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In Minnesota, Going Barefoot is the Only Way to See a Home

By
Real Estate Broker/Owner with Kirby Fine Homes
 One thing that surprises buyers that come to the Twin Cities to look at homes is the house etiquette they must abide by. The number one rule is that upon entry, buyers and agents must remove their shoes before they venture further into the home.

I have had many question the reason, but it is definitely easier to explain in the middle of winter. Take for instance a winter day, which was covered in a nice layer of slush. Imagine if you were a home owner who had to clean up a mess of dirty slushy footprints all over your newly cleaned floors. It would make anyone mad. Luckily, most sellers help out and provide a large rug where we can put our shoes, and some are even nice enough to provide a chair to sit on.

I remember one buyer, having worn lace-up shoes, refusing to take them off when we went in to a vacant home. I made it plainly clear that just because no one lives here, doesn't mean we throw courtesy out the window. He got the point and took off his shoes.

So the best piece of advice I can give when shopping for your next home is to wear slip on shoes. Trust me, by the time you get to the fifth house, you will be soooo thankful!