Remember when buyers could walk through a home and openly say, “I love this kitchen,” or “That roof is going to cost a fortune”?

Those conversations are becoming a thing of the past. 

Today, many real estate professionals advise clients to treat every showing as if someone is listening. The safest place to discuss a home’s strengths, weaknesses, or negotiating strategy isn’t in the living room or even the driveway. It’s after you’ve left the property and are back in your agent’s car or office. 

The reason is simple: surveillance has become part of modern real estate. 

Doorbell cameras, smart speakers, indoor security cameras, and other connected devices have become common features in American homes. While many are installed for legitimate security purposes, they also create a new reality for buyers. 

One national survey found that roughly one-third of home sellers admitted using hidden cameras or recording devices during showings. 

Their reasons varied. 

Some wanted to hear what buyers liked, or didn’t like, about the property. Others said the cameras were simply there to protect their home while strangers walked through it. About one in four sellers said they wanted to observe how their own real estate agent handled showings and interacted with prospective buyers. 

Regardless of the motivation, the result is the same: buyers should assume that anything they say inside a home could influence the seller’s negotiating position. 

An offhand remark such as, “This is our favorite house,” or “We’d pay asking price,” can unintentionally weaken a buyer’s negotiating leverage. 

Likewise, announcing plans for an expensive renovation may tell the seller that certain defects won’t matter. Complaining about a home’s flaws could also reveal exactly where a buyer intends to negotiate. 

Experienced agents increasingly encourage clients to save those conversations until they’re in a private setting. 

The issue has been on the industry’s radar for years. 

The National Association of Realtors® (NAR) has advised that listing brokers should determine whether surveillance devices are present on a property. If recording devices are being used, that information should be disclosed to anyone entering the home to reduce the risk of disputes over unauthorized recordings.  

Disclosure can take several forms, including notices posted at the property or remarks included in the MLS. When audio recording is involved, state law may require the consent of visitors. 

Buyer’s agents should also inform their clients whenever they know recording devices are present. While they generally aren’t responsible for the recording itself, documenting that disclosure—such as in an email—can help avoid misunderstandings later.  

Consumers have become increasingly aware that they may be recorded. 

More than one-quarter of buyers surveyed said their real estate agent warned them before a showing that surveillance cameras might be present. 

Not everyone is comfortable with the idea. 

Forty-one percent said they would be less interested in a home if they discovered they were being secretly recorded, while more than half viewed undisclosed recording as unfair and an invasion of privacy. 

For buyers, the solution requires very little effort. 

Walk through the home. Take notes. Photograph features if permitted. Ask factual questions. 

Then wait. 

Save opinions, concerns, pricing discussions, and negotiating strategy until you’ve left the property and can speak privately with your agent. 

In today’s market, keeping your negotiating strategy confidential can be just as valuable as finding the right house. 

Smart buyers now shop with two assumptions: every home has cameras, and every comment has value. Acting accordingly can protect both your privacy and your bargaining power.

A NAR survey of state on audio and video use can be found at https://www.nar.realtor/legal/video-and-audio-surveillance-state-law-survey