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Paul S. Henderson, REALTOR®, CRS, South Puget Sound Washington Agent/Broker! (Fathom Realty Washington LLC)

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Rainmaker
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Ron and Alexandra Seigel
Napa Consultants - Carpinteria, CA
Luxury Real Estate Branding, Marketing & Strategy

Paul,

What a great question.  I would have been inclined to say yes, but then in thinking it through, I think permission is needed.  This would especially apply to high end homes that are often full of valuables.  I would not be adverse to helping someone measure a room, or creating a floor plan for their furnishings.

Thanks for making me think on this one.  A

Mar 26, 2015 03:39 AM
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Kathleen Daniels, Probate & Trust Specialist
KD Realty - 408.972.1822 - San Jose, CA
Probate Real Estate Services

Our listing agreement will specify if the taking of photos is allowed. If not, then the agent must make note of it in the MLS.

Mar 26, 2015 10:48 AM
Rainmaker
38,609
Holleay Parcker - Spinnaker Realty - Serving Clients From Corolla to Hatteras
SPINNAKER REALTY LLC - Kitty Hawk, NC
With 14 Yrs Experience in Outer Banks Real Estate

Most of the homes in my market are weekly rental properties that are being sold fully furnished. The buyers frequently take pictures of the furnishings (or videos) so that when we go back through the house for a final walk-through, they can make sure that all the furnishings are still there.

Many years ago, because my buyer had video-ed the TV and sound system in the living room, she could see that the TV had been replaced.  I called the listing agent and informed them that the TV had been replaced, and that we would not be closing until the TV was returned.  Magically, it appeared within the hour and we proceeded to close the transaction.  

Mar 26, 2015 08:08 AM
Rainmaker
4,800,082
Gabe Sanders
Real Estate of Florida specializing in Martin County Residential Homes, Condos and Land Sales - Stuart, FL
Stuart Florida Real Estate

No pictures without permission from the owners.  Definitely some privacy issues here.

Mar 26, 2015 06:41 AM
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John Meussner
Mortgages in AZ, CA, CO, DE, FL, GA, IN, MD, MN, MT, NC, NJ, NV, OK, OR, PA, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VA, WI - Fair Oaks, CA
#MortgageMadeEasy Fair Oaks, CA 484-680-4852

I don't think it's ok to take photos without permission. 

Mar 26, 2015 06:09 AM
Rainmaker
911,228
Jeff Pearl
RE/MAX Distinctive / LIC in VA - Lovettsville, VA
Full Service Full Time Realtor

No. I have heard stories about furious sellers after they found out buyers photographed and filmed inside of their home, including their kids bedrooms. It's friggin amazing how many agents think it is ok. Usually there are already numerous pics in the mls.

Mar 26, 2015 05:21 AM
Rainmaker
4,571,967
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

Hi Paul --- I will also say this is an interesting question.   Our California residential listing  agreement has a clause that a seller can opt out of that states(paraphrasing) that the seller agrees(or not) that the listing broker and prospective buyers/selling agents can take photos, videos or other images.

So unless, I have been instructed otherwise by the seller(or listing agent when I don't represent the seller) -- my opinion is that is acceptable for buyers to enter the property to be able to take photos.

That said, if the listing agent(or seller) is in attendance at a showing(or open house/broker preview) I will ask permission as a matter of courtesy.

Mar 26, 2015 04:24 AM
Rainmaker
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Spirit Messingham
Tierra Antigua Realty - Tucson, AZ
Third Generation Full-Time Realtor® 520 471-6900

I do ask for permission.  I work with many out of state buyers, even some out of country.  Many times we view homes while they are visiting Tucson, AZ and if we dont find one we like, set them up on a portal.   Some buyers choose to make an offer site unseen, for them I offer to take photos, videos, etc.  I do ask the listing agent first, to get permission.  Granted, I dont do this for all buyers as some simply are not comfortable buying sight unseen.

Mar 26, 2015 03:29 AM
Rainer
354,909
Ben DeHaven
Haven Realty & Investments - Lakeland, FL
Proudly serving Winter Haven & Lakeland, Florida

I don't know why a seller wouldn't want a serious buyer taking pictures or measurments.

Now if they were trying to take pictures of security equipment or how to remove the TV from the wall, etc I think you have a different set of problems. 

Mar 26, 2015 03:27 AM
Rainmaker
443,220
Cindy Davis
SD Home Source Realty - San Diego, CA

Interesting question. I've had a few buyers along the way who have taken pictures...they were genuine buyers. I didn't think twice about it...maybe I should...I do know that when buyers see many homes at one time, it's easy to forget themm so pictures can be helpful in jogging memories.

Mar 26, 2015 03:11 AM
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Bob Crane
Woodland Management Service / Woodland Real Estate, KW Diversified - Stevens Point, WI
Forestland Experts! 715-204-9671

Depends on whether it is occupied.

Jan 10, 2020 10:50 PM
Rainmaker
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Larry Johnston
Broker, Friends & Neighbors Real Estate and Elkhart County Subdivisions, LLC - Elkhart, IN
Broker,Friends & Neighbors Real Estate, Elkhart,IN

You have a valid point.  If the home was vacant, they could take all the photos they want, but if it was occupied, you never know what those pictures could be used for.

Mar 26, 2015 02:21 PM
Rainmaker
3,986,258
William Feela
WHISPERING PINES REALTY - North Branch, MN
Realtor, Whispering Pines Realty 651-674-5999 No.

NO...I give them a copy of all the photo's on the MLS.  Anyting more they need permission.

Mar 26, 2015 10:14 AM
Rainmaker
1,725,996
Sandy Padula & Norm Padula, JD, GRI
HomeSmart Realty West & Florida Realty Investments - , CA
Presence, Persistence & Perseverance

Paul Henderson Absolutely not without the permission of the sellers through their respective agent.

Mar 26, 2015 09:59 AM
Rainer
273,237
Richard Robibero, e-Pro, ABR, SRS
Panorama R.E. Limited - Toronto, ON
Selling Your Home as if it were My Own!

You're supposed to get permission in our area. Now, some higher-ups within the board have told us if the Buyer is taking a picture to review later that night in deciding what house to purchase it's ok but it's not ok to post on social media and I remind them of such.

It's all about common sense.

Mar 26, 2015 09:00 AM
Rainmaker
4,333,708
Lawrence "Larry" & Sheila Agranoff. Cell: 631-805-4400
The Top Team @ Charles Rutenberg Realty 255 Executive Dr, Plainview NY 11803 - Plainview, NY
Long Island Condo and Home Specialists

I do ask the homeowners and they have always agreed...

Mar 26, 2015 08:49 AM
Rainmaker
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Michele Connors
The Overton Group, LLC Pitt & Carteret County - Greenville, NC
Your Eastern North Carolina Realtor

no 

Mar 26, 2015 03:00 AM
Rainmaker
921,504
Annette Lawrence , Palm Harbor, FL 727-420-4041
ReMax Realtec Group - Palm Harbor, FL
Making FLORIDA Real Estate EZ

If the home is shown on Zillow the seller has ALREADY forfeited all rights to the imagery of the home. If the home appears on Google maps, the intent of the owner becomes even more clear.

If however the listing agent is PROTECTING their client and takes measures to avoid the perils and hazards created by Zillow, permission will be needed.

Should the seller fall victim to the peril and hazard created, and such peril and hazard not disclosed, the listing agent, their broker, and franchise should be held financially and criminally accountable.

And if the new owner becomes a victim related to the information found on Zillow, the buyers agent, buyer broker, buyer broker franchise, listing agent, listing agent broker and listing agent brokers franchise should all be held financially and criminally accountable for not disclosing such peril and hazard exists for the new owner.

Mar 26, 2015 02:57 AM