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Recording Potential Home Buyers

By
Real Estate Broker/Owner with HomeBuyer Brokerage

 

We were videotaped in a house for sale!

video recorder in kitchen

I read an excellent article in Marketwatch last month about sellers recording potential home buyers as they tour their home. This weekend, it happened to me and my buyer clients. 

A green blinking light caught my eye as I was checking out the kitchen cabinets. As you can see in the picture, this video recorder was plugged into an outlet. My clients thought it was funny but it did feel weird. I started humming that old Michael Jackson song, "Somebody's watching me...." as we went through the rest of the house.

And then we found another camera, this time in the family room. video recorder in family roomAgain, my clients took it in stride but we wondered why the sellers would make such an effort. The house was completely vacant, so it's not like the cameras were used to keep an eye on personal belongings. At the end of the house tour, my buyers decided the house was not for them. The layout was odd so they made that statement directly to the camera and we left the house.

The lessons learned from this experience;  If you really love a house, don't say so while you are inside. Save that conversation for the backyard or even in the car. Some takeaways from this experience -

  • Don't talk price or strategy when you're inside a home. 
  • Refrain from touching any items on bookshelves, tables or dressers. You don't want video of you handling personal belongings especially if something goes missing. 
  • Compliment but don't criticize the seller's furnishings. If you make an offer on a house after trash talking their decorating, your offer may end up at the bottom of the heap! 

In a 2014 Realtor magazine, there's a list of the specific audio & video recording rules for each State. If you are working with a seller, make sure they understand the recording rules. If you are working with buyers, assume that you are being recorded. It's better to play it safe since this type of recording could be difficult to prove in a court of law. 

Happy House Hunting this Spring! 

 

 

 

Posted by

Victoria Lynne Henderson

Real estate broker and business owner of HomeBuyer Brokerage serving buyers in Washington DC, Maryland, and Virginia. Victoria was born in Washington D.C. and loves her hometown!

Learn more about exclusive buyer brokers & agents at HomeBuyer Brokerage

 

 

Certified Negotiation Expert

Serving home buyers in Washington D.C., Maryland & Virginia 

Comments (8)

Nina Hollander, Broker
Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC
Your Greater Charlotte Realtor

This has been going on for quite a while... not sure what the purpose is in a vacant home. In NC it's illegal to record unless you've notified people in advance that it's happening. But I'm sure there are those who flaunt this rule but if I ever catch someone doing it, I'm reporting it in a NY minute. The listing agent will also be liable as they are supposed to put notices of recordation.

Apr 23, 2018 12:37 PM
Ron and Alexandra Seigel
Napa Consultants - Carpinteria, CA
Luxury Real Estate Branding, Marketing & Strategy

Victoria and Marshall,

It is disclosed here on the property brochure particularly when a system is evident as to whether it is owned or leased.  We all assume videotaping in progress.  In commercial buildings like markets and stores, there is signage required that one is being recorded.  A

Apr 23, 2018 12:59 PM
Victoria Ray Henderson
HomeBuyer Brokerage - Washington, DC
Washington DC Real Estate

Thanks Nina! I have been hearing stories but this is my first time experiencing it. Very weird. Thanks for commenting and have a great week!

 

Apr 23, 2018 01:46 PM
Victoria Ray Henderson
HomeBuyer Brokerage - Washington, DC
Washington DC Real Estate

Hi Ron and Alexandra, I will now assume that videotaping is happening here in the DC area. Thanks for commenting!

 

Apr 23, 2018 01:46 PM
Bob "RealMan" Timm
Ward County Notary Services - Minot, ND
Owner of Ward Co Notary Services retired RE Broker

This is a good reminder Victoria Ray Henderson Marshall Henderson as Nina Hollander said it's getting to be old hat but that's when we start to drop our guard.

Apr 23, 2018 02:05 PM
Sharon Tara
Sharon Tara Transformations - Portsmouth, NH
Retired New Hampshire Home Stager

We only noticed cameras in one house we visited for an Open House during our

recent home hunt but we treated every showing as if it had cameras just to be safe.

We actually have a couple of cameras in our home but they don't have audio, only visual. 

Apr 25, 2018 06:49 PM
Victoria Ray Henderson
HomeBuyer Brokerage - Washington, DC
Washington DC Real Estate

Thank you Bob "RealMan" Timm I appreciate your comment! and Sharon Tara we just have to assume we are being recorded. Best of luck finding your new home!

Apr 26, 2018 05:19 AM
Sharon Tara
Sharon Tara Transformations - Portsmouth, NH
Retired New Hampshire Home Stager

Thank you! We found it and have already closed. We are in the process of painting and preparing it before we move in soon.

Apr 27, 2018 06:27 AM