Hidden Risks
Criminals Can See Inside Your Home Without Ever Stepping Foot Inside It
In an age where privacy is increasingly under threat, one major risk homeowners often overlook is the exposure of their home’s interior through online listings, archived virtual tours, and floor plans. With advancements in technology, even after a home has been purchased, sensitive details about your property can remain available online—potentially compromising your privacy and security.
The Growing Digital Risk: Archived Listings and Virtual Tours
Today’s real estate platforms use high-resolution photos, 3D tours, and detailed floor plans to showcase homes to prospective buyers. While these tools are beneficial during the selling process, many homeowners don’t realize that, long after a home has been sold, these materials can remain accessible on the internet. Criminals and others can easily use archived virtual tours or floor plans to study your home’s layout, entry points, and valuable contents—without ever stepping foot inside. My research shows that this is happening frequently in major US cities, and it only stands to reason that it could or already is happening here.
How to Protect Yourself: Removing Archived Photos and Virtual Tours
Remove Photos from Real Estate Websites. Contact platforms like Zillow, Realtor.com, and Redfin to ensure that your home’s old listing photos, floor plans, and virtual tours are taken down after the sale. These websites often keep these materials available long after the transaction is complete.
The links below will show you how to claim your home address from Zillow, Redfin, and Realtor.com
Removing Photos from Zillow
To remove photos from Zillow, you must first claim your home. Visit Zillow’s website, log in, and search for your property. Once found, select Claim Your Home.
Step 2: Contact Zillow Support
Email Zillow’s support team at listingupdates@zillow.com. Provide the property
address and a specific request to remove any archived photos, floor plans, or virtual
tours.
Step 3: Follow Up
Zillow typically responds within a few days, but if you don’t hear back, follow up with them until your request is processed.
Removing Photos from Zillow
To remove photos from Zillow, you must first claim your home. Visit Zillow’s website, log in, and search for your property. Once found, select Claim Your Home.
Step 2: Contact Zillow Support
Email Zillow’s support team at listingupdates@zillow.com. Provide the property
address and a specific request to remove any archived photos, floor plans, or virtual
tours.
Step 3: Follow Up
Zillow typically responds within a few days, but if you don’t hear back, follow up with them until your request is processed.
Removing Photos from Realtor.com
Log in to your Realtor.com account, search for your home, and select Claim Your
Home.
Step 2: Request Removal of Photos
Contact Realtor.com’s customer service by emailing support@realtor.com. Be sure to include your name, the property address, and a request to remove all old photos, floor plans, and virtual tours.
Step 3: Wait for Processing
The process may take a few days. If necessary, follow up to ensure the removal is completed.
Removing Photos from Realtor.com
Step 1: Claim Your Home on Realtor.com
Log in to your Realtor.com account, search for your home, and select Claim Your
Home.
Step 2: Request Removal of Photos
Contact Realtor.com’s customer service by emailing support@realtor.com. Be sure to include your name, the property address, and a request to remove all old photos, floor plans, and virtual tours.
Step 3: Wait for Processing
The process may take a few days. If necessary, follow up to ensure the removal is completed.
Removing Photos from Redfin
Step 1: Log in and Claim Your Home
Visit Redfin and claim your property by logging in and searching for your home. Select Claim Home to start the process.
Step 2: Contact Redfin Support
Email Redfin’s customer service at customer-service@redfin.com with your
property address and a request to remove all old photos and floor plans.
Step 3: Follow Up
Follow up with Redfin if you don’t receive a confirmation of removal within a few days.
Why Removing Archived Photos Matters
Old listing photos, floor plans, and virtual tours can expose your home to potential security risks. Once your home is sold, these images may remain online, allowing unauthorized individuals to see inside your home or study its layout.
Removing Photos from Redfin
Step 1: Log in and Claim Your Home
Visit Redfin and claim your property by logging in and searching for your home. Select Claim Home to start the process.
Step 2: Contact Redfin Support
Email Redfin’s customer service at customer-service@redfin.com with your
property address and a request to remove all old photos and floor plans.
Step 3: Follow Up
Follow up with Redfin if you don’t receive a confirmation of removal within a few days.
Why Removing Archived Photos Matters
Old listing photos, floor plans, and virtual tours can expose your home to potential security risks. Once your home is sold, these images may remain online, allowing unauthorized individuals to see inside your home or study its layout.
