Smart-Home Tech and Buyer Surveillance in Real Estate

Smart-home technology is becoming more prevalent, with some home sellers using cameras and recording devices to monitor potential buyers during property tours. This provides sellers access to private conversations and reactions that buyers may assume are private.

A LendingTree survey conducted in June 2026 with 2,000 consumers found that 56% of home sellers used hidden cameras during home viewings. On the other hand, 72% of buyers believed they were watched during a tour. These statistics reveal growing tension in real estate: sellers protect properties and gather information while buyers fear recorded discussions about homes.

“Modern smart doorbells capture crystal-clear audio 50 feet away from the front door,” says Greg Field, a Solar Home Realtor® with HomeSmart Realty Pros in Tempe, AZ, according to realtor.com.

Newsweek contacted the National Association of Realtors for comment via email on the issue.

Why Are Sellers Using Surveillance?

The leading reason cited by sellers for using cameras is protection, with 61% wanting to monitor potential buyers. Other reasons include learning what buyers like or dislike about the property, as 19% aim to gain insight into visitors’ reactions. Additionally, at least 18% use cameras to gain an advantage in buyer interest or listen to what agents say, with 6% citing this reason.

“Homebuyers today should assume they are being recorded when looking at homes and plan accordingly,” says Cara Ameer, a Coldwell Banker agent licensed in California and Florida, reported by realtor.com.

LendingTree’s Matt Schulz advises buyers to assume they’re on camera once they enter a property. To avoid unwanted recordings, he recommends having private conversations only after exiting the property.

Buyer Reactions to Surveillance

For buyers, the prospect of being watched changes their approach. Real estate agents advise clients to be cautious about speaking inside a property due to unknown cameras or recording devices. Buyers may postpone discussions on preferences or offers until they are outside. Due to feeling surveilled, 19% of buyers reported leaving a showing, and 18% decided not to make an offer.

Survey data shows 64% of recent buyers are worried about sellers watching, listening to, or recording them. More than 1 in 5 recent buyers withheld budget or offer strategies due to recording concerns, and some hid excitement or avoided mentioning dislikes.

Furthermore, 34% of Americans are less likely to submit an offer if they know recording equipment was present during a showing.

Legal Aspects of Recording

Sellers’ recording of buyers can have legal consequences. Legality depends on property location and what is recorded. While video recording inside a home is common, audio poses complex legal issues. Without knowledge of being recorded, buyers or agents have not consented, creating ethical and potential wiretapping concerns.

Real estate professionals suggest that sellers disclose any surveillance devices. Buyers should assume conversations inside homes could be overheard.

In a digitally connected housing market, open houses could become a venue for sellers to inspect buyers as much as buyers inspect available properties. Therefore, delaying discussions on price, strategies, or impressions until outside might be wisest.