Consider how cameras can impact you as a buyer!
So Why should a buyer care about this?
Well – to be honest, sometimes they don’t matter at all.
You might actually just get lucky with everyone you work with, and everything turns out for you perfectly with no stress.
So although this is not a huge deal, you want to be aware of how cameras, either visible to you or hidden, might work against you as a buyer.
Home security systems often have cameras installed. Although these are typically set up by an owner to protect their home from burglaries, once they are there, they can capture and record pictures and possibly also sound.
These might be set up on the interior or exterior, or both.
Why does this matter?
When you look at a house, it is easy to make verbal comments as you proceed.
These may indicate happy excitement or critical dislike on your part.
But think about this:
Suppose you see a house and already know that you are prepared to make changes, such as painting or removing carpets,
or extensive remodeling.
Assume further that you make lots of comments about how ugly something looks now, but how you think certain changes would make it great.
After you are gone, the owner may have recordings of what you said.
What if they take offense to your comments?
Yes, of course we know they are leaving anyway, so why do they care?
Well it may not be logical, but sometimes they DO care, and care very much about how a future buyer of their property will take care of it.
If they do not happen to approve of the changes you have in mind, when your offer comes in, they may not want to accept.
In a situation where there are multiple offers, they owner may be biased toward the buyer who loves the house as it is over one who wants many changes – even if that offer is higher!
So the best way to proceed in general is to be careful of what you say when you are at a house you might consider buying.
In summary:
Cameras and/or recordings of your tour of a property are always a possibility if not typically the norm.
A good practice is to keep your comments neutral and to a minimum to avoid any possibility that
they might adversely affect your bid on the house, should you make one.
Whatever you say that is captured or heard might be used to somehow impact your negotiating power.
Questions?
If you are not sure about any of these points and want more information – let us know and we’d love to clarify things!
Contact us – we would love to help you understand more!