5,772,575
Jeff,
Doesn't California law insist that you disclose that you are videotaping, otherwise it is illegal to do so. A few years back there was a case where someone had secretely videotaped his household, and he landed in jail for doing so.
If they disclose, I am OK with it. The market videotapes the comings and goings, and one of our markets has cameras in the parking lot also. A
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Jason Potrzeba
Warwick, RI
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Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
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Jeff Dowler, CRS
Carlsbad, CA
1,153,794
About 3/4 of the homes I show have video surveillance, which I promote. The audio is where I take the conversations outside when discussing potential offers. There are very few places where you can be assured of anonymity these days.
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Eric Valente
Calabasas, CA
1,622,432
No, it would not change my behavior. These days, most of the houses have some kind of cameras inside or/and outside. Yet, I might suggest my clients not to be very judgmental.....you know what I mean.
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Eric Valente
Calabasas, CA
786,080
Jeff, standard protocol is to presume you are being recorded. Better to be overprotective of your clients than not, and so, I tell them to presume cameras are on.
I just watched Citizen Four this evening, and so I'm even more paranoid than the average realtor now.
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Jeff Dowler, CRS
Carlsbad, CA
666,539
Between pin hole, nanny cam, lipstick, and just plain old hidden cameras (which are all available to the general public) it just makes sense to assume that you are being monitored in my opinion.
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Claude Labbe
Washington, DC
911,228
No, but these days everyone should just assume as standard practice that they are being filmed or recorded.
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Claude Labbe
Washington, DC
5,868,472
Jeff, we are seeing more and more of this, and usually warn buyers ahead of any showings this could happen.
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Claude Labbe
Washington, DC
5,772,575
Jeff,
That is true, and I would caution clients not to say a word, just to go through the house, and then discuss questions with you outside..Here is another thought, if the listing agent knows that is happening, should that agent disclose it? I think it might be a good idea to ask an attorney! A
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Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
927,795
Chief Cook who is a realtor knows that there could be cameras and audio recording equipment at any listing. She advises the clients to not comment on much of anything during a showing until after they are back at the curb....and she had done this for over ten years, Jeff.
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Claude Labbe
Washington, DC
4,434,127
I have read that sellers record showings so it is always good not to discuss strategy and price in the house just in case they have hidden cameras.
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Claude Labbe
Washington, DC
5,048,883
Ron & Alexandra Seigel
Yes I believe that is correct (from a non-attorney perspective) but that does not stop someone from doing it. I am pretty sure the one camer I sw was not recording as I saw the video display on the computer, but the other one? Not sure, there was a light on.
Jeff
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Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
6,393,154
279,878
23,743
Sometimes you see cameras, but in many cases you don't. Hidden cameras are becoming more in more popular. They are connected to cell app and the owner has an access to them anytime anywhere.
5,048,883
I suspect that recording, or at least monitoring, is going on more and more all the time and is not obvious. As everyone points out, it pays to be cautious and not do or say something that can jeopardize our buyer clients' ability to negotiate
Jeff
3,986,258
I tell my clients before wwe go in that we may be taped so we should keep all comments to ourselves, unless I tell them otherwise.
4,800,082
I haven't noticed one yet, Jeff. But when I do, I may just have some fun with it.
246,371
During negotiations I suspect that the homeowner could have an unfair advantage if they have already seen on camera how much a potential buyer loved their home. This could put the homeowner in a position to hold their line and dig in a little more on any reductions in price...
921,504
Increasingly so.
Unfortunately, it is justified because agents are not managing their buyers properly and letting them disperse through the house. Then the drawers get opened.
At stop number 1 I advise buyers there very likely is monitoring equipment active in the house. I further advise they say NOTHING until we have return to the Pilot and the doors closed.
Actually, is this not the same advise you give when showing condos? There are eyes and ears monitoring everything you do. Do talk in the condo, the hallway, the elevator or the parking lot.
REAL STORY: Entered property and at door owner place a sign and dish requesting agent business card. Dropped mine in, perhaps I'll win the drawing.
Authentic house with the old crank out casement windows. To determine if windows would be water tight in a 70 MPH tropical storm, with my finger I push the window panel to check and worn mechanics. Owner called SCREAMING...."You touched my windows!!!"
I sure did.
5,104,931
Oh yes, indeed. And these days I just presume there are cameras in the home right from the start so I warm my clients not to say too much inside the home and that we can do a "post mortem" in the car after we leave.
634,482
I've noticed monitors but it doesn't change how I show the house or the comments I make.
4,319,419
Jeff Dowler CRS - only once! The sellers had already relocated out-of-state so it was justified, I guess.
And good news is, my buyers did buy that home.
2,443,250
Yes I have and yes it will make you stop and think. I now warn my Clients to never give their opinions within the home.
2,224,473
I haven't noticed this, but I was told by an agent on a bank owned home that I was filmed. That was after the showing. There weren't any problems with my buyers, but she just informed me of that afterwards.
1,683,912
Yes we were with some clients in a home and noticed some recording equipment atop the refrigerator on a shelf. They were in the midst of ridiculing the owners taste in decorations. After pointing it out to them, things suddenly got real quiet.
666,539
Jeff - It is the ones that I can't see that worry me the most. I generally will caution my clients from making any statements that may offend/tip off the seller to their interest in the property. Since my son was born in 2008, I learned you a high end baby monitor back then could broadcast a signal 6-10 houses away in any direction, so imagine what a good system today can do. Better to take notes inside and take in my car on the way to the next listing.
4,572,117
Hi Jeff -- I'm not sure if Alexandra Ron & Alexandra Seigel is correct but that was my thought as well when I read your question. Regardless, it's best to keep comments to ourselves until we are in the car where I will record our conversation(just kidding...or not)....shades of George Orwell, right?
3,988,007
Yes I have but I always caution my buyers to not talk about specifics in a house because there could be nanny cams or recording devices that we can't see.
443,220
I have never noticed this, but will be more aware now! Wow, yet another think to watch out for!