The time you saw only one set of footprints, was the time that I carried you... (with Muddy Boots).

That season is upon us (for those of us located in northern climes, where the seasons actually change)... the leaves have changed, the temperatures have dipped, and it's bound to be followed by beautiful crystals that fall from the sky and must be shoveled away in the bazillions.

As real estate agents, we show lots and lots of homes. And as listing agents we wait for calls from our sellers telling us that:

"They didn't take off their shoes in the foyer, and tromped footprints all over my clean floors, or all over my freshly cleaned carpeting.  There were dirty footprints everywhere!"

So... a plea.

LISTING AGENTS:  Be smart... be proactive.  Save yourself a rug-cleaning charge.

Please make sure that you provide a "landing place" for viewers shoes.  A little shoe tray, or a very absorbent towel, set in the foyer, clearly for the purpose of putting shoes.  You can even "seed" the towel with a pair of your own boots or shoes to show them what they're for.

Have a doormat, on the outside and the inside of the doorway... so people can wipe their boots and shoes.  Have a comfortable place for people to take them off (a chair, perhaps, or bench)... and make sure you put a note up, asking them to "Kindly remove your shoes, the sellers take pride in their home, so that you can, too".

Have "booties" available for those who simply "won't" take their shoes off.  I know that you want them to, but some people just won't.  They don't want to walk through your home in their stocking feet.  Every now and then you run into a buyer who's wearing knee high lace-up gladiator boots.  And they're just not gonna do it.

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BUYER'S AGENTS:  I know we get a lot of push-back from buyers who just don't want to take their shoes off.  Be a mensch, insist.  Forewarn your buyers before your appointments... "Wear shoes you can remove easily... loafers and slip-ons are best".

If they insist on keeping their shoes on... make them wear the booties provided.  If the sellers haven't had the good sense to provide booties... it would be great if you had a few pair in your car.

Set an example.  Remove your shoes as you walk in.  Don't say "oh, the weather isn't that bad... c'mon, we can leave our shoes on".  You might know that your shoes are clean, but you never know what the client stepped-in on their way into the house.

Common sense, people.  It's not rocket science.  Courtesy... it's what's for dinner!

ALAN MAY, Realtor®
Specializing in Evanston Real Estate and North Shore Real Estate
Coldwell Banker Residential Real Estate, 2929 Central Street, Evanston, IL 60201
847.425.3779      Cell: 847.924.3313      Email: Almay@aol.com
Evanston Real Estate & North Shore Real Estate

    

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