Big Owner is Watching You....

Hello, Marnie, Thanks for Sharing your experience. As for me, I would feel uncomfortable too. 

It is prudent and beneficial in many ways to employ audio and video surveillance to both the interior and exterior of any property.

Before previewing any property with either buyers or investors, I'll instruct my clients to not openly discuss any aspect, issues or concerns about the property until we are at the curbside. I also provide a check off worksheet and instruct them to take notes and also refrain from acting excited about the property. 

My buyers have mixed reactions about the video cameras and quite frankly they usually don’t stay very long. 

I was teaching a real estate pre-license class, and one of the student's phones went off alerting her that someone was at her door, and it offered a great opportunity to talk about this development as she watched who was there.  As Amazon and other companies expand and encourage services like this, I always expecct that I am being watched from the time I get to the door.

Great post on how technology is "watching our every move" and "what we (buyer/agent) say can and will be used against us"!

While cameras are in many public places, it does feel awkward when being filmed during a showing. It does inhibit the buyer/agent from expressing while at the location which can lead to reluctance on even touring those homes!

Our multiple listing service has an automatic notice on all listings warning agents and buyersthe home could be under surveillance.  

Marnie, I'd say 50% of the listings I show have a security camera recording. I've gotten used to it and don't find buyers mind too much either because a lot of them have cameras too. That said, some don't want to tour a home if they're being recorded and pass altogether. In today's' world I just always assume I'm being recorded.

Just like having the home owners following you around the house. I know it's 2018 and we are smothered in technology, with that being said, turn off the camera and let the potential buyers tour the home in comfort. 

Wherever you go...you are a risk of being filmed by a myriad of sources some known or unknown. This awareness is just getting started and is long overdue

It's good that they notified you but it definetly makes showing a home more difficult. Great to think about when listing a home. 

Thank goodness you were warned in advance, but it does make you wonder how many showings are being filmed that you are not aware of.  Kind of creepy!

At a showing a few days ago, my buyers noticed several cameras outside. I'm sorry, but I just cannot behave when I know we're being watched. I ran right over to the camera on the front of the house, looked right at it, planted a huge smile on my face and waved. Then went around to find the next one and did a little silly dance step and waved. Give 'em something to watch.

From my experience I conclude that homes that have active surveillance during a showing will take longer to sell. Buyers need to have the freedom to discuss things as they see them. It is the same reason we ask sellers to vacate during a showing.

I think the video recording is even more intimidating to the buyer.

On the plus side, thankfully they let you know prior to the tour! 

If you have a cell phone in your hand someone know where you are at all times. We just don't like to feel we are being watched... but the eyes are everywhere.

At least, they gave you advance notice... with the advances in technology nowadays, the recording devices can be very inconspicuous...

That gives us a good reminder to keep disparaging comments to a minimum while on a home showing.... You never know... Aloha!

Marnie Matarese 

Really unpleasant for everyone --- I agree with you ---
Buyers like to be expansive in their conversations and opinions when looking at a home.  All the best - Lynn

PS  I read what Kat Palmiotti #39 and Fred Griffin #12 said after I wrote my comment above. NOW --- I may just bring POST-IT notes in case we encounter cameras!!! Lynn

Thank you for writing this because that's exactly how I felt in a home with a camera.  I felt this invaded my clients space and we were never at east.