My house has been put on the market for sale and I have had quite a few visitors viewing it. I have noticed that most of the viewers don't take their shoes and in most cases don't even offer! The times that I have asked for them to take their shoes off, they seem absolutely flabbergasted and they seem to put in a bad mood! I just wondered if anyone else had similar experiences or people's opinions on this. This is still my home before it sells with my property in it. Surely it's not too much to ask to take their shoes off? Especially when I've cleaned the place up and down prior to their visit.
2006-07-05 02:10:02 · 26 answers · asked by Anonymous in Home & Garden ➔ Other - Home & Garden
Can we all just bare in mind in live the East of England, which is prone to rain constantly and also that the house has been on the market for two years and probably will be for a lot longer. Thanks for the answers so far, most of them are great!
2006-07-05 02:21:09 · update #1
Of course it's okay...it's your house. Removing shoes is healthier for the carpet and the people living in the house. Your carpet will look and be cleaner and last longer. It also prevents contaminates from entering through the bottom of shoes. I don't allow shoes or smoking in my home...even on the coldest or rainiest day guests must go out on the porch to smoke. Hey, it's my house...and that's your's.
2006-07-05 02:25:39 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 9⤊ 5⤋
No, it's definitely not too much to ask.
Post a sign out front either on the front door or somewhere at the entrance. You can also provide little non-slip booties for them to wear. You can get them at the janitorial supply places.
And don't worry about it being a point against you when selling - tell them that you're doing this because you want to ensure that the person purchasing the home gets it as close as possible to what they see when they walk through. If they are uneasy at all about taking their shoes off, it will be offset by the fact that you're keeping their house looking good until they buy it!
2006-07-05 02:16:04 · answer #2 · answered by game buddee 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
We have sold many homes and I have toured more houses than I care to remember. I can tell you from experience that yes, a number of the houses DID have signs up asking visitors politely to take their shoes off. Usually there would be a mat outside for guests to place their shoes on upon entering.
Most people don't take their shoes off automatically when entering another's house. Please don't think they're trying to be rude, as it's a cultural thing. It really is not done as much as you might think except in homes that tend to be more formal. Most people are more casual these days.
However, if you would like to request that they take their shoes off, you can tell your realtor to note that in their information. All realtors keep specific details noted on the paper with the house's specs. In addition to the square footage, number of bathrooms and bedrooms, etc. they will also have other info. This includes notations like if you have a dog, if the dog is friendly or shouldn't be approached, if pets are allowed inside the house, if visitors should lock gates behind them, what the code is for the lockbox, if people are required to take their shoes off, etc.
Don't feel guilty or bad about requesting this from other people. Like you said, it IS still your house. Not only that, but it's a smart thing to do because having lots of people come through your house does bring in a lot of dirt. Ignore their bad attitudes, or gracefully chalk it up to poor breeding. Just put up a sign on your front door, and call the realtor to tell him or her you want people to take their shoes off.
edit: And by the way, you don't have to worry about explaining yourself to other people. Asking this as a courtesy does not need an explanation. And you don't need to go out and buy little booties for them or plastic strips for the whole house. A number of homes for sale do request people take their shoes off. I have never noticed anyone refuse to do this.
2006-07-05 02:15:39 · answer #3 · answered by Ashley 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You said it yourself. Asking them to take off their shoes puts them in a negative mindset. Not something you want to do to a potential buyer.
Try this instead. You can buy clear plastic runners at places like Lowe's or Home Depot. It comes in a roll and is not very expensive. It adheres (safely) to the rug/floor. Put it down along the high-traffic area. It won't guarantee that the occasional viewer won't go off the trail, but for the most part, it will save you excess cleaning.
2006-07-05 02:17:15 · answer #4 · answered by kathy_is_a_nurse 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes - it's OK. A subtle psychological trick is to put all of your shoes ( assuming there are a few people in the house) outside so that people think others have taken theirs off. If you're using an agent, make sure they ask people to do it. Maybe even type up a sign asking people to please remove their shoes. I've looked at quite a few houses and I've never seen anyone object to it.
2006-07-05 02:15:55 · answer #5 · answered by ezc692 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would not take mine off. I know it is your house but some of us have foot problems. I do not walk very well with out my shoes. I think it is rude for someone to tell me that I can not have my shoes on. Also there is the problem with fungus. Some people have a fungus and that will be left on your carpet with no shoes on. Then it can be passed to other people. If need be they make plastic runnier that tack to the carpet and are very inexpensive that can be put down prior to viewing.
2006-07-05 02:15:01 · answer #6 · answered by bildymooner 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't think this should be a problem, they should respect your wishes. I have been into homes for sale, where they had those little booties that you slip on over your shoes to protect the floors/carpets. I think they sell them at medical supply places.
Maybe if you put a basket of them by the door, people would get the hint.
2006-07-05 02:15:01 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Altho you cleaned your butt off to show it.....it's inappropriate to ask this of your viewers. Sets the wrong mode to sell. Besides they say a person's bare or sock feet are much dirtier than their shoes. Put a BIG rug at the door for wiping and get over it...if ya wanna sell that is.
2006-07-05 02:15:36 · answer #8 · answered by Dreamcatcher 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
What my Realtor did when she listed my house for sale was to put a basket filled with painter's shoe covers (you buy those at home depot or Lowes) at the entrance. You could either tell the viewers or put a sign asking them to cover their shoes. Nobody objected to it.
2006-07-05 02:18:26 · answer #9 · answered by spot 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Maybe you should put a floor mat out and leave your shoes on it, then maybe they will just think that is what they need to do as well. I don't think that anyone will not buy your house because they have to take their shoes off when they come to look at it. If they do, F'em.
2006-07-05 02:14:50 · answer #10 · answered by budlover 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
What I would do is buy some scrap pieces of carpet and ask the people that are looking at the house to please stay on the pieces. That way no one will get upset. Some people don't like to take of their shoes . I know that if men have boots on it is a pain to take them off. Good luck.
2006-07-05 02:16:12 · answer #11 · answered by tiggermom2004 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋