What Has Happened to Privacy in Real Estate?

Gone are the days of privacy and disgression.  I am shocked (still) when I am out in public or at a function and some one I know is aware of a particular situation regarding a distressed homeowner or piece of property,  and they expect me to join in and give them juicy details!  I usually play stupid and say I was unaware of that particular situation and tell them they have access to the same information I do.  Even when I short sale a property I am very careful and make sure I do not violate agency laws to disclose information that is not relevant or necessary.

It is sad that so much inforamtion is readily available about each one of us.  it is something I try not to hink about, but it is out there for all to see.

Hi Roberta, we think it is just a fact of the modern era where "everything" is available on the internet.

I just got a birthday card from a Quick Car repair store I have never visited.  Too much information. I don't lie about my age, but do I need cards with discounts from total strangers?  Sad state of affairs.

Sadly, public records are just that. And now with the internet, they are at everyone's fingertips. No, there is no privacy when it comes to documents that are required to be filed and recorded.

I don't discuss finances even with my friends. Nor do I discuss personal issues - like religion or a visit to a doctor. And... I don't want to know those things about other people.

I recently received an email that had a list of the things that will disappear in my lifetime. One of those things was "Privacy". Sadly, I think it is true...with all of our records being on a computer somewhere, someone has access to everthing about you with the click of a mouse.

Hi Roberta in California anybody could find out if a home is in foreclosure by going to the County Recorders Office and looking it up....but the average person won't do that because it's too time consuming and difficult.

However I don't agree with Zillow and Trulia making it so easy for anyone to research the status of your property.  That's not a good thing.

I LOVE THE SELLER WHO SAY THEY DON'T WANT A SIGN...THEY DON'T WANT THE NEIGHBORS TO KNOW THEY ARE SELLING....WHAT DO THE SELLERS THINK THE NEIGHBORS ARE WONDERING WHEN THEY SEE A CAR WITH PEOPLE COME TO THE DOOR AND LET THENSELVES IN, THEN WALK ALL AROUND THE OUTSIDE AND LOOK AT EVERY ASPECT OF THE HOME, THEN MAYBE COME BACK AGAIN THE NEXT DAY FOR ANOTHER SHOWING....THEN SEE ANOTHER GROUP AND ANOTHER GROUP AND ANOTHER GROUP ALL DO THE SAME THING????....HEY MARTHA, THE NEIGHBORS MUST BE GETTING PAINTING AND ROOFING BIDS, LOTS OF PEOPLE COMING TO DO THE BID TOO....YEAH RIGHT!!!....AIN'T NO SUCH THING AS PRIVACY IN REAL ESTATE  FOR VERY LONG...THAT IS.

Privacy is a thing of the past - good or bad - technology has changed that forever!

Roberta, great post and we can understand your point. It is incredibly hard now to stay a private person.  Gary is right though, privacy is a thing of the past. 

I do think that a sign helps sell a house. I can totally see why someone selling their home would not want one in certain circumstances, though.

Roberta,  it is becoming more impossible to maintain a low profile every day.  Everyone has a computer with them and it seems they are always checking someone out!  It is easy to find information about anybody. I find all of the websites far too invasive.

There is no privacy in today's world.  It takes some getting used to.  The world has changed and the big brother of 1984 book fame is really FaceBook, Google and other large companies that we willingly put all our informtation into.

Roberta---

Before the internet, privacy was real---now it's just not possible. Even if you are not a Realtor, or selling your home----if you do any shopping or banking online, or have any online presence---you can forget about your privacy. My grocer even knows what I have for dinner I am sure. And medical records, financial info---then add Facebook & the entire world knows me. I don't have anything to hide, but I agree with you---privacy is a thing of the past & we just have to get used to it. One upside is that there is SO much info out there, no one can spend the time sifting/researching etc. and who knows how much of it is really true?

Roberta:

You are right, there is very little privacy in a real estate transaction now.  One can still elect to have no sign, but the internet will tell all anyway.

There is not much secrecy now days. If they think they can make a buck, any information is circulated.

Roberta - Trulia and Zillow are completely out of line with what they are doing to people.  Pre-foreclosures are listed on their sites.  What the hell is a pre-foreclosure?  I know I would plenty PO'd if I saw my house listed like that.  Something needs to be done about that, and the sooner the better.

I enjoyed your blog and agree with it, to your points. I do see your privacy point, and although it was less accessible back in the day, all the issues you mention have always been public knowledge. I think it's just easier to find out what was always avaialble for the person who put out the effort. Regarding the sign, my buyer has often been the friend or family member of a neighbor to the subject property, so I see neighboehood "gossip" as free marketing :)