Buying or Selling a Home/Real Estate Etiquette

Advertisement

Expert: - 6/8/2009


Question
QUESTION: Madam, My wife and I are putting our home on the market. We remove our shoes at our door and guests do as well. Our agent recently came to our house and my wife asked her to remove her shoes. So I my question is this: Is it ok to ask agents to go barefoot while showing our house?
Thanks!

ANSWER: Hi Ken,

In many cultures it is custom to remove shoes ... we have many homes that desire to remove shoes...

Have your agent put a notice in the MLS under agent remarks and at the front door, along with booties... they sell these very inexpensively try (oriental trading company on line) ... keep the house in clean, neat condition and ready to open for a buyer...

Good luck...

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thanks for the reply.
I talked to my agent about what you said and she will put notices up. About the booties, she does not prefer them and said guests are generally fine with going bare foot. In your experience is this the case?


ANSWER: Hi Ken,

Keeping open communication with your agent is the key!

Personally I don't think anyone wants the bother of booties... but if you want them to put them on.. have your agent or you can buy them, put them in a basket at the door and request that visitors adorn their feet in you pretty blue paper shoes... (keep in mind everyone will go barefoot if you have no booties to put on)

I hope your home sale goes well...

Good luck!

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Connie,
You've been very helpful and I appreciated it. Just one last question for clarity's sake: Have there been cases that you have gone barefoot showing or viewing a home?

Thanks!

Answer
Hi Ken,

Yes there have been times where the seller wants shoes off, does not supply booties, and I (and others) were not in stocking feet... so yes we have been barefoot...

Again, as a seller... your call on this.. out our way not an issue to anyone...

But I would have the booties supplied...

Buying or Selling a Home

All Answers

Answers by Expert:

Ask Experts

Volunteer

Connie Wildasinn-Broker,GRI,RealtorŪ

Expertise

Broker,GRI,RealtorŪ, Investor since 1979. Buying or Selling Residential and Income/Investment Properties, How to understand the process, how to negotiate through the transaction, What to Look for - But more importantly 'What to lookout for!', How to tell if the time is right - or hold on and wait. Why not to listen to your friends and even your family members, Who really has your best interest at heart?. Understand why any market is a good market and how to spot a good investment for you! If you are looking in California.. check out my website www.MetroCalBrokers.com and if you need assistance in a neighborhood I don't service, I will locate a local agent to that area who actually knows their profession and can assist you in your needs!

Experience

4th generation Realtor in the real estate business, I have helped for over 2 decades clients buy and sell, I am the owner of a local brokerage in the Los Angeles /Long Beach area, and have been a top producing agent in the area since I became licensed. Working through a deal is different to every client, no two people or deals are exactly the same. Knowing how to bring professional advise to the table with clear and concise understanding of real estate world. I can help you handle your buying, selling and investing, managing a 1031 Exchange, working with Equity Sales, Probate, Pre-Foreclosure Regular and Short Sales there is little that I have not seen come across my desk over the decades!

Organizations
NAR, CAR, WCR, ABR, e-Pro, GRI, BKBIA, CHNA,SSG

Publications
Broker Agent Magazine Long Beach Business Journal Long Beach Press Telegram Signal Hill Tribune Grunion Gazette All Experts Zillow - Lead Agent - Advise Expert Truila - Advise Expert

Education/Credentials
Broker-owner, RealtorŪ, GRI,e-Pro, SSG-Short Sale Certified

Awards and Honors
Managing Broker for MetroCal Brokers. We merged my old brokerage with MetroCal this year, and we look forward to expansion and growth moving forward. We currently employ 30 Realtors and growing. 15 years running top selling agent in Long Beach, South Bay area California. Top Producer 5 years straight Re/Max, C21, Realtyworld.

Past/Present Clients
upon request = or check out our website www.MetroCalBrokers.com and check the Testimonials section!

©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.