Do You Remove Your Shoes at Appraisal Inspections?

No one was home.  The owner had left a side door open for me.  I was met by a friendly golden retriever as I entered the house.  Subconsciously, I had two thoughts; this is not the cleanest home I have ever been to and if the dog is allowed in the house—who knows what I might find on the floor.  The fact that the home owner was not home sealed the deal for me.  I was not taking off my shoes—not this time.  I proceeded to do my thing, patted Rover on the head, and locked the door behind me as I left.  As I was exiting the long driveway, I received a phone call.  It was the anxious homeowner.

Her:  How did it go?

Me:  Just fine.  Friendly dog.

Her:  Yes, she is.  Did you happen to remove your shoes when you came inside?

(What?  I had never been asked that question before.  Why would that be the second question she asked?  I admit, I briefly thought about lying, appraiser shoesbut then thought better of it.)

Me:  Normally I do, but I admit, I did not this time.

Her:  (Long, audible sigh).  Oh, I hope you did not track mud through my house (she was clearly annoyed).

I assured her I didn’t and apologized for my unprofessionalism in keeping my shoes on.  My answer to her had been correct, I DO normally remove my shoes whenever I enter a home.  I do it out of respect and it typically gets met with “You don’t need to take off your shoes” from the home owner  I do it anyway.  I believe it shows an attitude of deference that makes a good impression.

There are times when this rule is not followed.  Sometimes the condition of the home is such that I honestly worry for my safety in removing my shoes.  It is those times that I choose to keep them on.  What about you?  Do you remove your shoes during an appraisal inspection?

Dustin Harris, Creating ‘Value’ for Real Estate Appraisers

77 thoughts on “Do You Remove Your Shoes at Appraisal Inspections?”

  1. Yes, ABSOLUTLEY!! Unless there are those cases as described above where I see the house is less than tidy, or my safety was a concern. I always have homeowners tell me to leave my shoes on too, but I usually say something like “I never know what’s in these things…Or I just came from a muddy construction inspection”, and take them off anyway. I feel like it sets a level of respect you have for their property, right from the start.

    1. I have never seen any other professional take their shoes off. Not my doctor, lawyer, etc. I never take my shoes off. It is a matter of respect for me.

      1. Absolutely agree with Steve.

        I’m not wandering around anybody’s house in my socks or putting some silly sock bootie over the shoes unless specifically requested to by the owner. And then I’m rather annoyed unless their carpet is brand new.

        1. I do not. I also have never heard of other professionals doing this. If I am asked I will. I’m especially upset if the realtor asks me if it is a sale….this does not apply to a new house where perhaps the final finished has been put on the wood floors…But honestly it just doesn’t come up that much. IF my shoes/boots were really muddy of course but on an average day not a problem.

  2. Yes, I do remove my shoes at the door unless like you say the home appears to be unsafe to do so. I was raised to take my shoes off at the door, still remember my Mom saying “take your shoes off”. Many times the owner does say you don’t have to and then many say thank you for taking off your shoes. I think it shows respect for their home. By they way, folks in Kentucky do wear shoes!!!
    Iva Davis
    Davis Appraisal
    Crestwood, Kentucky

  3. Iva Davis says:

    September 16, 2014 at 10:24 am

    Yes, I do remove my shoes at the door unless like you say the home appears to be unsafe to do so. I was raised to take my shoes off at the door, still remember my Mom saying “take your shoes off”. Many times the owner does say you don’t have to and then many say thank you for taking off your shoes. I think it shows respect for their home. By the way, folks in Kentucky do wear shoes!!!
    Iva Davis
    Davis Appraisal
    Crestwood, Kentucky

  4. Never! Instead, I use plastic shoe covers. It takes less time to slip them on and off than it does my shoes….and are much more sanitary. I use them over and over. I still have the majority from the very first box I purchased years ago. Homeowners find this much more professional than walking around in my socks.

    1. Plastic shoes ? Where did you buy them ? I use those cloth shoe covers and they are so cheap they come loose half the time. Thanks for the idea.

  5. I never remove my shoes. I don’t trust even nice houses that are well kept to have their animals trained and I’ve dealt with wet socks more often than I care to discuss. I use shoe covers I order by the box! Cheap, plastic and a guarantee that what I track through outside never comes inside. I used to change shoes at the door and had a pair of “inside” shoes before I found the shoe covers, but the covers are much easier to manage. Y’all enjoy taking your shoes off, but there’s more than one way to skin this cat!

  6. Judgement call…but yes, almost always!! Lone exception is vacant foreclosures with scattered debris where safety is an issue or they answer door of a dirty home with their shoes on and encourage me to leave mine on also and smetimes, I still take mine off.

  7. I don’t remove my shoes unless requested. What other professional takes their shoes off at the door before coming in? Insurance salesmen don’t, attorneys don’t, plumbers, carpenters, and electricians don’t either.

    1. 3 of the 4 you mention are trades people, NOT professionals. Appraisers are not viewed as professionals because for the most part they do not act that way!

  8. I often remove my shoes, agree with the comments about the circumstances-judgement call. However, I had a “dog” experience also. Left my shoes on owner’s front porch as I often do, upon leaving, couldn’t find one shoe. Their friendly dog was busy playing with in around the corner. Rather embarrassed home owner.

  9. In the 25 years and almost 14,000 properties I have been asked to remove my shoes less than 10 times. Someone mentioned “professionalism”, it is my opinion that removing your shoes is very Unprofessional. Unless it has been raining and you are muddy from your exterior inspection then yes but otherwise no. You must remember that you are doing them a service by appraising their property. They should make every attempt to make the inspection process as easy as possible as far as I am concerned.

  10. I don’t know of any other professionals coming in my house who remove their shoes. If rainy outside, then they are removed. Otherwise, this seems unprofessional to me.

  11. I agree with John Pacelli. I know of no other profession that comes into a house and removes their shoes. I live in a period New England colonial… immaculate and if you come into my home I would never ask you to remove your shoes. It’s different for those living here. But I don’t think I’ve reached the point where I can’t sweep up a little dirt. Of course, if my shoes are muddy etc…… I consider it rude to be asked to do so but will if asked of course. Do it automatically??? No way…….. Again, in over thirty years of appraising overall it’s never really been an issue.

  12. I always ask. The owners rarely wants me to do so. I believe that the professionalism is in the courtesy you extend, not in your or the owners expectation of the other, because a professional sets the appropriate expectations through proper communication, and everyone is different.

  13. Interesting discussion. In 35 years I have only been asked to take my shoes off a couple of times, and I wasn’t happy about it. I have never done it without being asked, never even thought about it. Maybe it’s a locational thing.

  14. It is a judgement call at the door. I always look at the home owner’s feet. If they are bare or have slippers on, I don’t ask, I just take them off. If they have shoes or sneaks on, I don’t ask again. If I am unsure at the door , I ask. It’s all common sense and courtesy

    1. The Spicy Italian

      In reading all the comments, this one by Scott is the most logical. Common sense. There is no right or wrong in this case.

    2. mishla gershenson

      I operate just like Scott. When in Rome… Taking shoes off or not has nothing to do with how professional you are.

  15. If the weather is bad or was bad recently I do. The homeowner usually says not to worry about it. If they aren’t wearing shoes and I see other shoes lined up inside the door, I take mine off. If the house just looks impeccable, I take em off. But 90% of the time I don’t take off my shoes and I have never used shoe covers. I do wear Vans that have very little tread so they do not pick up muck in the tread and they wipe off better. I have taken off my shoes out side on the porch and had dogs take of with them.

  16. I have the advantage of having a turf toe and plate in my shoe. I WANT to take my shoes off every time but I can recall one time (before the turf toe) when I had a Muslim client. I was told by the lender and the owner to remove my shoes. I stepped in and removed them in the foyer, it was raining outside, then put them outside with the rest of the shoes. Apparently not good enough, they cancelled the deal with the bank.

  17. Honestly – no; I do not take my shoes off at the door . I do my interior inspection first so I don’t track their yard into the home, so its generally not an issue. I live in Georgia and don’t know of any other professionals or trades that take their shoes off before entering my home. If the homeowner requests that I take off my shoes, then of course I will. It’s their home, their rules. But I have only had that happen three times in the last five years.

  18. I wear slip-on shoes in the field for this reason. Most of the time my shoes are wet from morning dew, rain, or something the dog left in the yard. Just be careful where you leave them…….I once had the homeowner’s puppy chew the tops out of my shoes!

  19. Shoe covers are the way to go. A box of them will last for years. Easy on and easy off and clients appreciate the act of professionalism.

  20. From day one, at my first inspection. I have always felt it was an act of respect. I prefer to take my shoes off when not necessary rather than leave them on when I shouldn’t. It is not my house. I am a guest. I appreciate the opportunity to be there. The homeowner is not doing me a favor. Yes, I am there to perform a professional service. That gives me no special privileges. If the house rule is “no shoes inside” I must, as a professional, respect that rule. As I do not know the house rules, I prefer to err on the side of caution. Obviously, there are times I do not remove my shoes. Under construction, debris in a foreclosure, etc. But even where there are inside pets, off with the shoes. Even if the homeowner is wearing their shoes. It is their house, their home. Not mine.

  21. BE CAREFUL WITH YOUR SUGGESTIONS! I do the alternate which is place “disposal booty covers” over my footwear. Several years ago, I used to remove my shoe/boots then I contacted a several case of something like “athlete’s foot.” or more like “jungle rot” during an inspection. I have never had this type ailment in my life but this time; however, the worse case scenario happened. It cost me several trips to the doctor ($) and a new pair of boots ($ not to mention the pain and discomfort ). You can get the “booty covers” at any paint store. (get the water proof type. They are about $.25 cents a pair and I discard them after each use. I keep several pairs in my inspection kit so when the need arises, I will have them. I also keep a hard hat for construction site usage. There are are times when appraisers have to look out for themselves too. Food for thought!

  22. I always have an extra pair of shoes and also rubber boots for the exterior inspection. After the exterior inspection, I change to my “inside shoes”. I will remove my shoes only when the homeowner requests it. Having “outside shoes” is better than shoe covers because the shoes still must be cleaned after removing the covers.

  23. I agree removing your shoes can be and are a health hazard. Once I removed my shoes per homeowners request. They had polished wood on the stairways. Without any traction I almost fail down the stairs. Other times walking in a dirty basement track foot print on the carpeting. The stories go on. It is a safety hazard and a health hazard to remove your shoes.

  24. One day I went to a property where they raised Arabian horses and pure bred Doberman dogs. There was an outside kennel for the dogs, very nice, and some interior ones in the basement of the home. As the owner and I walked into the back door of the house, the owner opened up a pet kennel by the door. Out came a cute female chocolate Doberman. She was naturally nervous with company in the house, yet happy as she started to circle the entryway and rub up against our legs. Thankfully I had removed my shoes as I suddenly felt a warm current of urine on my stockings. Needless to say the owner was mortified, and all I could do was laugh and pull my socks off and look at the house in my bare feet. At least my shoes were safe. I finished my field work, and to this day I always take off my shoes unless it’s new construction.

  25. You were right to tell the truth especially given the increasing number of homes with video surveillance. I’m more shocked that you went into an occupied home without the owner or their representative present. What would your response have been when the owner said my $5000 Rolex or $10,000 engagement ring is missing? I’m not saying you would do such a thing but what if a dirt bag went into the house an hour after you left or the owner saw an opportunity for a fraudulent insurance claim? I’ve had home owners give me similar offers and I always refuse because I don’t want to put in that position.

    1. Matt an appraiser

      If someone had to be present at the home, half of my appraisals wouldn’t occur in a timely manner. We are professionals. If an owner says something is missing, they would have to prove it was you who took it. They would have to have a video recording. And since I am honest, they would never see me taking anything. Most appraisers are honest folk. I rarely take off my shoes unless asked too also. If it is raining I will, but otherwise I won’t. I also tend to do the interior inspection first.

  26. I keep a pair of Crocs in my car that I slip on for the exterior inspection and change shoes before I go inside. I have only been asked a few times to completely remove my shoes for religious or cultural reasons.

  27. Shoes…pants? Hey, I’m up for anything!
    My question is how do you deal with the obsolescence of a floor that is so delicate it can not handle shoes?

  28. I ask them if THEY take off their shoes in the house….then follow their direction unless I know my shoes are not in good condition. I have also started carrying covers.

  29. I try to remember that the inspection is personally invasive. We see so many that for us it is no big deal, but for some homeowners it can be very nerve racking. For me, a judgment call is made every time I enter a house; I typically prefer to leave my shoes on, but will take them off in most cases if the homeowners prefer; I usually ask. I would rather a stranger left their shoes on in my house and take my chances on the dirt of the world over the germs of an individuals nasty feet.

    Carpeting really is the issue. You can put a permanent dirt stain on it with your shoes or catch some nasty germs when socks are worn. Can’t win with the nasty stuff. Carpet is gross.

    I agree with the other poster on the issue of entering an occupied home without an escort – I don’t do it, ever. Vacant, no problem; occupied, forget it. Same deal with a minor, I don’t do it.

  30. The cable guy doesn’t, the electrician doesn’t, the home inspector doesn’t, the plumber doesn’t, the painter doesn’t, etc. In my 30 years and 30,000 appraisals I have been asked maybe 10 times, I always respect it of course, it is usually a home of obvious Eastern flair where such is customary. As a true hardcore Floridian and sailor I only wear boat shoes without socks. Hence there is no way I would be comfortable going bare foot in someone’s house. That’s my two cents worth.

  31. I usually remove my shoes. There are of course exceptions. Don’t think it’s unprofessional. Also some owners might prefer that you remove shoes but are hesitant to ask. Repairmen and others that enter frequently aren’t as invasive. We are literally all over the house. Either shoe covers or remove shoes is best in most situations – just my opinion.

  32. I know common sense is above our pay grade, but come on. If your shoes are dirty take them off . You would not go into your home with dirty shoes. If you not want to take your shoes off and they are dirty take an extra pair with you. I know our pay sucks with all the appraisers that are willing to work for nothing, but hopefully we all have two pairs of shoes. As far a being professionals we got over that with licensing and allowing the government to tell us what does and does not affect value and how to properly to say it.

    Mike Haynes

  33. Never, unless asked. Then I have shoe covers. I don’t want dog/cat hair all over my clean socks! If it’s bad weather, I do the interior inspection first, then do the outside last so I won’t track up the house. I have only been asked two times if I would mind removing my shoes, and the shoe covers were a satisfactory comprimise. I wear tall boots, this is Texas, and I do a lot of rural appraisals. We have snakes, etc that like folks in penny loafers!

  34. Never, unless asked or if bad weather and got mud or snow on them. It is unprofessional in America to do so and in over 30 years I would not expect anything different. Houses are homes made to be lived in, not a gallery or museum to only look at them. Iowa.

  35. Any disability/workman comp type insurance plans require you to wear shoes at a jobsite. I always wear shoes, however, I have a 2nd pair that I switch into or use shoe coverings when entering a home. Cheap Croc like sandals work great. The appearance of a clean home versus a dirty home can be very misleading. Within just the last 6 months I’ve had a nail stab into my shoe that was left on the ground in a brand-new home when they were installing the vinyl in the kitchen it got flipped and was poking up through the vinyl. It was near corner and very easy to miss visually but I found it with my foot.

  36. My vote is for shoe covers. They easily fit in my pocket and look professional in dirty and clean homes. Some owners might be put off by some stranger walking across their carpet in sweaty socks.

  37. Absolutely , except…

    In some cultures it is extremely rude not to remove shoes. (Think about the surfaces the bottom of your shoes have been on- they are rIght). BTW- if you meet one spouse you don’t know the nationality and culture of the other. In those cultures they will tell you you don’t need to, but when you remove your shoes they will smile and thank you. Great bridge builder.

    Exception #1- the situation you mention, then buy some shoe covers from a hospital supply co. $25 for a lifetime supply.

    Exception #2- the foreclosure, where there is broken glass etc, the footies or just leave on.

    You are a guest in someone’s house.

  38. I think it depends on where you live! Here in the desert, it is rarely necessary to remove your shoes. If it’s raining or snowing (rare) I will remove them or if I stepped in a “land mine” in the back yard. I love New Mexico!!

  39. I agree with Joey, it is unprofessional to be bare foot; leaving or picking up bacteria? I for one am allergic to dogs thus the dog hair on my socks would annoy me. I look at the homeowners feet – if I had considered the house to be clean from the outside. If the homeowner has on shoes, no brainer, I leave mine on two. If they don’t have on shoes, I ask. A few times in 14 years – and find it to be rare that I’m asked to remove them. One house she asked me to remove my shoes because her “housekeeper” was “there.” It was one of the dirtiest floors (in every room) I’d ever walked on! I think you did it right.

  40. I do not remove my shoes, unless requested to. I agree, no other professional does. I also change into boots to walk around the outside of the house as I do not want to ruin my shoes and then I know they are not muddy when I move on to my next inspection.

  41. Yes I remove my shoe’s most of the time, unless as you described above. I do it out of respect and also you never know what you may have stepped in outside. You wouldn’t want someone tracking mud and such into your house. I do have homeowners tell me its OK to leave them on and I say its just habit and I take them off anyway. I have thought about buying the booties that go over the shoe’s that some technicians places use when they enter my house. I have seen Real Estate listings that request you to take your shoes off before entering.

  42. Living and appraising in Hawaii, it is the custom (and a VERY STRONG one) that you do NOT wear shoes in a house. Except for vacant and dirty foreclosures, I will always remove my shoes, even if the homeowner says it is not necessary (rarely happens). It’s of of the advantages and the prices of living in Paradise.

  43. I would say that I take them off about 80% of the time. It used to be 100%, but one time I stepped in a huge spot of dog urine on a carpet. It soaked my socks completely…yuk! I decided right then and there to become a bit more discriminating when making the shoe removal decision. If the home does not appear to be well maintained, then no, I don’t even bother any more. If the owners don’t demonstrate a willingness to clean and maintain their house, I am not going to put my tootsies in harm’s way.

  44. I usually ask, unless a quick glance at the floor indicates that the floor is dirtier than my shoes. Then I only take them off if they ask me to. If they ask me to do so, then I take them off, but if they say no, then I leave them on. I think you did the right thing, If the dog can run around with dirty feet, your shoes could not be worse.

  45. Like many others, it’s a judgment call. I usually leave mine on these days, and I do my interior inspection first most of the time, so my shoes are generally clean. If I have been to a prior inspection, I will either have checked my shoes to make sure they are still clean, or will remove them if they are muddy. If the home has pristine white carpet, I will remove them even if I think they are clean.
    Have been asked to remove my shoes only a couple of times that I recall. In one case it was cultural, and the homeowner asked if I minded removing my shoes and offered me a basket of clean slippers to choose a pair from to wear through the house. In the other, I have no idea why they asked – it wasn’t a cultural thing. They had a dog inside, and as I walked down the basement steps my foot I stepped on a wet (dog urine) spot on the carpet. Ugh!
    Sometimes after inspecting a nasty house or a construction site, I will remove my shoes before entering MY car. Actually, I usually take rubber shoes for construction sites, but there’s always the occasional surprise. In those cases, I keep a supply of trash bags to hold my muddy shoes and keep them from ruining my car interior

  46. Would never do an interior inspection without the homeowenr or someone there over 18. Too many liabilities. That being said I can usually tell if I need to remove my shoes. I usually chat with the homeowner at the door introduce myself, present my business card etc. At that point I can usually tell if my shoes should be removed in which case I ask. Most of the time they say no.

  47. WHY IS THIS SUCH A BIG DEAL AMONG A LOT YOU PEOPLE???? if the H/O is (are) there and make a point about removing shoes, then no problem, I’ll do it in my socks–or put on a set of “booties” I always carry…but being concerned with a H/O who says later (after giving you access to the [less than pristine] house with a dog present???? NO, I see it as being far too concerned with being too PC..it should have been mentioned right up front (I believe most of us REALLY experienced appraisers realize if we have massive mud/yard stuff on our shoes after doing exterior, we “adapt)) if such a concern for H/O…otherwise–if after the case, then you blow them off (nicely) and call your TRUE CLIENT the lender or AMC and give them a heads up….I can’t believe so many out there are so concerned over this POSSIBLE situation….again PC run amuck…in approx. 15 years have only run into this problem 4-5 times and normally with new construction that has not even been lived in and there is a note from builder and/or realtor. Most of you are spending fifty cents on a 10 cent problem,,,,,,With all due respect, Akabear, Florida

    1. I agree with u 150% aka bear. I wouldn’t even think this would be a topic for discussion. Then i saw how many people responded…well i thought maybe many appraisers have gone into homes where the shoes were discarded at the door and they did likewise. And so have i. But i went down to the bottom to reply and happened to look at the few from the bottom, i couldn’t beleive what i was seeing. I haven’t even looked at the replies above u that u replied to, but from your response, i guess they’re pretty much the same. Who’s been teaching appraisal courses lately!?! Is this what they’re teaching y’all. All you need is manners. If you start ouside and you shoes are dirty and if they don’t clean off, then by all means, u should not track that in someone’s home/home to be/new construction/etc. You don’t have to even ask. If u see the shoes lined up and owner is there, then ask if they would like you to do likewise. Or if no one is home and u haven’t gotten any instructions or request to do so and the only shoes u see are kids shoes, then use your own discression(as long as you shoes are clean)
      Someone below mentioned that the community that they are in appears to have the shoe removal a pretty prevalent situation, so maybe i’m jumping the gun a little thinking y’all are all wakos. So if that’s the culture there, well, “When in Rome, do as the Romas do” . Then you’re doing what’s expected. I have no problem with that. But i doubt that all of y’all’s communities are that way. It’s not that way here. This is just another one of those things that emphasis gets put on; like all the other check-off things on the reports that have nothing to do with accurater values. I have been doing this for 30+ yrs and there have been some dirtbags come and go that didn’t give a s__t about real value, were in colussion with lenders, etc. There wasn’t a value that couldn’t make, as long as they kept getting the business from the fly-by-night lenders. These are the people that gave us more and more and more rules to go by.(many of them feel-good rules that tried to stop one problem and started a host of others) Hopefully, most or at least many, are gone. Well, i guess this got me with at least one foot on my soapbox. Appologies about the rambling.
      But come on; always taking your shoes off,….. even if the homeowners don’t! Are y’all looking to get canonized or are you wanting the homeowner to like you because you know the value is not likely to come in?!?

  48. Yes I remove my shoes. Most of the time the owner says you can leave them on. Then I check to see if I have any mud or grass on them. If I do, I take them off. If not I leave them on.

  49. After a hello greeting and giving them my card, I actually ASK every time “Did you want me to take off my shoes?” The reason why is that I prefer to keep them on, rather than having to come back to the front and carry them out to the backyard in hand to do the rear photos and sides. Also I am more steady for sure with shoes on versus socks only. I know they appreciate the offer. My area, cultural preferences, I find that it is around 50% in San Jose and surrounding areas that families have a Shoes Off policy. It has increased substantially in my area, and actually I’m seeing a LOT of cleaner homes because of it. Thanks for the fun topic Dustin.

  50. It depends on the house. If I walk in and see a pile of shoes by the door, I ask if the owner would like me to take my shoes off. I often have shoe covers that I put on when I show up unless the house is a REO property. I had one case where the owner asked me to take my shoes off and during the appraisal walk through I found where their little dog had urinated on the carpet.

  51. Beware of polished hardwood on stairs if you are removing your shoes. I was in my socks (at the homeowner’s request), slipped on the stairs, took a not very graceful tumble, landed on and shattered the new digital camera in my back pocket and banged up my back pretty good. Unless it is a cultural issue, I tell this story and wipe my feet real well.

  52. I’ve gotten my socks wet too many times (in the bathroom) or stained with oil from their garage to continue the nonsense of taking off my shoes anymore. Floors were meant to be walked on and I won’t play the game of removing my shoes and possibly stepping on something in a house with basically almost bare feet.

    I keep a spair pair of tennis shoes in my van that I can put on in case the shoes I’m wearing are muddy. But I refuse to walk in my bare socks in someone’s house when my shoes aren’t dirty. They can’t guarantee me that their surfaces are perfectly clean.

  53. Let me say this about inspecting the interior of an occupied home…I NEVER enter an occupied home when no one is there, NO EXCEPTIONS. If it is a sale the realtor MUST meet me, it is their job and that is why the get “the big bucks”. Granted, lately they have become quite lazy about having to do their job, too bad!
    I do not carry an electronic (MLS) key primarily for that reason, it is the realtor’s job to meet me there. If that means we do it another day then so be it. I also will not enter an occupied home with only minor children there whether it be a sale or refi, an adult MUST be present. Vacant (empty) homes not a problem but, if it is a sale and does not have a combo lock box on the door, the realtor or owner MUST meet me there. I’ve been in this industry since 1966 and have really had no problems with that premise. We might have to reschedule to another day to accomodate the over worked Realtor but, we do what we have to do.
    As far as shoes off, that just depends on whether mine are extra dirty and does the owner have shoes on?
    Some cultures leave their shoes at the door, I will also. I NEVER go into a home that has not contained their pets in the garage or another room while I do my thing. That has NEVER been a problem.

  54. Must be an east coast thing where snow, mud etc. is common.

    IF it is raining and my feet are wet, I will remove my shoes. IF there is a line of other shoes outside the door (or sometimes immediately inside) suggesting a cultural habit of shoe removal, then I will do so.
    If the owner is in socks and there is a clearly new carpet I may do so (or ask).

    Other than these instances I do not do it routinely, nor is it s sign of professionalism in my market area. IF there is a pet on the property that I MAY under exceptional circumstances have to reluctantly kick in the teeth, I am not going to remove my shoes. I am not obligated to be bitten or stepped on barefoot by dog nails.

    I would be more offended at the dog being left in the house and not being notified of it in advance. YOUR lovable, friendly dog that would never hurt a flea KNOWS you. It does NOT know me. I AM an intruder in the house. Rover may well decide he has a higher obligation to ‘protect’ his “masters” property. I am not giving him a bare foot to chew.

    Never had to hit or hurt a dog yet, and hope I never have to, but I HAVE been bitten (nipped and snapped at) by dogs before and I do not leave myself voluntarily vulnerable to them. There may be a time when there’s no time to slip a clipboard between me and Cujo.

  55. I was just thinking…

    How about the idiot homeowner or agents that choose to water the flowers and shrubs and trees right up next to the house where I have to walk; climb or crawl through in order to measure? You know the ones. They also let their dog dump in the “garden”. It’d be awfully tempting to collect samples of each and return them to their owners inside. Never did it, but….

  56. I always offer to take my shoes off, and for many reasons.

    Did i walk to property first on a bad weather day, i want to respect the owner of the home where maybe it is their culture to not have shoes on in the house, i see their house is spotless and do not want to track everything else i was walking in around their house, are there crawling babies (i did not want my son crawling around in dirt), etc.

    Sometimes i don’t. I usually have a feel on what to do once i enter the home.

    Plus unlike many other professionals, we are going through every room including bedrooms, bathrooms, etc… Especially if there is carpet.

    I appreciate it when my friends remove their shoes at my house as most of it is carpet , unless i am hosting an event with many people as that would get out of hand.

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