Patricia Kennedy I would have loved to see that. A
Aug 11, 2016 05:30 AM
Patricia Kennedy I would have loved to see that. A
Thank you for commenting with all of this useful supplemental info Ron and Alexandra Seigel. It is a great idea to advise clients to remain quiet during a viewing. Wouldn't want to compromise a negotiation position.
As for the crimes, I found far too many stories to list. I had to pick a few that represented different issues to give a bit of a survey of what can go on. The prescription drug theft is far too common. So many kind-hearted people never consider the fact that their medication might be sought out and stolen when they try to sell their property.
Great strategy Sybil Campbell. Important to take necessary precautions to fulfill your fiduciary duties to your clients to the best of your abilities.
Exactly Dorie Dillard! I don't blame the seller, just plan accordingly.
Allie Angeloni exactly, there are legitimate concerns to be had by sellers. I don't disagree with the decision to keep an eye on their property, so people need to be prepared.
Bob "RealMan" Timm with that mindset I'm sure being on your best behavior in another person's home has never been too difficult!
S. Leanne Paynter ☼ Broward County, FL the vague definition of "confidential communication" should definitely lead people to operate on the safe side. Inside someone else's home it is unlikely that business discussions would be considered safe.
Debbie Laity exactly, why not take a fairly cheap precaution if many people will be coming through the home.
Kathy Streib that is a very good idea. Many buyers don't care what is overheard, but serious buyers and professionals working in a home have a vested interest in discretion.
Absolutely agree Roy Kelley. One of those things that is easy to overlook or forget for buyers, but no excuse for professionals to not be aware!
Gita Bantwal exactly. I'm very happy to hear that most people are in agreement or had already considered this.
Kathy Streib thank you so much!
Jeff Dowler agreed on all points. And unfortunately, since the law is vague, most of us in CA would likely benefit from a court case to establish a more definitive policy. I don't like hoping for a case, I would prefer our legislators write clear law. But as that rarely happens...
Jason Potrzeba exactly. Many buyers are already tipping their hand when they become visibly excited by the property. No need to give the seller any more ammunition in their negotiations.
Oh wow John Ferrin, that isn't a story I've heard yet. Well, at least you know some of these people are on top of their end of things!
Gary L. Waters, Broker Owner, Waters Realty of Brevard, LLC really good point there. At the end of the day does it matter if it is an invasion of privacy? Indignation won't change the practice, we just have to assume the cameras are rolling.
Anna Banana Kruchten it's true, if you don't do anything wrong you have nothing to worry about! Hopefully none of your clients ever get you in any hot water via association!
Pat Braithwaite not every day I get to hear a story like that! Did your client end up putting an offer in there?
Barbara S. Duncan were you representing the buyer?
Lou Ludwig I'm not sure on the audio recording laws where you live. In California the owner is probably going to get away with it.
Thank you Lou Ludwig!
Anthony Vosilla your point on cameras protecting you is not one I had thought to write about or heard from a commenter yet! That is a very positive attitude, which makes sense since you seem to do your job well.
Kathleen Daniels exactly, unless one is in a bathroom or dressing room there is no reasonable expectation of privacy
Sarah, John Rummage agreed, no point taking risks. Also, how do you like working in Nashville? I went to college at Vanderbilt and have a great deal of love for that city.
Barb Kelley exactly, it is here to stay. Does not matter if an agent doesn't like it, someone else would be happy to have that listing.
Cara Marcelle Mancuso thank you! And I would definitely recommend cautioning your buyers to make sure you have the best footing for negotiations.
Maureen Bray Portland OR Home Stager ~ Room Solutions Staging I can imagine it would be easy to accidentally offend someone during the staging process!
Mike McCann - Nebraska Farm Land Broker I like how you chose the words "someone else's domain". To me, that is enough justification for the cameras, particuarly in business. If I was at a friend's house for social purposes and found out I had been recorded I might feel a bit odd about it, but if I'm working for someone it is up to them how they want to handle their business.
Sam Shueh so would you request that cameras be turned off?
Mayra Espinosa - Realtor thank you for your kind words! I agree, cameras are just a reality of doing business now, and it is reasonable when strangers are coming into someone's home. There are too many tales of misconduct to fault a seller for taking precautions.
Kimo Jarrett I agree. If an agent is chosen to list a property it is because they are trusted to protect their client's interests. I think that agent should be aware of the negotiating tools on the table.
Thank you Debra Leisek! And I agree. If someone has a problem with cameras, what are they up to?
Jim Joeriman surveillance in tenancy and employment situations definitely gets more complicated. I have heard of landlords having tenants sign contracts allowing video, but not audio, recording in the common spaces of a unit (kitchen, living room, etc.). No way I would sign that lease.
Beth Atalay lots of stories of people making poor decisions like that Orlando Realtor...
But safe assumptions to make. If you can predict a problem, cut it off.
Terry McCarley exactly, no need to complicate negotiations
Michael J. Perry I'm sure brokers just love dealing with agents who complain about cameras (or worse) 
Wayne and Jean Marie Zuhl an unfortunate lesson to have to learn the hard way. Cameras have unconvered some despicable behavior in the past, hopefully the cameras help prevent that.
Mike Bjork exactly. When medication and valuable go missing, people want answers.
Sharon Tara exactly, it's possible so we should assume it is happening. Some buyers don't really care, all the power to them. But agents should at least give a warning.
I appreciate your support as well Roy Kelley. August has been great so far, I hope you can say the same!
Monte Wall that is a great policy. I have been very pleased to see that most everyone who has stopped by to comment advises there clients (or will be shortly) about the potential to be seen or heard.
Evelyn Johnston exactly, uncomfortable but reasonable. Notes are a simple way to work around!
Debbie Reynolds that definitely sounds unnerving. I understand watching, but you would think they would trust you to give the pertinent details of the showing in a timely manner.
Praful Thakkar I think that choice is typically up to the seller. But if the buyers or their agent ask? Tough spot there. Perhaps a prepared answer that neither confirms nor denies should be used at all listings in general.
Mary Ann Daniell Licensed Texas Realtor that is the best policy, glad to see you've been thinking about this for years!
Gene Mundt, IL/WI Mortgage Originator - FHA/VA/Conv/Jumbo/Portfolio/Refi good point about how much easier the systems are now. Many no longer require a phone line and are much cheaper than they were even five or ten years ago.
Seems like most agree with you Sharon Parisi, which is great!
Mary Stewart great points. When people get separated they might be less likely to remember the cameras.
Margaret Rome, Baltimore Maryland exactly. When the technology exists and is fairly commonly used, it is irresponsible to assume it won't happen to you or your clients. I'm happy to see most everyone here has agreed so far!
Hannah Williams I think it can definitely feel that way! I think it is a great reason for sellers and their agents to communicate openly
Dick Greenberg that is a great plan. Can't be too careful.
Pat Starnes I'm glad you got here somehow! I think you have the right attitude about it. Agents need to be careful, but the vst majority also don't really have anything to worry about.
Thanks Michael Dagner , it's important and an easy mindset to get into.
Jim Smith I completely agree, there is no cause for surprise. No reason to assumethat people won't pursue surveillance on their property for any number of reasons.
Good to hear that some people take the cameras lightly and don't take too much offense for being recorded! Thank you for the info on the D.C. area as well.