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Wear Socks While Househunting!

Fashion advice on a real estate blog? Sure... why not?

Shoes Some may see this as fashion, but I see it as practicality and comfort. To be honest, it doesn't matter to me whether you show up for the home search in a three-piece suit, a leather mini-skirt, plaids clashing with polka dots, or sweatpants. I just want you to be comfortable and happy for your househunting expedition.

When heading out to go see homes, you'll likely notice that many sellers prefer that you take off your shoes. This is especially true when the carpets have just been cleaned and/or new carpets installed. After all, what potential buyer/new owner wants to mess up their own future home with dirt from the outside. Many homeowners selling their homes post signs admonishing potential buyers to "Please Remove Your Shoes!"

I learned this lesson a long, long time ago and generally wear my slip-on shoes as to avoid the repeated tying and untying of shoelaces during a lengthy home search. However, some of my clients are not as well-informed about this minutiae of the home search process.

Barefoot househunting Until today, I had never thought to warn my clients and present them with a dress code. However, I felt very sorry for one of my clients who had to remove her shoes at the 8 homes we visited today and walk around with bare feet on cold marble, tile, and wood floors!

ATTENTION HOMEBUYERS: PLEASE WEAR SOCKS WHILE HOUSEHUNTING!

Wear Socks While Househunting

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Posted by Brian Block -- Northern Virginia & D.C. Real Estate on 03/28/2010 09:24 PM

Comments (124)

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Originally posted at: Buy Alexandria Real Estate: Wear Socks While Househunting!

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124 Comments on Wear Socks While Househunting!

MAR

2010

Great Idea! Socks are important for sure!

And how embarrassing for the client that has HOLES in their socks! A forewarning is a great idea.

MAR

2010

I keep a pack of those little white footie socks in the back of my car for that very thing.... as a woman often in the summer I am in some kind of sandal which means I am barefoot if I take off shoes or stockings - I have given away a pair of these socks a time or two -

Great post Brian. Maybe I should start doing like Thesa and keep some socks in the back of my Jeep for my clients wearing sandals.

I think the IRS should have a special line on our tax forms for REALTORS ....a special line for new sox purchase expense. It seems only fair to me.

When I was not in real estate I didn't have this daily morning concern....so I should be able to write off my socks.....or at least depreciate them.

Brian.....when I sold my house, my team member who handled the sale had an open house on the first day of showings, and I insisted that all shoes come off.....there was a pile of shoes at the door from 30+ couples who attended at the same time!!!!

Brian- during the snow days the only footwear was snow boots and we had many homes to visit. It did make life difficult.

Great post. I have re-blogged this as a localism in Montgomery County, Maryland.

Taking off one's shoes sounds like a minor matter, but it isn't always. Laced up shoes which includes all sneaker types are awkward to on and off many times.

Seems to me that listing agent should prepare sellers to offer footies at the front door or put paper down on carpets OR be prepared to have carpets cleaned once the home is under contract.

Buyer's agents should warn buyers to wear slip on shoes if possible and socks if possible to make the tour simple and angst free.

This is a never ending problem.

I carry extra socks in my vehicle. Learned the hard way.

Not common in my area, but it's happened a time or two - I've always been warned by the listing agent ahead of time though.

Having almost done headers wearing the ohhhh sooo fashionable hospital scrub "footies' socks with gripper bottoms are my own choice for house hunts....and the caution should well be extended to buyers...great point !

Last summer at the Parade of Homes I spent two shifts asking people to remove their shoes. The builder posted a sign on the front door. "Please remove your shoes and carry them through the house." Some people got down right hostile, one woman slammed the door on me, twice, second time I got out of the way and the wall got dented. Really she should have been thrown out of the event.

I have no idea why the builder did not provide booties, but I know paying for a ticket does not entitle you to enter someone's home (it was sold) and track up the floors. We had horrible rain. There was mud everywhere. Of course people were wearing sandals and lace up sneakers. I was surprised how many people told me they were concerned with atheletes foot and how many gave me details about THEIR feet and why they had to keep their shoes on.

There are cultures where shoes are NOT worn in the house. I hate working with buyers who get an attitude about that.

Great post. There are many occassions where the seller has posted " please remeove your shoes". I have noticed some buyers get annoyed and hate the struggle with removing and putting on their shoes.

Brian:

This is a critical issues here in the Northeast, particularly in the winter. Not only should one wear socks but remember to wear socks that have no holes in them. I have seen some people embarrassed.

The shoe removal thing is a small nuisance, but buyers need to remember that they are in someone else's home. The only rough part of it is when there is an unfinished basement.

Shoe covers should always be offered as an option.

Great advice - but, it would be hard to apply here at the jersey shore. Our peak selling time is summer and socks are not part of the summer attire.

During an inspection the other day an entire family, with the parents of both sides of the purchase, all wore boots and it was muddy. Guess what happened when they all went inside?

Brian - We have to accommodate our clients requests, but why not just put a box of shoe booties by the door. They work like a charm, and are fairly inexpensive.

Brian - great thoughts - I am one who doesn't like the booties when my back is acting up..... they are not easy to get on!

Yes Brian it looks like we double as fashion editors too. I can't recall encountering a home where we had to take our shoes off, but if I continue in this business I am sure that I will at some point. I picked up some good advice about carrying footies in my car. That's something I can implement right away.

I always have the blue booty covers in my car in case there are none at the house - my buyers are always impressed that I have them and that way they do not need to take off their shoes at every showing.

Good post and there are some remove your shoes homes here too. This is good advice and merits the feature that it is

Brian, very good point. Looks like a box of disposable shoe covers are a must. Thanks.

New logo opportunity! Footies with your website emblazoned on them! I've seen signs to remove shoes posted by sellers and then been forced to walk over cheerios on the kitchen floor and all manner of things on the carpets. It's a two way street...you want my shoes off, fine...no problem. Sweep the floor in return!

Oh how true---I am also a sandal 'wearer' in the summer months (we have such a small window to sport our well manicured feet ;) I also carry the blue shoe covers in my car. It would be great to post the best place for pricing to buy these in bulk!

I'll make a note to remember my easy slip ons... it would kill me to have to do that 6 or 8 times in a day. Cute story.

Thankfully this is not too common here, I am a blue bootie fan and keep them and an emergency roll of TP in my car. You never know...

Hi Brian,

This would be a good thing to tell your buyers before even taking them on the home tours and for those who may forget, having a new, clean pair (s) in your trunk would be a very nice gesture... hey this could even be a marketing giveaway, get your logo ironed on the socks! Good reminder, this is a huge deal here.

I haven't seen that but I have seen knee high zip up boots and boots that needed a lot of lacing.

Brian, I wear slip on shoes too. Except when there is snow. I wear nice flip flops in the summer and clogs in the winter unless their is snow.

I try to remember to tell my clients but sometimes forget.

Kids...take a lot of time getting theirs on and off.

Brian, it is true. I have made that mistake myself with my cute sandals in the summer. I LOVE Karen's idea (#28) of having a spare pair or 10 in your trunk with your logo. GREAT marketing idea!

Hi Brian~ It seems that those sellers that require that the shoes come come off provide the option of non-skid booties that can go over the shoes....

Brian,

I keep a box of shoe covers in my car so that my buyers don't have to do the on/off. For my listings where shoes are an issue, I so note it in the MLS and provide covers at the home. Ordered a carton online - very cheaply...

We see this request quite often in our market so we just come to expect it. I like the above ideas of logo ones...and non-skid bottoms. Thanks for the post!

While showing homes in the rain yesterday, my clients and I visited a home where the homeowner requested that shoes be removed. Of course, "Mrs. Client" was not wearing socks and was uncomfortable walking about the house bare-footed. So, the husband and I tour the home without her. The husband liked the house and so, another showing must be scheduled for the wife to finally see the property.

Oh the things that stand in the way of viewing a home. LOL. I always wear slips ons and think I too will now carry socks, what a good idea from those above, thanks.

I have read how many germs and bacteria shoes bring into a home. We park ours at the door of our own home, so doing this for other houses seems natural. Bootie soicks are cheap, and I believe it adds to your professionalism by showing awareness and courtesy.

Yes, sock are a good thing, but I love the idea of shoe covers. And look at Irene's comment #33. She even leaves a box at the listing. Now that is brilliant.

Love the ideas Brian and I also don't like the booties either - they are so hard to put on...

It's amazing how many people get offended by this request - I can just imagine what their carpet looks like. Socks or booties are a great idea though, particularly for rainy/snowy days.

Shoe covers are a great idea. I agree with the posts above that inspecting the basement and/or garage without shoes on is a big turn off for people.

You do want to respect those whose cultural/religious beliefs require you to remove your shoes upon entering the home. In that case, socks would be important.

I went on a home tour of my development and one of the owners had a basket outside of the door with blue shoe covers in it, great idea!

Brian: I visit many homes owned by Asian clients here in Los Angeles. It is very common, and expected, that guests will remove their shoes before entering the house. Often they have a supply of slippers near the door. I always wear socks when going to homes to give estimates for home staging since I know that there is a good probability that I will be expected to remove my shoes.

Brian, great topic! I recommend my clients bring their household slippers when viewing homes. Especially since I live in Michigan and homes that are not heated or have the temp turned down in winter can be very cold on the feet. Often interrupting your buyer's home tour experience because they just want to put your shoes back on!

Sometimes the only thing a buyer remembers about a particular home was that they had to take their shoes off. lol

I like the leather mini-skirt idea.

Here in Arizona the dress code for men is baseball cap, t-shirt, shorts and flip flops without socks!!!

What a fun post ... thanks

Oh, and anyone can carry a non-concealed weapon here, so you may see a belt and holster with a piece holding up those short pants that are hugging the bottom of the butt. :-)

Brian - That is good simple advice...I once entered a home that had major fleas...thank goodness I was wearing socks to offer a line of defense from biting fleas.

One the topic of athlete's foot, have you encountered anyone who had to take off their shoes, only to track white talc powder all over the house? Booties should always be an alternative to taking off shoes.

Brian:

Also war socks when you are flying since airport securtiy makes you remove your shoes!

I know several agents who have taken bad falls on hardwood or tiled floors wearing the blue booties. I like the socks-in-the-trunk-of-the-car idea, or the hospital socks with gripper bottoms. You make an important point here, Brian.

I hadn't thought about providing socks/booties for my buyers. Guess I'll add that to the "tool kit" I carry around with business cards, contracts, flashlight, tape measure, etc!

I always make sure I have no holes in my socks.

I take my shoes off when sitting open house.

I keep shoe covers in my open houses most of the time.

Prospects often take their shoes off when you do.

Great advice and something that we usually forget to warn our buyers about.

Brian--Great reminder. Here in the Lake Tahoe area, I also have to remind buyers to bring boots, jackets, gloves and hats. It can be 20-30 degrees cooler than where they are coming from!

Brian- When we bought our home in VA, I remember one of the houses had a nice note asking buyers and their agents to remove their shoes as a courtesy to the future owner. There was also a basket of disposable booties. I later learned that the listing Realtor was one of the most successful and respected in the area. Hm-m-m- wonder why....

Brian - great post . I like the pictures you inserted.

Brian, I am going to reblog since we do have some sellers with these silly signs on the door. I personally don't take my shoes off when I work so I don't enter houses like this. That being said if my buyer wanted to view the house they would certainly want to have socks on.

Brian - Great post! So simple, yet very appropriate especially with the sandals of summer coming along. Lots of folks wear the slides or flip-flop type shoes that don't require socks. Maybe I'll toss some cute socks in my vehicle for those house hunters who need them.

Brian- Very enjoyable post! In Florida, it is much less of a problem I think. However, I like your suggestion and would add, ladies if you are showing in sandals, have a pedicure. It is the finishing touch to a well dressed shoeless look.

Brian - good idea, Now that summer is coming, there will be many buyers with sandals who would be barefoot. My pet peeve though is having to take off shoes at a really dirty home.

Great idea to warn clients ahead of time so they're prepared.

And, great photos! Where did you get them?

Brian, the things we have to do to get a home sold, or to help a buyer purchase one. But it odes make sense. There are people who require you to take your shoes off when entering their home, evven when they are not selling, so I can only imaginge that such a person selling their home would ratchet it up a bit.

I agree with the comment to just use shoe covers. Plus they are a tax write off. Shoe Cover resource

Its warm here so socks are out of the question. Bare feet on tile or marble floor is okay! :) That's a good idea for colder climate areas though. A lot of my clients want to take their shoes off in bank-owned properties as well. I highly recommend they keep them on just in case. You never know what could be in the carpet from bugs to needles (which I have heard of before).

I agree with the nice pics comment. It's also tough when the buyers (or you!) have holes in their socks.

I had a showing one time where the buyer was asked to remove shoes and the buyer's mother was there who was elderly. It would have taken her 10 minutes to remove her shoes and she did not want to be bothered and just left!

David in Boston

Great post - I have a hilarious story from just this past weekend involving socks and houseshoes and a non-english speaking seller. Glad my buyers had a sense of humor.

I recently have started reminding my buyer before they leave home to grab some easy shoes to deal with.

It does not happen to often here that sellers ask people to remove shoes. Here at the beach shorts and flip flops are standard attire. I have even had a few clients show up without shoes.

This is a great post with a very practical, oft forgotten tip! Love the graphics too.

Nice post! I request that my buyers bring slippers, during the winter months, when looking at foreclosures.

Brian,

I have to admit I had a crazy thought when I read your title!

"Why is he checking for fleas? Why is he even showing homes that have fleas?" (If you wear white socks and the place has fleas, your sockswill be COVERED with them!! Don't ask me how I know!)

Glad your blog took a different direction!

LOL ... this is a great post! Thanks for the info.

I have a drawer full of colorful pattern socks. Often my family and children wonder why I always put on stylish but crazy patterned socks. It is now a habit I formed from showing property. When a seller has white carpet or a sign that states please remove shoes, I never want to be stuck with dingy and dirty socks so I make stylish socks a part of my wardrobe.

Yep, normally buyers only make that mistake the first time out. Then you need to do a post about your buyers socks cleaning sellers dirty floors! Hair tumbleweeds, cat food, kids toys and you haven't even made it to the kitchen yet! I wear those 1/2 socks and get home & bottom of my socks are trashed.

Hahahaha - great post Brian - It is so hard for elderly clients to take off their shoes - I have had people say they just wouldn't go through the house, because it wasn't worth it - it would hurt to much to go without their shoes!!! I love blue booties and carry them in my car and buyers are very grateful!

Nice observation Brian! This is something that many buyers do not take into consideration when searching for homes!

Here in Hawaii the custom is to always remove your shoes when entering someones home. I have found some mainland buyers are uneasy with this, so I carry a box of those surgical blue paper booties in my car for them.

Aloha & have a GREAT day,

Biz

Sometimes the obvious is not so obvious.

Sometimes when getting dressed in the morning I need to remember I could be making a fashion statement when I take my shoes off! Quite right.

Good post,

I run into take your shoes off a lot during Broker caravan. I always try to wear slip on shoes for that very reason. What really disturbs me is when they ask you to take your shoes off and the floors are filthy and have pet stains on the carpet. I understand that some cultures require no shoes indoors, but that is rarely the case.

I think if the seller wants you to remove your shoes then they should supply a basket at the front door with those slip on booties that go over the shoes.

Brian ~ So true. I had a buyer one time remove shoes at the request of the seller. I could tell by the look! Lot's of holes in these socks. Great point!

What a little known but important fact to remind buyers of! I tour most every week and I have to make sure I'm wearing slip ons (much easier with ladies because we mostly wear slip ons for dress shoes!) but more importantly, pantyhose so that my feet don't freeze and honestly, it just doesn't feel right walking around a broker open in bare feet - at least not before it gets warm outside!

Yep, you don't think to even remind anyone. This is a good post to reblog...Thanks!

Instead of booties, I picked up a dozen pairs of $1.99 slippers at IKEA, and keep the bag of them in my trunk. Buyers seem to think they're "cool", particularly because they come in a lot of different colors.

I second the idea to have little grippy thingies on the soles ... of socks...or boot covers... or whatever you may be putting your logo on and handing to a client. (# 11's good point got lost, I think). Polished hardwood floors and staircases [for example] are slicker-n-all-get-out for (plain) socks. You want to be able to convey them to the next house scheduled for showing and not have to have a side-trip to the emergency room.

What a great and unique post. I can't tell you how many times, especially in the summer, when my buyers and I end up walking around barefoot on those chilly floors. Thanks for the tip!

I bought a box of bboties that I take with me and people like it

Hi Brian, Great post! I prefer when booties are provided by the front door instead, it's a lot faster and easier.

Good blog. We don't get many request to remove shoes in our area, but sometimes we do.

Love the post Brian. It would really suck to have to walk around barefooted all day long. Of course in my area we don't have this problem. Most of the REOs don't even have flooring!!!

Might seem tacky, but I like to put plastic runners along the carpet to give them a path rather than ask them to take off their shoes. I also like to put a mat inside every entry to reduce dirt and dust. When they see runners, they usually know to stay on it, but I hate the idea of requiring them to strip before touring the home. I think it's a barrier and unless you're there to police it, it's usually useless and not followed.

Brian,

Yes and make sure they do not have holes in them to!

Hi Brian - great advice. I've seen sellers have boxes of those throw-away blue booties available at their front door if they insist on having buyers take their shoes off. Which has started me wondering....perhaps I should carry a stash of these booties in my car...hmmm...

I post the signs frequently asking buyers to take off their shoes. Sometimes that doesn't even do the trick. I just recently had someone track mud onto this carpet that had just been steam cleaned. I called the agent and made her go out there and clean it all up. Socks are crucial. Realtors should keep an extra set in their car at all times.

I have a spare pair in my car trunk.

You know how Mom has everything in her purse? Some Realtors have everything in their car trunk. When I last left my car to be serviced at the shop, emptying the trunk into the loaner took a good 20 minutes.

But lets agree, with soggy spring in DC/Virginia, you must admit, it makes sense, since not all realtors have the courtesy to suggest to their buyers to slip off their shoes.

Myself, I'm with Brian, slip on's are the only way to go.

Brian,

A few moons ago I was looking for homes here in Vegas and arrived at one where the sellers wanted prospects to take off their shoes. Well, I told the real estate agent that let's go to the next one and we turned around and left. It can be an issue in other areas.

I encourage sellers to provide footies to eliminate problems with realtors and clients. It's only a matter of courtesy to make sure the home is left in the same condition when entered.

Attention Sellers: We will be wearing white socks in your house and will base any potential offers on what is on our socks when we finish our tour.

Very cute....I know it didn't take me long to figure out the importanceof slipping on and off the shoes....we really should let our buyers know.

Brian - I noticed that at least one person already mentioned this above, but my first thought was to make sure your socks don't have holes in them, either. :) I learned this one the hard way.

I like Thomas' comment. Good advice.

Sounds like a great idea. I don't know too many in my area who wear shoes without socks. As for lace ups that can be a problem. Also, in my area the request to take shoe off is seen sparingly. I'll be thinking about carrying exta socks in my car after reading this.

I very rarely wear anything but slip on shoes for this very reason. It just becomes too much of a headache.

MAR

2010

One idea is to keep a pair of slippers in the car and put them on when you enter a property.

that's the aloha spirit! please remove shoes at the door!

Glad that is not the norm in Arizona. I very rarely see any signs requesting that everyone take off their shoes. If the Seller doesn't want people's shoes on their carpets they usually put out plastic to walk on.

Desert Mountain Scottsdale Real Estate

It is very hard for many people to have to take off shoes -- orthothotics and such many people wear --- the kind and courteous thing is to have booties to slip over ones shoes readily available if people are not to wear shoes on the carpet -- either that or lay down plastic on traffic areas like many model homes do.

In Hawaii it is proper to always remove your shoes unless the property is a distressed sale and not safe to go without the shoes.

I saw an agent with big holes in his socks. Not good.

Brian - I loved this post. Removing shoes here is fairly common, although in some cases the houses don't deserve it! LOL

Lots of people have no issue with this since we do a lot of barefootin' anyhow because of the weather. What was REALLY a pain was walking into places back in Boston in the winter and having to remove your shoes, But at least there is made more sense - tracking wet snowy feet around someone's house is not cool.

Jeff

I carry socks and footies as well...In the rural south it is not as big a deal, but in the winter months those floors can sure be cold.

Good post and so basic. One of the first things I learned in this business is not to wear my cowboys boots.

Brian: It is basic but probably the last thing on folks mind before looking at homes. I always wear slip-ons for tour days (but only after getting tired of bending over, tying my shoes and potentially getting whacked in the head when the next broker opens the door) and will remember to prepare the client. Comfort is important. ~ Doug

Great post Brian, so simple!

That's a great tip. I'm going to start including it in my buyer's consultation. I always wear socks and slip ons.

Brian, great post. Had to re-blog it. Thanks! ---Gloria

MAR

2010

I always thought a listing agent should provide booties because most buyers don't want to take off their shoes. Though there is an area out here with a strong Asian culture that requires you take off your shoes whether you have booties or not. I never thought about providing booties for my clients as the buyer's agent (Duh) thanks for the post and bringing me out of my brain freeze.

Call me crazy but I think I'd rather have a complete stranger wear their shoes than walk around my house in bare feet. Feet are so...well they're feet. Haha

MAY

2010

I have a generous supply of footies in my car at all times! I even take my own to Brokers Opens.

SEP

2010

Great post! As an investor, I've learned this lesson the hard way while walking through foreclosures. I've walked through overgrown yards in flip flops only to find interesting things in my toes, I've ruined a BRAND NEW pair of Adidas sneakers with soot from a burned out building, and I've gone into a flea-infested house with shorts only to come out itching and scratching. LOL...what a business!

JUL

The personal loans are essential for people, which are willing to start their own business. As a fact, it is easy to receive a sba loan.

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McLean, VA

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