Question: My buyer client is very excited to be looking at potential homes to purchase. Is it okay if the buyer takes their own video or photographs of the homes they are viewing?

Answer: The best practice for this scenario is for your buyer to obtain consent from the seller before they proceed with taking videos or photographs. Keep in mind that exterior photos might be treated differently than interior ones. As the buyer’s agent, you should check with the listing agent if it is acceptable for the buyer to video or photograph the interior spaces of the home. This is best done prior to the showing, so that you are not caught off guard when your buyer pulls their phone out and begins documenting the interior of the home.

As a listing agent, it would be wise to have a discussion with your seller clients about whether they are comfortable with potential buyers taking photos or videos of their home, and whether they are comfortable with interior photos or video recording. Some sellers might be agreeable to this because they may believe this will help market and sell the home. However, other sellers may believe that this is an invasion of their privacy.

These sellers may have personal items in the home or might be valuable and potential targets for criminals. If the seller does not want photos or videos of their home taken by buyers, the listing agent should instruct any parties that are viewing the home that the sellers do not permit interior images of their home. It may be helpful to post a sign near the front entry of the property or another conspicuous location that states no interior photographs or video may be taken.

Even if permitted, buyers should not publicly post the content, using it only for their own purposes.