For Alaskans and Other Cold Weather Homeowners

Shoes or Socks?

In Alaska, most of the year people are entering your home from snowy or wet or muddy streets so they have learned to be very good about taking off their shoes when entering your home. Some still wonder if they should take off their shoes or not when viewing homes for sale. When your house is on the market, you should add a small discreet sign thanking people for taking off their shoes so they will know the rules for this home. No one should really object but if a comment is made, a little smile while commenting "we've got to keep it nice for the new owners" might remind them that this act might actually be for their own benefit if they decide they like the house.

Where to Put It All?

The area where folks will take off shoes & coats needs to be expanded beyond "normal" usage. Pretend you are having a party. Instead of the one floor mat you normally have inside the door, you should provide several - the additional traffic gets these soggy rather quickly. You might also have some extras stashed away to trade out if it gets too mushy. A couple of dark colored towels in a basket might be helpful as well.

Make sure lots of room is cleared for shoes. I visited several open houses where folks were tripping all over the place. You have to make way for folks entering and exiting with all those shoes at the same time - much unlike a party where people don't usually arrive and depart simultaneously. This is the first impression potential buyers have entering your house, make sure it is comfortable and welcoming.

Even if you normally don't have a coat rack near the front door, you might consider installing one before open house. Also, you can make additional hanging space by using removable over-the-door hangers that can be purchased at local Lowes/Home Depot/hardware stores.

Make a Safe Entrance

One open house I visited had something I thought was very clever. So that folks could walk more easily up the walkway from the driveway (especially with ice) they had rolled out a long outdoor mat - these are pretty commercial looking, but it was highly appreciated and commented upon as folks were removing shoes. And I left thinking that homeowners were really organized and thoughtful to do this (or perhaps it was an extra touch provided by their realtor).

Create a Mud Room

As I attended more Alaskan open houses, I really starting paying attention to the entry hall space at the front door as well as the importance of mud room areas when entering from the garage. If you don't have a mud room, clear space in the garage to create an area to hang coats & remove shoes. A simple bench and a floor mat is a quick fix. Even though the open house visitors don't enter your house this way, as they look over your home, they will note that this cold weather necessity has been met.

For more information, contact Theresa at 907 522-1089.