On Saturday mornings, as I take a stroll around the neighborhood, I often come across open house signs prominently displayed in front yards, with cars lined up in front. It's a common sight in America for people who have no intention of buying a house to walk in, shoes in hand, and even check out the master bedroom closet.

Honestly, when I first encountered this culture, I was amazed that people would so openly tour someone else's home. Some houses attract so many neighbors that it almost feels like a small town festival.

It's also common to see neighbors, who only knew each other by face, chatting for a while in the yard.

However, it turns out that the concept of open houses has a history of over 100 years.

It began in the 1910s under the name "open for inspection," primarily aimed at showcasing new architectural styles and amenities in newly built homes to the public.

As we moved into the 1920s, real estate agents began to use this as a serious marketing tool, and that's when the form of open houses we know today started to take shape.

Interestingly, half of the people who attend open houses actually have no intention of buying the house.

According to a survey by the National Association of Realtors, 50 percent of home buyers reported that they had visited an open house during their home search.

However, only 4 percent of transactions actually result from open houses.

When I first saw that number, I was quite surprised; with so many people attending, it's surprising that so few end up signing contracts. So, what are the rest doing there? This is where the real fun of American-style touring culture begins.

In the real estate industry, these attendees are often referred to as "looky-loos."

This term describes guests who are just browsing without any intention to buy, and the fact that it's an official term in the industry is amusing.

Some neighbors come out of curiosity about their local market, others to steal interior design ideas, and some just to satisfy their curiosity about how others live.

Even in an age where dozens of property photos are available online, people still choose to put on their shoes and visit the house in person. The difference between the spaciousness seen in photos and the actual feeling of standing in the room is significant.

Moreover, real estate agents often prepare freshly baked cookies or lemonade, which is an old tactic that encourages this touring culture. Since there's no pressure to buy, people can casually enjoy the pleasant smells while exploring the house.

At this point, it feels almost like a spectator sport. I think it's a culture that reflects a pride in showcasing well-built homes to others.

Just like you don't have to place a bet to enjoy a fight at a boxing match, attending an open house doesn't have to be about finding a home to buy. There are quite a few people who make it a hobby to visit several open houses in the neighborhood on weekends with a cup of coffee in hand.

This isn't much different from people who wander around car showrooms, test-driving cars without any intention of purchasing.

From the agents' perspective, this might not be entirely welcome. While it looks good to have many visitors, only a few of them will actually sign a contract.

Still, the reason this culture persists is clear. There's something inherently enjoyable about peeking into the spaces where people live.

I also quite enjoy touring open houses, and I find it surprisingly fun to see what kind of grill someone has in their backyard. It seems that what catches my eye first is not the house's layout or price tag, but rather what equipment is set up in the yard, suggesting that people tend to explore the world through their own interests.