Please Remove Your Shoes

We have all seen these notes from time to time at homes that we show our Buyers. I appreciate that wanting to keep the traffic associated with viewing home and the dirt  tracked in to a minimum. But is this the best way to accomplish that?. Posting a note or an advisory at the front door to "Please remove your shoes" ?

I could go on and on about this but when I see agents posting things like this, it shows they are just not very understanding of the some of the problems associated with this.

Is every Buyer a young couple that can just kick off their shoes and slip them back on? What about the older folks that just can't do that? How about people really dressed up. They may feel more than a bit awkward about this practice.

Are bare feet or stocking feet better than some other alternative?  Are Buyers and agents who have never been in the owners home before aware of all the potential pitfalls. A staircase. chipped tiles, uneven floors, carpet tack striping with the possibility of nails protruding especially around thresholds? How about looking at the back yard or patio? Does a homeowner really expect that someone is safe outside in their yard barefooted or especially with socks on? This isn't the same as inviting friends and guests to slip off their shows when visiting. They are usually coming in and sitting down, not investigating every room or aspect of the house, yard and garage.

Why would a listing agent not prepare better for this?  If there is a cultural reason involved, that is another issue that needs to be dealt with. The sellers need to appreciate that they are selling their home and chances are the Buyers are not of the same culture. They may need to relax this rule at least as far as the viewing public is concerned. I try to get them to accept the shoe covers as a compromise while understanding completely that removing the shoes may be about the showing of respect for the home. I lighten the subject reminding them that many live differently with differing cultures and priorities. If that doesn't work then put that information into the listing remarks. Explaining the circumstances at least allows the public to go or not go to this property if the cultural practice is one that they can not accommodate.

Booties or shoe covers are easily obtainable and they are so inexpensive. I advise my sellers that  if your home is a " Shoes Off" environment, I respect that but I will provide an alternative for those that may have difficulty dealing with it. I have gained many points from sellers for thinking though carefully just these types of scenarios and realizing there are answers for most of the awkwardness created in selling a home. 

And one more important thing: If "Shoes Off" or shoe covers are part of the showing instructions, how about providing a place to sit. This is also a good idea for safety concern. Leaning on walls or doors for balance is not very good or reliable. Provide a chair or bench where all this is to take place.