Why Smart Sellers Are Asking Buyers to Lose Their Shoes

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Published Date 6/11/2025

In much of the rest of the world, guests are asked to remove their shoes upon entering a home. This practice is often seen as a sign of respect as well as a way to keep the interior clean. But did you know that if you’re selling your home, instituting a no-shoes-in-the-house policy could help your place stand out?

Realtor.com’s Anna Baluch explains that by insisting shoes stay off in your home, you have the best chance at keeping your floors in good condition—and, in turn, attracting buyers who are immediately impressed and motivated to make an offer.

Agents agree that flooring is one of the first things buyers notice when they walk into a home and a pristine, well-maintained floor (thanks to a shoes-off policy) shows cleanliness, care, and attention to detail. “Much like the walls, the condition of a home's flooring says a lot about how the home has been cared for,” says Baluch, who consulted with a flooring expert as well. “Scratched hardwood, stained carpets, or chipped tiles can signify neglect, making buyers question the home’s overall maintenance,” says Ohio-based flooring consultant Bruno Mendolini.

If you think about it, immaculate floors create a sense of a well-kept home, fostering trust and increasing perceived value. “Homebuyers often walk through houses barefoot or in socks, especially in shoes-off households, so they're extremely sensitive to texture, cleanliness, and condition,” says Mendolini, who also points out that flooring also impacts light reflection and room ambiance.

“Highly polished hardwood or glistening tile can make rooms seem larger and brighter, while battered floors can make big areas appear outdated or cramped,” explains Mendolini. Unblemished flooring makes the home appear move-in ready, which saves a potential buyer thousands of dollars in the long run.

Hardwood is damaged by dirt, gravel, and high heel impressions, requiring costly refinishing to restore its shine and original elegance. Baluch found that keeping your wood floors in good condition can pay off when it's time to sell, boosting the sales price of a home by as much as 2.5%.

Carpeted homes requiring a no-shoes policy eliminates dirt, oils, and bacteria tracked in from outside, preventing stains and odors that can be very difficult to eliminate in addition to maintaining its inviting plushness.

Keeping shoes off tile, vinyl, or laminate, you spare these surfaces from abrasive particles or embedding dirt in grout lines. This keeps tile from appearing dull and prevents the wearing away of laminate's protective coatings. It also prevents scuffs on vinyl and keeps it glossy.

“A shoes-off home says a lot to potential buyers: an immaculate, well-maintained, health-conscious property,” says Baluch. “It becomes associated with caution and has buyers concluding the homeowner has also been attentive to other aspects of the home.”

Truth be told, cleanliness has become even more important to many homebuyers in the post-COVID-19 era, with a shoes-off guideline helping to reinforce the idea of a hygienic, well-kept home. “Health-conscious buyers, especially families with kids or allergy sufferers may prioritize homes with a shoes-off policy,” says Baluch. “Not only can this mean less bacteria, pollen, pesticides, and street grime, it may improve air quality and create an overall more hygienic home.”

And for buyers with special health needs, a no-shoes policy may be what encourages them to choose your property over another. Baluch offers ways to quickly adopt a “shoes-off” policy by:

• Displaying clear signage by the entryway saying, "Please remove shoes to protect our floor—thank you!”

• Offering slippers or shoe covers by placing a basket of clean, disposable shoe covers or some washed slippers or socks of different sizes for visitors and homebuyers.

• Designing a shoe rack or bench near the entrance to encourage cooperation and keep the area tidy.

• Making sure there is a small rug to catch any remaining dirt.

Even with a shoes-off policy, however, dust and wear can accumulate. So make plans for light cleanings or professional polishing prior to showings to keep your floors in immaculate shape.

Realtor, TBWS

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