Is this acceptable for a house sale?

[mamajo]

We're CONSIDERING (haven't done so) hiding a digital recorder during showings to see what people have to say about our house. Do you think this is okay if it's only for our use and we don't know who the people are personally? I'm just so curious to know what folks think, would you do this?

 

[sonnyjane]

We're CONSIDERING (haven't done so) hiding a digital recorder during showings to see what people have to say about our house. Do you think this is okay if it's only for our use and we don't know who the people are personally? I'm just so curious to know what folks think, would you do this?

Considering it's illegal in your state... NO.

http://www.dmlp.org/legal-guide/michigan-recording-law

 

[clh2]

Do you not trust the realtor to relay that information?

I'm not a fan of the hidden recorder idea. Besides - unless you have several throughout the house, you will not hear the comments "if" they are in a close enough proximity to the recorder that it records the comments.

 

[EMode]

No way would I do that, and I wouldn't appreciate it being done to me. If you are using a realtor ask them for the feedback. If you are selling yourself, maybe put out a survey for people to fill out.

 

[ronandannette]

No way. Nobody'd better dare try to put me under secret surveillance. This is a terrible idea and you have no right - please forget it.

 

[fairestoneofall]

No.

When we sold our house, our realtor did an open house specifically for other realtors. we got a lot of great feedback through that.

 

[soccerdad72]

I'm not a fan of the hidden recorder idea. Besides - unless you have several throughout the house, you will not hear the comments "if" they are in a close enough proximity to the recorder that it records the comments.

I was thinking the same thing. Even if was legal, the logistics of trying to hide something in a spot that would capture much would be difficult at best.

 

[LJSquishy]

Aside from whether it's legal to do that or not, you shouldn't need to if you have a decent realtor.

After every showing, your realtor should be calling the buyer's agents for a follow up in which their agent will relay comments about what their client liked or disliked about your property. If your realtor isn't doing that, request that they do.

We listed our house last Friday and had two showings on Sunday. My realtor followed up with the agents Monday morning and called me to share the info with me.

With my showings, my agent told me this info: Buyer One liked the home but preferred to be more up North in town, and the agent thought it may be priced a little high for the area. Buyer Two absolutely fell in love with the house but didn't think it was in her budget at this time, and they both loved the landscaping. Both agents said the house shows extremely well and was staged perfectly.

So, this is the kind of info you're looking for. Likes, dislikes, price, etc.

 

[msjprincess]

We're CONSIDERING (haven't done so) hiding a digital recorder during showings to see what people have to say about our house. Do you think this is okay if it's only for our use and we don't know who the people are personally? I'm just so curious to know what folks think, would you do this?

Ummm no

 

[mamajo]

Well, the legal thing clinches it. I'm not going there so it won't happen. We just listed and our agent is a friend of my husbands and is only communicative with the one word texts. I just will have to insist on some feedback from her. As it was, I had to write my own listing. She did some half donkey make no sense description and I was shocked as she is the professional. We'll see if we'll keep her around for the long haul.

 

[Mariep26]

It sounds like you may need a different Realtor or see if this agent has someone that they can co-list with from their agency. Your description so far sounds like horrible customer service.

 

[julsmom]

I would switch realtors ASAP. She is making a lot if money, and needs to properly provide service. The realtor can make a big difference in the sale , and in just your experience as a whole. Moving is very stressful.

So far, I don't think she deserves the commission. You've done the work.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Well, the legal thing clinches it. I'm not going there so it won't happen. We just listed and our agent is a friend of my husbands and is only communicative with the one word texts. I just will have to insist on some feedback from her. As it was, I had to write my own listing. She did some half donkey make no sense description and I was shocked as she is the professional. We'll see if we'll keep her around for the long haul.

Yowsa! I could stand that for all of 2 seconds.

Long haul? I don't have the patience for stuff like that. She would be fired by me if necessary.

 

[Hrhpd]

We're CONSIDERING (haven't done so) hiding a digital recorder during showings to see what people have to say about our house. Do you think this is okay if it's only for our use and we don't know who the people are personally? I'm just so curious to know what folks think, would you do this?

Is this acceptable for a house sale?

Only if you want to be arrested.

That is the fun kind of stupid-real-estate tricks that can go viral and hurt a seller's chances of selling. Something I might be inclined to post if I found out I was being secretly taped.

Think about it as a seller - nobody is going to believe that you placed the bugs to just see what people said about your house. Most people are going to believe that you were illegally taping them to gain a seller's advantage. For instance, what if you caught a couple talking about what kind of offer they were going to make and discussed their max bid?

This would give you an advantage as you would know to not counteroffer until they reached their max bid.

 

[yoopermom]

You have a VERY short selling season up there (believe me, I know, since I'm only a few hours south of you), so I would change realtors ASAP, or at least rattle the cage of the one you've got. Go over her head, outline what your expectations are, and expect them to hustle, snow will be here before we know it .

Good luck!

Terri

 

[Coonhound]

Is this acceptable for a house sale?

Only if you want to be arrested.

That is the fun kind of stupid-real-estate tricks that can go viral and hurt a seller's chances of selling. Something I might be inclined to post if I found out I was being secretly taped.

Think about it as a seller - nobody is going to believe that you placed the bugs to just see what people said about your house. Most people are going to believe that you were illegally taping them to gain a seller's advantage. For instance, what if you caught a couple talking about what kind of offer they were going to make and discussed their max bid?

This would give you an advantage as you would know to not counteroffer until they reached their max bid.

Why can't you out cameras or recording devices in your own home? I get it's illegal, but I guess I don't get why. It's your house. It's not like you're going into someone else's home and secretly recording them. It's your house.

 

[kmb584]

Why can't you out cameras or recording devices in your own home? I get it's illegal, but I guess I don't get why. It's your house. It's not like you're going into someone else's home and secretly recording them. It's your house.

Because it's illegal to record a person's personal conversations without their consent.

 

[Coonhound]

Because it's illegal to record a person's personal conversations without their consent.

But don't people have nanny cams and not ell the nanny because that would defeat the purpose?? Sometimes those have sound and sometimes they don't.

 

[sonnyjane]

But don't people have nanny cams and not ell the nanny because that would defeat the purpose?? Sometimes those have sound and sometimes they don't.

I know that my friend has several nanny cams, one in each room, but she told the nanny about them when she was hired, basically a "Just so you know, we have cameras and will be checking in often" warning. I think that employees would do a better job knowing that they were being filmed.

 

[MickeySP]

Only if you are doing a reality TV show!