As it turns out, shoes – and whether or not they should be worn into the house - can have a significant impact. Some sellers are horrified at the idea of people coming into their home wearing shoes – others are horrified at the idea of "someone's sweaty feet" leaving prints on the hardwood or soiling the carpets. Of course, some don't care one way or the other, but buyers and their agents have no way to know which is which unless the listing agent makes good notes – and the buyer’s agent reads those notes.
Sellers aren't the only ones who have an opinion. Some buyers simply refuse to view a house if they're expected to remove their shoes. For others, removing shoes presents a physical barrier – think of someone who wears orthopedic shoes or braces, or who needs a shoe horn to get their shoes back on.
At the same time, there are buyers who won't consider a home where "people care so little that they let visitors walk around in shoes.”
What's the answer? Booties. Sellers who want to protect their floors should provide a box of booties and a sturdy chair at the entrance door. But since not all do, I carry a few in my car for those occasions.
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