Open House Etiquette

How do people feel about removing shoes while touring an open house?

How many people feel like removing their shoes while in someone else’s home?

In our own homes, some of us feel that it is rude to ask guest to remove their shoes. Of course, the courteous thing to do is to remove our shoes when visiting someone’s home and wait for the homeowner to invite us to leave them on.

There are times when removing shoes seems odd.  I was at a holiday party one evening a few years ago where shoes were part of the attire – it was a rather formal party so I was surprised when the staff at the door asked not only to take my coat, but my shoes too! Everyone looked strange walking around in gowns and suits and stocking feet!

At open houses and when touring homes it is different. You are not a guest in the home. While the homeowner wants to sell, it is somewhat of a violation to have people you don’t know opening your closets, looking in your pantry and opening kitchen drawers. To think that they are willing to traipse around with shoes on at the same time is offensive.

There are some people for whom walking “barefoot” is uncomfortable and for them most agents will place booties at the front door. But even with booties in a basket, the subtlety is lost on some people and we have to greet them with a sign that says “Please remove your shoes.”

But even with signs, there are people who will choose to leave shoes on, but a good agent will remind people to remove them. I have thought it enough to bend over to remove mine, leading by example, only to find that I still have to ask some of my clients to remove their shoes.

Believe it or not, removing your shoes could help your negotiating position if you choose to put an offer on the home. If the homeowner has an opinion about a visitor who wore shoes (homeowners can usually tell, even if they were not home at the time of the open house), they may be reluctant to negotiate with that interested family. Our behaviors often define our character in another person’s eyes.

So, do yourself a favor when touring open houses and wear slipons or booties!