The Real Signal of Buyer Interest Isn’t Open Houses.
It’s Disclosure Downloads
When sellers ask me how much interest their home is getting, the first thing they mention is usually open house traffic or online views.
That sounds logical. More visitors should mean more demand.
But in Lafayette, Moraga, Orinda, and Walnut Creek listings, I have learned that the real signal of serious buyer interest is disclosure downloads.
A busy open house can still produce zero offers. A quiet weekend with strong disclosure activity often leads to multiple offers.
The difference is intent.
What a Disclosure Download Really Means
A disclosure package includes inspections, title report, seller disclosures, and property details. Buyers who take the time to download and review these documents are preparing to make a decision.
They are checking roof condition, foundation notes, sewer reports, permits, insurance issues, and neighborhood risks.
They are thinking about writing an offer.
Many buyers today even upload disclosures into AI tools to summarize repairs, estimate costs, and compare homes. They want clarity before they commit.
From the backend, I can see how many serious buyers are studying the documents. That tells a much deeper story than foot traffic.
Why Open Houses and Clicks Can Be Misleading
Online views are easy. Anyone can click.
Open house visitors are often neighbors, curious buyers, or people who are not financially ready yet.
In Lamorinda, where prices are high and buyers are analytical, the serious buyers behave differently. They spend time on disclosures. They ask detailed questions. They compare inspection reports between homes.
This is why a home with modest open house traffic can still be strongly positioned if disclosure activity is high.
And a home with many visitors but few downloads usually needs pricing or preparation adjustment.
How Disclosure Data Guides Pricing and Repairs
This is where experience matters.
When I see strong disclosure interest but hesitation, it often means buyers are concerned about specific repairs. Sometimes a small fix can unlock multiple offers. Other times the correct move is adjusting price instead of over-repairing.
For example, with listings like Park Ave, disclosure activity showed clear buyer engagement even when open house traffic looked average. That gave us confidence on pricing and timing.
The key is balance.
Not every issue needs to be fixed. Not every concern changes price. Understanding what buyers actually care about helps sellers protect their value.
What Lamorinda Sellers Should Take Away
If you are selling in Lafayette, Moraga, Orinda, or Walnut Creek, do not judge your home’s demand only by open houses or online clicks.
Watch disclosure activity.
It shows who is serious, what buyers are worried about, and how close they are to writing an offer.
That information helps you make calm, informed decisions about price, preparation, and timing.
Every home is different. The right strategy comes from reading real buyer behavior, not guessing from surface numbers.
If you are thinking about selling in Lamorinda and want to understand how buyers are reacting to your home, I am happy to review your disclosure activity and talk through options.
Judy Sin
Compass Lafayette
Serving Lafayette, Moraga, Orinda, and Walnut Creek
Fluent in English, Cantonese, and Mandarin