Buyers, Smile! You Might Be on Camera

Dated: August 31 2026

Views: 21

You walk into a house you’re considering buying.

Nice kitchen. Great backyard. Then you turn to your partner and announce:

“I LOVE IT. I’d pay way more than asking for this place.”

Please don’t.

Welcome to house hunting in 2026, where doorbell cameras, security systems and indoor cameras are increasingly common.

Assume Someone Can Hear You

When you’re viewing a home, the safest rule is simple:

Save the commentary for outside.

That includes how much you love the house, how much you’d be willing to pay, how desperate you are to move, or the fact that “this is definitely THE ONE.”

Those are useful things for your Realtor to know.

The seller? Not so much.

Negotiating is considerably easier when we haven’t already announced our entire strategy in their kitchen.

And Maybe Save the Criticism Too

The opposite is also true.

You may hate the paint. The sofa may be… memorable. And yes, that wallpaper may deserve its own conversation.

Have it later.

Apart from basic courtesy, you never know what might be heard — and there’s absolutely no advantage to offending the person you may be negotiating with tomorrow.

What CAN You Talk About?

Ask questions. Discuss the layout. Point out things you want me to investigate. Just avoid conversations about price, negotiating strategy, motivation or how emotionally attached you already are to the house.

We can talk freely once we're outside.

The Best House-Hunting Rule?

Look inside. Negotiate outside.

A showing is for deciding whether the home could be right for you — not for accidentally giving the seller your poker hand.

And if you forget?

Don't worry. I'll probably be the Realtor quietly giving you the look.

Buying a home in Calgary? Bring your questions, your wish list and your poker face. I’ll help with the rest.

Carmen Zaharia - RE/MAX Complete Realty
403-862-2489 or Carmen.Remax.Calgary@gmail.com

Blog author image

Carmen Zaharia

I entered the real estate industry in 2008—right in the midst of the global financial crisis. While it was a tough time for homeowners and professionals alike, it taught me how to think creatively, ....

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