More Sellers Record Showings—Some Buyers Walk Away

Home surveillance is rapidly reshaping real estate, with 56% of recent sellers keeping recording devices active during listings and 62% of consumers stating they would do the same per a study by LendingTree. Buyer be aware. Consequently, 72% of recent buyers report seeing or suspecting cameras and microphones during tours, with 64% actively worrying they are being watched or recorded. This widespread monitoring is drastically altering buyer behavior—22% of buyers avoid discussing their budget or offer strategy in the home, 22% hide their excitement, and 21% refrain from mentioning features they dislike. However, seller surveillance frequently backfires, as 19% of buyers have walked out of a showing due to cameras, 18% skipped making an offer entirely, and 34% report being less likely to submit an offer when recording equipment is present. As LendingTree’s Chief Consumer Finance Analyst Matt Schulz notes, home showings are like poker games, but constant recording forces buyers to hold back, creating an overly guarded environment that ultimately hurts both buyers and sellers. --- JL