KIM KOMANDO

Protect your privacy and remove home’s photos from real estate websites

Feb 5, 2023, 5:00 AM
(Pexels Photo)...
(Pexels Photo)
(Pexels Photo)

More than you realize is public information online. Here are five private details anyone can find out about you and your home online.

Luckily, there are steps you can take to protect your privacy. Tap or click for steps to blur your home on Google Maps and Apple Maps.

If you’re not trying to sell your home, there’s no reason to leave interior photos and other details on real estate sites like Realtor, Zillow and Redfin. Just think about how valuable your floor plan might be in the wrong hands.

Public information

When you’re selling your home, you want potential buyers to have all the information they need, including condition, photos, floor plans, furnishings and appliances. But if you just bought a house, you might not want all that information posted for anyone to see.

Do you want just another to see every entry point for each room? This information puts you at risk from criminals who can put together strategies based on your floor plans.

You might assume your real estate agent or seller would remove your home’s info from real estate sites after you’ve made a deal, but that’s not always the case.

Wonder who are your neighbors? You can walk over and say hi, but you can also find your neighbor’s name online.

A listing network

When your home is for sale, the broker uploads your home’s information (photos, floor plans and lots more) to a Multiple Listing Service. An MLS is where houses and pictures are posted.

This group then distributes the details to online real estate sites like Zillow, Realtor.com, Redfin and others. Brokers and agents who subscribe to that MLS for a membership fee can access all the information.

Real estate agents can also use the information to post their listings on social media and other online outlets.

Removing yourself from an MLS

Only licensed agents and brokers can access an MLS and make changes, such as removal. Whether you’re a buyer or seller, ask your listing agent to close out the listing on the MLS. This may not necessarily get everything removed right away, but it’s a start.

Just because your home’s information is removed from the MLS doesn’t mean it’s not posted elsewhere. You may still find it on publicly accessible real estate sites.

Once again, you can ask your listing agent to remove your photos and other home information from websites they have access to.

If your agent is dragging their feet, you can take matters into your own hands and remove the information from each site. You will need to create accounts.

You may have to claim ownership of the home before making any changes. This opens up tools to track the value of your home and gives helpful information on pricing, including the value of nearby homes, purchase history and personalized recommendations.

Claiming your home is also the first step in removing information and photos. Here’s how to do it on a few popular sites.

Zillow – Log into your profile at zillow.com and search for your address to find your home’s property page. Then:

● Under the More drop-down tab, click Verify your ownership.
● Verify your ownership by answering a few questions.

Once you’ve claimed ownership, you can start removing photos from Zillow.

● Log into your profile at zillow.com.
● Click on your profile icon, then select Your Home from the menu option.
● Click on the tile for your home to load the property page.
● Click on the Edit Facts icon from the Owner View of the property page.
● To remove a photo, click on an individual photo and click Remove Photo.
● Remove all your photos, then select Save Changes.

Having problems getting this done at Zillow? Go to zillow.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/requests/new to submit a ticket for help.

Realtor.com – Go to realtor.com/myhome, type in your address and click the magnifying glass to start claiming your home.

● Follow the steps to prove your ownership, and you’re all set.

Now do the following:

● Log into your profile at realtor.com.
● Go to your owner dashboard under the My Home tab.
● Click the Remove Photos button.

Submit a ticket at support.realtor.com/s/contactsupport if you need assistance.

Redfin – Go to your Owner Dashboard to claim your home.

● Follow the steps to prove your ownership.

After claiming your home, you can make changes from your Owner Dashboard:

● Log into your account at redfin.com.
● Go to your Owner Dashboard using the drop-down menu under your name in the top-right corner of the page.
● Click on your home.
● Click Edit Photos, then Hide listing photos.
● Click Yes, Hide Photos when it pops up.

What digital lifestyle questions do you have? Call Kim’s national radio show and tap or click here to find it on your local radio station. You can listen to or watch The Kim Komando Show on your phone, tablet, television or computer. Or tap or click here for Kim’s free podcasts.

Kim Komando

(Pixabay Photo)...
Kim Komando

Protect your privacy from apps and people tracking your every move

Install an app, and in the legalese, it says the app developer has the right to share or transfer data collected from users with third-party entities, including advertisers, marketers, or data brokers. But you can make it stop.
4 days ago
(Pixabay Photo)...
Kim Komando

These are the best and worst places to put home security cameras

You put a lot of trust in your home security cameras. Here's a list of where place them to ensure the essential spots are covered.
11 days ago
(Pixabay Photo)...
Kim Komando

Learn how to avoid drone surveillance to protect your privacy

The legality of drone surveillance varies by country and state, but if the drone is flying on your private property and recording you without your consent, call the police.
18 days ago
(Pixabay Photo)...
Kim Komando

How to avoid the most common mistakes with your PC

Whether your computer is new or years old, these tips can help you clean things up and stay safer. Read on to see if you’re making these mistakes.
25 days ago
Leitz, owned by the Swedish Esselte corporation has designed a desk lamp which can be controlled th...
Kim Komando

Don’t be a victim: leaving your phone’s Bluetooth on is a major security risk

Keeping yourself safe from creeps and hackers is a big job, but certain habits make it easier.
1 month ago
Apple's Messages icon displayed on a phone screen is seen in this illustration photo taken in Krako...
Kim Komando

How to catch someone spying on your text messages

Just about every connected device you have can be used to spy on you, and this isn’t limited to smart speakers and webcams.
1 month ago

Sponsored Articles

...
Fiesta Bowl Foundation

Celebrate 50 years of Vrbo Fiesta Bowl Parade magic!

Since its first production in the early 1970s, the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl Parade presented by Lerner & Rowe has been a staple of Valley traditions, bringing family fun and excitement to downtown Phoenix.
...
Day & Night Air Conditioning, Heating and Plumbing

Prep the plumbing in your home just in time for the holidays

With the holidays approaching, it's important to know when your home is in need of heating and plumbing updates before more guests start to come around.
(Desert Institute for Spine Care photo)...
DESERT INSTITUTE FOR SPINE CARE

Why DISC is world renowned for back and neck pain treatments

Fifty percent of Americans and 90% of people at least 50 years old have some level of degenerative disc disease.
Protect your privacy and remove home’s photos from real estate websites