A little extreme.  The booties can be a pain, but useful.  The only time it bothered me was when I was on a home tour.  We had our choice at every house to either put on the booties or go barefooted.  Well, I am a home grown California girl, so barefooting it was a natural.  Then came the last house.  Nope...no bare feet - booties over the bare feet!  I just didn't quite get it!  From the reaction of others, they didn't get it either.  But bottom line...it's no big deal and I think you just got a bad apple.

I think like Paula, you just got a bad apple . . . I often think of someone sharing with me, when someone cuts you off in traffic, let him/her go, let them have there accident somewhere else . . . but one question, how will the shoe coverings protect the floors from stilletto heels? unless you take them off and walk bare-foot with shoe covers.

Paula, There is always the other side, Even as an agent who understands this stuff, If Im wearing shoes that are a pain to get off I will pass on seeiing the property. Especially when I know My shoes are clean, and especially when the home doesnt warrant covers :)

Great song, How do you get that to play while your writing on your blog, I love it

I understand your desire to protect the clients property, but floors are designed to be walked on. You are selling a home not a museum. My first reaction would be to question the quality of the hardwood

I think a potential buyer should get the feeling that they are "at home" when they are at an open house, If they get that "museum feel", I think you have missed the mark with your staging. The beautifully framed notice you describe sends the wrong signal... You might as well add a sign that says, "please stand behind the rope barriers"

By the way if the weather is bad, or if the home is in a construction zone and the landscape is not complete, I would expect the booties.

Buyer mentioned in blog is a jerk, period.  there is no reason to be offended over shoe covers.

Yes, it's a home not a museum but also if there's lots of traffic in and out of the house it can get dirty fast especially if people forget to wipe their feet going in.  some of my clients have white or light colored carpet.

It is unfortunate that we cannot no matter what we do make everyone happy....

One of your comments reminded me of a home I toured that didn't provide booties, but wanted shoes removed.  I won't go into the details, but the floor was so dirty and disgusting, when I got done, I got out the wet wipes I keep in my car and cleaned my feet! Uck! That is when I want booties!

Paula- Thanks for the comments my native sister!  I too prefer the barefeet, but as you mentioned what is the harm in putting on some booties, it only takes 3 seconds out of your day!

Mike- Glad you feel that the client was just a BAD APPLE, thanks for visiting!

Brett- Playlist.com, thanks for your comment.

Ron, Ron, Ron-

Karen- Glad you agree, thanks for stopping by!

What you experienced was a bad case of over-reacting!  Reasonable people are much more understanding.

Ok I will withdraw my comment and offer a new one

To answer your question:  "Are shoe protectors scaring away potential buyers, what do you think?  Or do you think that this customer was just a BAD seed!"

I think the guy you describe was a bad seed, or at least he was having a bad day and I also think shoe protectors on a nice day are somewhat "off-putting" and a bad idea

If someone can not appreciate white carpets they would not have liked the home.  I like it when shoe protectors are provided, I don't like it when I must remove my shoes, if that is the case I ignore the request and walk on.

Take care!

RJH

PS, Like the music!

I'm not sure I understand why he would storm off, and it's not like you asked that he remove his shoes and maybe he had holey socks!  I have been wondering how the builder of the condo models I am staging is going to handle all the foot traffic through the models.  One model is the upgraded model and will have wood floors in the main living area and a light colored carpet in the Master Bedroom.  I would think booties would be better than protective runners (whether paper or plastic) laying over the flooring. 

I agree that if the weather is bad and it is likely that buyers will have dirty shoes booties are acceptable.  I also agree that even though a house has light colored carpet it is probably more welcoming not to have to wear booties.  In my experience a lot of people will remove their shoes out of courtesy anyway. I was a judge for the Kansas City parade of homes last fall and one vacant house asked us to wear booties - almost the entire house was wood or tile flooring, so we really didn't get it and most of the judges did not wear booties. That house did not get very good remarks, either.

I hate removing my shoes when going into homes either properties for sale or friends home.  However, I do it but I don't like it.  I do think if you are going to ask people to remove the shoes the booties are a great idea and a very nice touch.  Of course if it is rainy, muddy or snowing etc... it does make sense.  If I was a potential buyer and the outside of the house wasn't appealing to me and then I had to take my shoes off to go inside I just might turn around and walk away - especially if I had on boots.

This doesn't seem like that big of a deal to me, we should be used to strangers seeing us without shoes these days, everytime you go to the airport... and it looks to me like these booties go over the shoes???? By the way where can I get some of those for my husband, he will not stop walking on the carpet with his boot's on

Hi Michelle:  This is a great post.  I "think" it does bug many people (not just buyers) when they have to take off their shoes OR put on protectors. I'm not sure why, but I have even grumbled when I've had to.  However, I ALWAYS do out of respect for the sellers and the Realtor.  But I understand why it has to be done.     

Kristina-Thanks for your comment, come back and visit.

Ron-Thank you for your honest opinion. I agree that shoe covers should probably be used only when the weather is bad, or people have dirty shoes.

RJH-Thanks for stopping by, I am glad you enjoyed the music!

Kathy-I agree shoe protectors may be better than plastic runners.  I think that runners can be distracting and noisy to walk on.  They also take away from the look and feel of the home.  Good Luck!

Tori-Thanks for your comment!

Sandra- Thanks for your comment!  It seems to be a little inconvenience for some, but when you think that the flooring will be protected from any high traffic coming through the house, it makes perfect sense! Your absolutely right about the outside of the house not having curb appeal, it can be a turn off! So I think potential buyers may have made up there minds not to look inside before they are even asked to wear the booties! Curb appeal is everything!

Ronelle- You can usually find these at any medical supply store or they sell shoe covers also for painters, that you can find at any home improvement store. 

Kat- You are a respectable type of gal and that's why you understand that common courtesy always comes first!  Thanks for sharing your outlook on this.

I think you did everyone involved a HUGE favor!  Someone who is that unconsiderate of others would have been a horrible customer/client to work with.  Can you imagine going through a contract with a hothead like that? 

Don't question yourself for others bad behavior!!!

Totally reasonable request in this area. We see Shoes Off signs in homes NOT for sale.

Pam-  You know, I try to give my clients the service they deserve. I thought that by protecting the flooring we would show potential buyers that the house was properly maintained.  I guess ypou can't please all of the people all of the time!  Thank you for your  kind comment!

Sarah- Thanks for stopping by, you are so right about that.  I just staged a house last week where we were required to take our shoes off before entering the home.  Not an inconvenience at all!