  I bring a small boom box and play a classical music CD at a low volume.  Regarding live music, I have heard of agents bringing in a string quartet but I have never done so.  

NO

It seems like people are afraid of the sound of silence.

Background music can be distracting, people come to open houses to see the home, and likely discuss the home with their family and agent, not listen to someone elses music.

Same goes for social events, I cant stand it when going to an ice breaker event and the the expensive music that our registration pays for is so loud that we cannot hear each other talk.  A networking event needs to foster conversation, not a room full of people who's eardrums are assaulted with loud music while attempting to read lips.

Like a restaurant where sound is part of the experience, you and I know how music can help or hurt the outing's impact. Just no Nine Inch Nails, Metallica's "Enter Sandman" as you show the master bedroom. If your buyers are singing the words to the big build up second half of Free Bird, you don't have their attention focused on what you want them to notice. We do video, on demand open houses and for a $42,500 dirty but nice cape, you don't have a live five piece band option in the marketing budget. Run and gun videos, move 'em out, list more, sell more.

I've played music a couple of times, not something I prefer.  Light easy jazz.  In some staged houses the stager had a record that went with the house.  If I never hear Billy Joel again, it'll be too soon!

Live band is fine, if it's a special type of event.  I've seen several where it was a sunset Broker's open house (on a view property) with a live band and catering.

I don't do it.  

Fred,

I agree with Anna Banana Kruchten CRS, Phoenix Broker .  A

I think it is appropriate, as long as, it is not any of my favorite bands; ACDC, Guns and Roses, Aerosmith, Metallica or Wham.  It would be more appropriate to have smooth jazz playing at a low level.

I have played smooth jazz and certainly entertain a piano player if there are 88 keys available at the home for sale.😎

Live music and a buffet-style lunch can attract feet through the door, especially buyer agents who may have interested clients. I have danced at a few! On a more somber note, smooth jazz at a low volume is soothing when in a luxury home awaiting someone/anyone to enter...zzzZ!

If the house is equipped with whole-house sound, you bet there should be music playing. It is the LISTING AGENT who is best prepared to show the house at it's very best.
What would I play? Depends on the lifestyle to be conveyed. Contemplative, shaker and mover and giddy and joyful.
A listing agent with vision may see the selection of music as a mechanism to establish the narrative regarding the house. Live music would certainly be one way to establish that. But from my experience, live music is more  a token to someone needing a boost in their performing career. "we do birthday parties, bar mitzvah and weddings."

I don't do music... when I show homes with music I find it intrusive and I've yet to show a home to a client who liked having it in the background. As for what's done at open houses, since I don't hold them, I don't have an opinion... but I suspect I'd prefer not to have it intrude on people's conversations.

Then again, I don't care of background music anywhere as I find it distracting. And taste in music is very personal... people always recommend jazz and I hate jazz. I have a surround sound system in my house and have never used it to play music.

I would if there is something to play it on. So many people have Alexa you can often play it from there. I would make it something instrumental on a low volume. Meditation music can also work and it helps people feel calm.

I think having some soft background music is nice but not sure what type appeals to everyone.  I wouldn't really worry about it though, I would just play something I enjoy and if people don't like it, so be it, haha.

Candice A. Donofrio and I are on the same page.

I see nothing wrong with background music as long as it is instrumental and not overbearing but it is a matter of choice for the agent and seller whether to do so.

Interesting conflicting comments as usual, lol   What seems soothing to one, sets anothers' nerves on edge.  Silence is golden or silence kills the mood?   I don't do open houses so I don't have an opinion on that.  For me, I would find music distracting and depending on the age group (as seen above) effective hearing comes into play. 

Classical, low-playing if you want music. I wouldn't rule out nature sounds, instrumentals or meditative either. Don't need it but it could all work. I would consider this for high-end listings.

I would not play music but you should do want best fits your marketing style.

My vote is yes.  What ever suits you.

I think very low volume music, instrumental, classical, jazz, is fine. Just loud enough to create ambiance, but not so loud it's distracting.

I went to an open house on a beautiful Sunday afternoon recently in Pacifica, CA. which is near the coast. The listing agent was providing tacos and quesadillas to the visitors.

Much better than background music.

Like Candice said, instrumental, low volume. 

I think that it makes the home seem welcoming. I'm not afraid of silence.

Tunes by the pool is always nice but not a band.

I don't do many open houses, but when I have, had the seller put on light jazz on low volume.

Live music is overkill, I think. Pleasant background music might be okay, but not necessary. 

Depends, we did have a live band by the dock at a lake house open for the model home in a new development.  I went over very well.

I try to have soft music on in a home, but that is me.

If the house has a great sound system then no vocals, no lyrics on low volume can enhance the mood and experience. If there is outside noise having it on can increase feeling of privacy. To add on to your question what about smells? Do you bake cookies, boil cinnamon or lemons and rosemary?

"Should" - not for me to say what others should do. Playing music at an open house is not something I have done or would do. 

Perhaps soft music out by a pool would add a nice touch. 

Live music?  For me - never.  I attended an open house years ago and one person was playing an instrument (cant remember which one) but it was distracting and annoying. 

I was just on a webinar put in by one of the best Open House agents in the business (Andy Cothes) and he recommends it. Ideally, something relaxing and not too loud.

An agent should do whatever passes those miserable hours most comfortably.

I don't. And when I go in a house with music playing, it's usually annoying. Never saw live music. I'm there to show the property and have low tolerance for distractions.

Inside, no.  I have outside by the lake to attract people to an open house from the water.... live band out by the dock with hotdogs (no eating inside) cause lots of boaters invite friends to the lake and take them boating.  We did sell that house the weekend of the open house to someone who came (they had an agent already, but that's okay with me and my sellers)

Absolutely, 100%.  Music with subliminal messages built in saying "you want to buy this house" over and over again.

Background music sets the ambiance in restaurants and boutiques, elevators & malls...the list goes on.

Music is just as effective at open houses, making visitors feel comfortable - and at home! 

Our music is always jazz or classical and is always soft, background music only. Guests are always offered the option to 'listen to how peaceful the community is' by turning the music off.

If you are going to play music, it should be at a low volume, unobtrusive and be a decent match for the home being shown. In a pre-war co-op- classic music, in all glass new construction on the 50th floor- something modern but instrumental. I live less than 2 blocks from the Sugar Hill Historic District where so many legends of Jazz lived or visited- so a lite jazz is very appropriate in many of the homes in this section of Harlem. During one of the seasons of Million Dollar Listing NY- they tried selling a townhouse about a block or so away from my home within Sugar Hill- by having a free jazz concert in the backyard (on a corner property- so the backyard was easily accessible for anyone wanting to attend the concert).