We have the pile/plush Smartstrand and love it. I wasn't sure about the "tracking" as you call it when we first got it, but now it just comes across as a luxurious yet casual carpet. You only notice footprints after it's first vacuumed. Walk across a few times, everything blends and you are good to go. Another option for less tracking would be the Smartstrand Frise. Have you checked it out? We plan to use it in our bonus room when we finish it. Stain-wise I have been very impressed. Even when DS2 cut his foot (& didn't realize it) and tracked quarter-sized blood splotches all over his bedroom, the stains came right out with just a tap water dampened clean cloth. Did I mention our Smartstrand is white? I was mortified when I saw what had happened (after I got him cleaned & bandaged up of course). I was thrilled when the stains came out with very little effort and no chemicals required. We looked at the Shaw, but it was no comparison (in our opinion) to the Smartstrand when it came to softness & the stain technology. Check with your local Lowes or HD--they also carry Smartstrand and I believe their contractors do the powerstretch--if not the warranty isn't any good. Hope this helps!

They both bloom equally I would give anything to get a holed of Flower Carpet Pink again. Have not been able to find it anywhere. In my yard it never behaved like ground cover. All branches where held up off the ground. Once established she was very heathy. She stood about 3 feet high and a 4 to 5 foot circle covered all season with loosely double flowers from head to toe. Never a problem with her flowers except as with all roses the JBs. So I guess you might say that I loved FCP. Pink Supreme is gorgeous and very healthy. Always full of flowers they are brighter than FCP. The growth habit is harder to predict. It is mostly out on the ground first than the laterals head up. I have learned not to prune an errant cane unless I would like a hole bunch more. I have five of these and for what ever the reason (only the rose knows) they all grow differently. Two have remained little round ground covers for 3 years in a row now maybe 2 feet high and 2 feet around. One is hugh 4 feet high and six feet around. Two grow like flower carpet scarlet if you have seen that one. It is also spectacular but very large. So with the music of Jeopardy playing in my head. If I was forced to choose it would be FCP. Only because the growth was more predictable.

Have the current carpet professionally cleaned. Don't worry about the squeaky floor. It won't turn off buyers. If these homes are used as staff accommodations, the buyer will simply be looking for safe, clean, and in good repair. I would spend my money and effort on neutral paint. The luxury vinyl is a pretty good product. If you must install new flooring, this is what I would select. Just be certain to install it throughout the upstairs, not just one room. Visually, the continuity of material is pleasing to the eye. There will be no return on investment if you install any type of new flooring, unless the old flooring was in such bad condition as to be a negative.

You don't need a high pile anything on lower level or bedrooms. Pick ONE neutral carpet for both floors, and then something bolder/different for your stair. If at all Possible? Even better is the LVP everywhere, use AREA RUGS..........and just runner or carpet the stair. Higher piles have nothing to to with comfort or warmth, really. Climbing out of bed onto an area rug is just as comfortable as any edge to edge broadloom. Your will have more unity in the house, a larger feel, and for kids? An opportunity to use inexpensive area rugs as they grow, and decor changes over the years. it's also a better long term solution. Bedrroom and closet carpet gets dirtier faster than anywhere else in your home. Why? It is where you spend more barefoot time, change clothes.......dust is largely human skin. Bare feet are the enemy of broadloom. LEAVING FOOT OILS BEHIND, THE MAGNET FOR DUST AND A GUARANTEED GRUNGE TRAFFIC PATTERN. : )