Home Showing Etiquette: Why Maryland Buyers Should Assume They May Be Heard
Touring a home should give buyers a chance to look closely, ask questions, and decide whether the property feels like the right fit. However, today’s home showings come with an added consideration that buyers may not immediately think about: cameras, smart doorbells, and other recording devices.
As a Harford County Realtor, I see these devices in homes regularly. I would estimate that at least half of the homes I show have some type of camera, Ring doorbell, or visible monitoring system. Most buyers are not surprised when I mention it, but they often do not think about it until I point out the camera.
My advice is simple: when walking through a home, assume the seller may be able to hear your conversation. Do not say anything you would not say if the seller were standing right beside you.
Recording Devices Are Common During Home Showings
A recent LendingTree survey reported by Realtor.com found that at least 56% of sellers surveyed had recording devices active during a home walkthrough. At least 19% said they used those devices to learn what potential buyers liked or disliked about the home.
Those numbers reinforce something I have observed for years. Smart cameras and doorbells are now part of everyday homeownership. Many homeowners use them for ordinary security purposes, and they may remain active when the home is listed for sale.
As a buyer, you do not need to assume anyone is deliberately trying to listen to you. You should simply recognize that a microphone or camera may be operating and adjust your conversation accordingly.
What I Tell My Buyers During a Showing
When I know my buyers are interested in a home and they begin discussing a possible offer, I will usually point toward the camera and guide the conversation outside. Depending on the property, we may step into the yard, walk farther down the driveway, or wait until we are back in the car.
This happens fairly often.
Buyers naturally want to talk through what they are seeing. They may want to discuss the kitchen, the condition of the roof, possible repairs, or whether the layout works for them. General observations are usually fine.
The conversation becomes more sensitive when it turns to an offer.
I do not want my buyers announcing that they will do whatever it takes to get the home. I also do not want them discussing how much more they would be willing to pay, how flexible their budget is, or what concessions they may be willing to make.
Those comments could weaken their negotiating position before an offer is even submitted.
Save Offer Discussions for a Private Location
Anything involving an offer should be discussed privately. That includes:
- The price you are considering
- Your maximum budget
- How much you are willing to pay above the asking price
- Your preferred settlement date
- Financing details
- Inspection terms
- Appraisal concerns
- Possible contingencies
- How strongly you feel about the home
- Whether you are under pressure to move quickly
The easiest rule is this: if you would not want the seller to hear it, wait until you are somewhere private.
Do not assume that stepping onto the front porch ends the concern. Smart doorbells may record audio near the entrance, so conversations while arriving or leaving should also remain general.
Realtor.com reported that smart doorbells can capture conversations from a considerable distance and that buyers are frequently advised to wait until they return to the car before discussing their reactions or strategy.
You Do Not Have to Hide Every Opinion
I do not believe buyers need to walk silently through every home.
It is reasonable to discuss whether a room feels small, whether the layout works, or whether an update would be needed. Those conversations help buyers evaluate the property.
However, I recommend being thoughtful about both positive and negative comments.
Saying that you like the kitchen or appreciate the backyard is different from announcing that this is your dream home and you will pay any amount to get it.
The same principle applies to criticism. Buyers should feel free to identify concerns, but harshly insulting the home or the seller’s choices is unnecessary. Sellers can be emotionally attached to their homes, and an offensive comment could create tension if the buyer later submits an offer.
You can be honest without being disrespectful.
Cameras Can Change the Showing Experience
I have toured homes where cameras visibly followed our movement through the room. That can make buyers uncomfortable and distract them from evaluating the property.
Most buyers understand that security cameras are common, but seeing a camera move as they walk through a room can still feel unsettling. Some buyers become quieter, rush through the showing, or feel as though they cannot react naturally.
The Realtor.com article found that 19% of homebuyers surveyed had left a showing or open house because they felt watched.
Even when a camera feels intrusive, I encourage buyers to remain focused on the home. Take the time needed to look at the rooms, examine the condition, and consider whether the property meets your needs. We can have the detailed conversation afterward.
A Note About Maryland Recording Laws
Maryland law generally prohibits the willful interception of a private oral communication unless all parties have given prior consent, subject to limited exceptions. The law defines an oral communication as words spoken during a private conversation.
The legal details can depend on the circumstances, including whether there was a reasonable expectation of privacy and whether audio was being captured. Buyers should not rely on the law as their only protection during a showing.
The more practical approach is to control what you say.
My Best Advice for Maryland Homebuyers
As you walk through a home, assume the seller may be listening to the conversation.
Do not discuss anything you would be uncomfortable saying directly in front of the seller. Save conversations about price, motivation, finances, and offer strategy until you are in a private location.
You can still examine the home carefully, ask relevant questions, and share general impressions. Just remember that a showing is also part of a possible future negotiation.
A little discretion during the tour can help protect your position if you decide that the home is the one you want to pursue.
As a Harford County Realtor, part of my job is helping buyers recognize details like this before they become a problem. Finding the right home is important, but knowing how to approach the showing and negotiation process matters too.
Source: Realtor.com, “How Sellers Are Using Smart Cameras To Eavesdrop on Homebuyers,” published July 31, 2026.