Showing people round house - taking shoes off

3KIDSNOMONEY

I have got to show some potential buyers around my house today. I have a real thing about shoes in houses, does anybody think that it is strange or rude to ask them to take off their shoes when they come and have a look round. thanks

Gingernutmeg

I don't think it's rude although it might possibly make some people feel a little uncomfortable. As long as the floors are clean then it's not a major problem - at least they know they'd be buying a house with clean carpets Anyway, if your weather is anything like ours today then you don't want wet and mud in the house, and it's a reasonable enough request.

I was once asked to take my shoes off when I was being shown round the filthiest house imaginable. It was HORRIBLE thinking what I was treading in. I really can't imagine why we needed to take our shoes off ...

DreamweaverB

3KIDSNOMONEY wrote: »

I have got to show some potential buyers around my house today. I have a real thing about shoes in houses, does anybody think that it is strange or rude to ask them to take off their shoes when they come and have a look round. thanks

My view is that some people will take exception to being asked to take their shoes off and anything that might start potential buyers off on the wrong foot should be avoided.

Given that you're trying to sell this house I'd grin and bear it and just do everything you can to keep the viewers on side. Once they've bought this one you can buy your new home and enforce as many 'shoes off' rules as you want.

3KIDSNOMONEY

i am part exchanging so not that worried about putting buyers off.

Barneysmom

You need to stop thinking that this is your house now, it might be theirs soon.
Good luck xx

3KIDSNOMONEY

my family and is will still have to live in the house until we complete so i am not really that keen on someone trailing dog mess or suchlike through the house.

Has anybody been asked to do this when viewing?

SailorSam

All my shoes live in the porch, all my family and friends know if you visit here, you kick off your shoes by the door.
When i was selling a couple of years ago i wanted to ask potential buyers, but was to embarrassed to say. i think i may havedone if it had been bad weather.

1echidna

3KIDSNOMONEY wrote: »

my family and is will still have to live in the house until we complete so i am not really that keen on someone trailing dog mess or suchlike through the house.

Has anybody been asked to do this when viewing?

Yes on one house we visited with new carpets the vendor asked us to take our shoes off. We had no objection. When selling our house one viewer took his shoes off. We didn't request it from the others though.

DawnW

Sorry, but I think it is a bit strange and rude, and it would put me off. There are so many other houses to choose from. I would tend to think the vendors would be odd in other ways and perhaps awkward. The idea is to make the prospective buyers feel at home in your house so that they can picture themselves living there. I would find it hard to believe that anyone would be so disrespectful as to trail dog mess through your house. They are presumably arriving in their car, so unless you have it in your front garden :eek: there probably wouldn't even be the opportunity to pick any up.

Only my opinion though!

Gwhiz

I have ALWAYS asked people to take shoes off. If nothing else it would show a complete lack of consideration on their part if they were unhappy to do so! I've never had an issue from anyone and, to be honest, if I did I would suspect they'd be just as inconsiderate in any financial dealings too so possible a good thing to weed them out

calmspirit

In my experience......most of my viewers, if not all, asked if they should take their shoes off as they came into the porch.....but it seems to be normal practice around here, even kids when calling for friends will kick shoes off before going in house!

I would never have asked a viewer to take their shoes off though, would not want to risk making them feel uncomfortable from the start.

best of luck