Showing people round house - taking shoes off

3KIDSNOMONEY

not everybody comes by car

Norma_Desmond

In my view shoes are for outdoor wear only and should be left in the porch.
I had a meter reader turn up once with his shoes absolutely caked in mud and I refused to let him in (politely!) unless he took them off; he looked gobsmacked and was quite rude, so I refused to let him in anyway! :rolleyes::D

googler

Go to your local DIY store (I went to Machine Mart) and get the disposable plastic overshoes. Place a large quantity of these in a wicker basket next to the front door or in the porch, and ask the viewers to slip a pair of these over their outdoor shoes as they come in.

If they go out to the back garden, get them to slip them off and back on again, alternatively save both gardens until last, and as they leave, slip your shoes on and give them the outside tour.

superfran_uk

I think that if you want to sell your house, you should try to make the viewers as comfortable as possible and this includes letting them keep their shoes on!

Also in this weather people may be wearing sandals and have sweaty feet - would you rather that they put their sweat over your carpets?

Although you have obviously made your mind up already, so I am not sure why you asked for other's opinions!

Blacksheep1979

I always offer if not asked - I think it shows you care about your home and this is something that the prospective buyers should recognise and infact want.

loracan1

googler wrote: »

Go to your local DIY store (I went to Machine Mart) and get the disposable plastic overshoes. Place a large quantity of these in a wicker basket next to the front door or in the porch, and ask the viewers to slip a pair of these over their outdoor shoes as they come in.

This is your answer. Asking perfect strangers to remove their shoes when you're trying to entice them to buy your property is odd (and regardless of part-exchanging or not - you are trying to sell it. And this comes from a mum who insists the kids leave theirs at the front door and built a cupboard for that express purpose.

Benji_Brown

If you don't want to ask them to take their shoes off, get some of those blue "bags" that you can slip over your shoes and ask them to put them on instead.

It won't offend and it wil keep your carpets clean.

You don't have to start off the viewing feeling awkward then.

scw1

I dont think I would like to remove my shoes and unless we knew beforehand you wouldnt want my husband to remove his shoes - he has real smelly feet!

I can understand where your coming from as I have a young daughter but if I am trying to sell the house I think I would just grin and bear it. Do you have a mat by the front door? I always wipe my shoes before going into a house so can you just make sure they do that?

googler

Benji_Brown wrote: »

If you don't want to ask them to take their shoes off, get some of those blue "bags" that you can slip over your shoes and ask them to put them on instead.

...aka 'disposable plastic overshoes'

pawpurrs

I allways ask, and offer, I have seen those blue shoes in new builds, and have asked people to put them on, but I dont think thats any less wierd as some put it, than being asked to take your shoes off, if anything its wierder.
Although I see nothing wierd in being asked, quite frankly.
I allways take my shoes off, but I havent asked viewers to, despite some trailing mud in, as I dont want them to feel awkward, the minute they step through the door.
A few have offered but not that many.