Charlotte Pile at Strutt and Parker gives her guide to what an open house day is and why property sellers and buyers should consider getting involved.

Around 90 per cent of new house searches start online these days.

However, nothing can really replace the experience of physically looking round a property and deciding whether or not it is to be your family home for the next umpteen number of years.

It can be a tense experience, wondering if this is, finally, ‘the one’.

It can also be a lengthy process, having to go and see each potential new home separately when you have an evening or day to spare.

Estate agency Strutt & Parker tries to make a little less stressful, and more convenient through its annual spring Open House Day.

All their participating properties can be viewed on the same day and at the same time, between 11am and 3pm on February 27, allowing you to tick quite a number off your list.

Q. What is Open House Day?

A. It’s a day when we throw open the doors of all our houses taking part, so that prospective buyers who register with us have the chance to view as many properties as they wish, without the need to make appointments.

We run Open House Days twice a year, in the spring and autumn.

Q. How does it help buyers?

A. Buyers like it because of the freedom and flexibility it offers.

The timesaving made through seeing a greater number of houses in one go is a huge advantage in this competitive market. The difference means that properties they have just seen remain fresh in their mind on the next viewing, putting buyers in a better position to make choices.

We have had some incredible stories of people just being curious about a house and not seriously considering buying, but going on to make an offer after.

Q. How effective is Open House Day?

A. We had more than 600 properties take part in our last event, with one in six receiving offers on the day, to a value of more than £80million.

It has been our most successful event so far in matching buyers to the property that’s right for them, and we only see it getting better.

Q. What do you have to do to get involved?

A. You can register to take part with your local Strutt & Parker office.

Once you’ve provided your details, you’ll receive a registration card.

You can then view as many houses on the day as you wish.

* For more details, visit struttandparker.com/openday.