Showing people round house - taking shoes off

googler

If people don't feel awkward about putting them on for new-builds, why would they feel awkward about putting them on for a real person's own home?

pawpurrs

I only said that they sometimes have them in New builds not that people didnt feel awkward about using them in new builds!

GracieP

3KIDSNOMONEY wrote: »

Has anybody been asked to do this when viewing?

I was asked to do it when viewing a house and it completely put my off. It's so inhospitable. The house was actually pretty nice and it was what I was looking for, but I never went back for a 2nd viewing as it left me feeling seriously uncomfortable. I was thoroughly uncomfortable in my socks, I couldn't take a proper look at the garden, basement or garage, all in all I just wanted to leave the whole time I was viewing.

If you must ask people to take their shoes off, I suggest that you rush to Primark/Peacocks/Matalan/etc and buy a selection of cheap slippers to offer viewers to wear while in the house.

Patchwork_Quilt

I think you have to be as accommodating as possible when showing people round.

We always ask family to take their shoes off and I was surprised to find out how embarrassed people are about the state of their socks or their knobbly toes etc. It puts them at a disadvantage and they may be thinking about that rather than the house. Also, as Plushdoor Mat says, it is a lot of faffing about if they want to go out of the back of the house later.

My advice would be to say nothing and sweep up quickly afterwards before the kids pick anything up. A carpet sweeper is good for a quick whizz round

googler

pawpurrs wrote: »

I only said that they sometimes have them in New builds not that people didnt feel awkward about using them in new builds!

I wasn't directing it specifically at you - so I'll re-phrase.

Plastic overshoes are routinely handed out at many new-build sites. As far as I can tell, people (including me) accept these without question, and they do wear them even though nobody owns the house.

If people accept this scenario without question at a new-build, why would they not accept the same at a real, living, breathing person's own home?

I've been asked to take my shoes off once when viewing someone's home - I didn't mind, but after 10 mins of walking around, my feet were freezing! Laminate floors here, tiled floor there, no luxurious warm carpets anywhere...... I wished I'd had the overshoes.

"If you must ask people to take their shoes off, I suggest that you rush to Primark/Peacocks/Matalan/etc and buy a selection of cheap slippers to offer viewers to wear while in the house."

The plastic overshoes are cheaper, and don't rely on you picking the right size of slippers to match your viewers!

ethansmum

GracieP wrote: »

If you must ask people to take their shoes off, I suggest that you rush to Primark/Peacocks/Matalan/etc and buy a selection of cheap slippers to offer viewers to wear while in the house.

How ridiculous! I would be more offended at some asking me to put on second hand slippers than asking me to take my shoes off. I would always take my shoes off in some one elses home - its respectful!

carefullycautious

What about using the clear plastic runners that you get. I live in a gf flat and have this in my T shaped hallway to cut down on the wear and tear of my carpet. You could always cut it into squares and strategically place it around your home so that people walk on this and not on your floors. I dont think it matters in areas that are tiled or wood floored as this is easily cleaned. Most of my friends just automatically take their shoes off at the door even when I tell them they dont need to. The problems I have is trying to train my family to.

SarahShattered

superfran_uk wrote: »

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!

I was just going to post them same thing. It seems as though you just want your opinion on the subject confirmed, and are refuting anything to the contrary.

If it were me it would put me off viewing your house. I went to view a house where I was asked to put on the blue bag shoe covers. As it was the middle of winter... i.e wet and muddy, I felt it was a reasonable request. But in general, I think it's a bad idea to ask people to take their shoes off.

If you're planning on moving house, I think you have to disengage from feeling it's your 'home' even while you are still living there. That's what we did when we sold. I packed up our clutter and personal photos etc. and really house doctored the place. It didn't feel like my home anymore, but that was the point, I was trying to appeal to potential buyers.

You've said you're not worried about putting people off, so why bother asking the question???? I'm genuinely asking that BTW, not having a go at you.

googler

carefullycautious wrote: »

What about using the clear plastic runners that you get.

I'm old enough to remember the clear plastic being used in showhomes before the overshoes became common.

Good plan, and an alternative would be to obtain carpet offcuts and place these in the main walking areas and especially leading from the front door - a nice light colour, and a quick glance down will tell you if any visitor is trailing anything unwelcome in with them so's you can stop them there.

tbs624

If someone is put off your property simply because they were asked to remove their shoes when viewing , then they clearly weren't a serious house purchaser and you've saved yourself a wasted 45 minutes of your life.

People who tramp round the homes of others without offering to remove their outdoor footwear *ought* to be made to feel uncomfortable.

Tell them that you're a Buddhist, and get one of those naff doormats that say in foot high letters "shoes off"