Mark Nash, author of 1001 Tips for Buying and Selling a Home, provides home buyers home runs and fashion punches when looking for a home. It may not be obvious that what he wears when he looks for a house can affect what he pays for a house. Years of showing homes and introducing potential buyers to home sellers, the way buyers project themselves fashionably makes quite an impression.

First impressions of real estate agents and home sellers are all they have when evaluating potential buyers. If you look well-groomed, low-key, and wear clothing appropriate for your home’s price range, you could pay less than the tattooed, long-haired, over-jeweled, and ripped-jeans buyer you’re competing with multiple bids for the same home. . Buying a house is a business transaction, so think about business clothes when buying a house.

Women

-The pants are fine, but make sure they are not low riders.

-Get rid of t-shirts, tanks, and tank tops. House hunting is not a vacation.

-Skirts are great. The minis send the wrong message.

-Wear comfortable but presentable shoes. You will be doing a lot of walking, climbing stairs, and going in and out of transportation.

-Forget about high heels. Spiked heels on shoes can easily dent bamboo and other softer hardwood floors. Also, if you went into the yard to take a look at the roof, you could end up aerating up your lawn.

-Leave the animal prints for when you’re in a disco. Busy or fussy fashion styles can be distracting and not make everyone’s top ten fashion list.

-Simple jewelry and limited quantities accentuate your business outlook. Skip the bling, otherwise you could end up paying more for a house, because sellers think you can afford it.

-Simplify makeup, hair and manicure styles to appeal to most people. You won’t get a better deal because sellers love your fabulous acrylic nails.

-No fur coats, ever. It’s an outlandish, political statement that could cost you a house or an extra $10,000.

-No low cut or revealing look. Very rarely do homebuyers get a gender discount.

Men

-Check that the soles of the shoes are not covered in mud before entering any open house. Many homebuyers never made it to the kitchen after walking on a freshly cleaned carpet in dirty shoes.

-No jogging, gym clothes, bike shorts or bathing suits. Unless you’re trying out the workout facility in a condo building on your second visit.

-Business casual pants are best, but if you must wear jeans, make sure they are clean and not ripped.

-Open-necked shirts work well, but real estate agents and home sellers don’t need to see your polished or not-so-polished chest or four gold chains.

-Think twice before wearing more than one earring. If we were all equal, life would be boring.

-Skip the tank tops and muscle shirts and no showing elastic waistbands on your underwear, please. You can activate Mr. Houseseller, but Mr. Houseseller may not appreciate it.

-Limit the exposure of tattoos, they are fashionable, but not for everyone. The same goes for checkers in this case.

-Wear simple patterned shirts with matching plain pants. Remember that red denotes power.

Don’t dress too much to impress. Leave the cufflinks and French cuff shirts at home.

Both

-Coffee “cups to go” are not a fashion accessory. Coffee easily spills onto carpets when climbing stairs or opening cupboards and cabinets when touring properties.

-Baseball caps are for bad hair days. Plus, they send the wrong trading message by buying the biggest asset you’ll ever own.

-Wet umbrellas should be parked outside the front door, not on hardwood floors or entryway tables and chairs.

-Wear slip-on shoes when touring the open houses. You may be asked to remove your shoes out of cultural respect for the owner, inclement weather, or newly installed floor coverings.

-If you don’t want to take your shoes off buy and wear blue disposable surgical booties-or ask your agent for a pair.

-You must wear socks or stockings. No sandals, period. If you are asked to remove your shoes, homeowners may not necessarily want your feet bare on their floors.

-Cell phones. If you need to make or receive a call, please go to a place where you will not disturb others at the open house. Never negotiate a home purchase contract into a different property contract while you are looking at a house.

-Carry bicycle and motorcycle helmets with you. Ask before parking them on any surface.

-Shorts are okay if they are close to the knee. No ripped or too tight styles.

-Dress for the season. Don’t wear shorts in snow or black wool in August, even if it’s your best househunting outfit.

-Remove sunglasses when inside buildings. People expect some eye contact.

-Be careful with perfume. Lots of people are allergic to it nowadays and they could be the owners of the house you fell in love with.

-Put cigarettes, cigars and pipes out of sight. They’re not exactly a popular fashion or political statement in 2006.

Children

-T-shirts, pants, shoes and socks are required.

-Diapers are not in fashion.