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One of the first things I tell buyers before we enter a home is:
“Let’s save all comments about the house until we’re outside.”
The reason is simple.
Many homes today have some form of surveillance. It may be a Ring doorbell, an Alexa device, a security system, indoor cameras, or smart home technology that includes audio and video recording.
Sometimes the devices are obvious.
Sometimes they aren’t.
And sometimes nobody mentions them at all.
Why This Matters
It’s completely natural for buyers to react to a home as they walk through it.
You might hear comments such as:
“Wow, I love this kitchen.”
“This family room is huge.”
“What were they thinking with that wallpaper?”
“This could be the one.”
The problem is that you don’t always know who might be listening.
Even more important:
Never discuss offer strategy, price, or negotiating terms inside a home.
Comments like:
“I’d pay full price for this.”
“We can probably go higher.”
“Let’s offer $25,000 over asking.”
“We need to buy something quickly.”
are conversations best saved for later.
When buyers share too much information, they may unintentionally weaken their negotiating position.
Why Sellers Use Surveillance
Most sellers aren’t trying to spy on buyers.
In many cases, they’re simply trying to protect their property.
Common reasons include:
Security while the home is vacant
Protection against theft or vandalism
Monitoring deliveries
Existing security systems that remain active during the sale
Many homeowners have become accustomed to checking cameras from their phones throughout the day.
The technology makes it easy.
Perhaps too easy.
A Real Example
I once had a seller who monitored her Ring doorbell throughout the listing period.
She would call or text me from work to tell me:
When buyers arrived
What they said at the front door
How long they stayed
Whether they lingered in the driveway afterward
She would then try to interpret what all of it meant.
The challenge is that we don’t really know what buyers are discussing.
If buyers spend ten minutes talking at the end of the driveway, they might be discussing the house.
Or they might be discussing the next house they’re planning to see.
It’s impossible to know.
Trying to analyze every movement and conversation often creates more confusion than insight.
The Moment That Felt Like a Movie Scene
At another listing, the home had extensive security features, including a doorbell camera with two-way audio.
One afternoon, I was finishing an open house.
My back was turned to the front door while I was gathering brochures and signs.
Suddenly I heard the owner’s voice directly behind me.
At least that’s what it felt like.
The owner was actually speaking through the doorbell device from somewhere else, but for a moment it felt like someone had unexpectedly appeared over my shoulder.
It definitely got my attention.
When Surveillance Becomes Too Much
Recently, a homeowner showed me live camera feeds from multiple rooms in the house, including the living room, dining room, kitchen, and sunroom.
That raises an important question:
Just because technology allows us to monitor a showing, should we?
My view is that buyers deserve a reasonable opportunity to tour a home without feeling like every comment is being observed and analyzed.
When buyers feel watched, they become uncomfortable.
They stop talking.
They stop asking questions.
And the showing experience becomes less natural.
What I Recommend to Sellers
Before putting a home on the market, I recommend:
Removing valuables
Securing jewelry, cash, firearms, prescription medications, passports, and important documents
Using common-sense security precautions
Following local disclosure requirements regarding surveillance devices
Clearly notifying visitors when surveillance is present
Most buyers are accompanied by licensed real estate agents who undergo background checks and fingerprinting as part of the licensing process.
Even so, no one can watch every person every second, so removing valuables remains the safest approach.
What I Recommend During Showings
For buyers:
Assume cameras and microphones may be present.
Save opinions until you’re outside.
Never discuss offer strategy inside the home.
For sellers:
Protect your property.
Consider whether monitoring every showing is truly necessary.
Avoid analyzing every buyer conversation.
Think about how surveillance may affect the buyer’s experience.
A home showing should feel welcoming, not like an episode of a reality television show.
The Bottom Line
Security is important.
Privacy is important too.
The best approach is balance.
Buyers should assume they may be recorded.
Sellers should use surveillance thoughtfully and responsibly.
And everyone should remember that the most productive real estate conversations usually happen after the showing—outside, away from the cameras, and away from the front doorbell.
Questions are always welcome. I’m glad to share information and insights to help you better understand the market and the process so you can make informed real estate decisions.
