Showings Under Surveillance: Smart Cameras Reshape Real Estate Deals

A surge of smart cameras and audio devices are used during home showings, with about 72% of buyers reporting awareness or suspicion and 56% of sellers admitting active recording. While many justify it as protection, some listeners use the footage to gauge interest or probe buyer comments, raising privacy and legal concerns as laws on consent vary by state. MLS listings and broker policies are increasingly calling for disclosures or agreements not to listen in, but enforcement is uneven. The recordings can chill buyer discussions and even derail negotiations, with buyers often omitting budget or offer strategy details and some even leaving shows due to the sense of being watched.