The AVS Journal
Privacy Preparation for a Zillow Tour Session
Privacy preparation for a Zillow tour begins before the camera arrives. Remove information and belongings you do not want publicly visible, then inspect the whole room and its reflections rather than relying on a single preferred photographic angle.
Look for information, not only clutter
Check desks, refrigerator doors, calendars, whiteboards and screens for names, schedules, account details or access information. Put away medication and documents when appropriate. The home can remain furnished and welcoming without displaying private records. Choose a secure location outside the agreed capture scope rather than shifting papers between rooms during the session.
Inspect reflections and connected spaces
A mirror can reveal a hallway, a desk behind the camera or someone waiting nearby. Glass doors and appliance fronts can also reflect surroundings. Walk the included rooms and look back toward the entrance. Prepare visible adjacent spaces even if the camera will not physically enter them, and coordinate where occupants can wait.
Confirm capture exclusions in advance
Tell AVS which spaces are private and should not be included. Discuss how those exclusions affect the tour route and what can still be seen through openings. Do not assume that closing one door resolves every view into the area. After delivery, review the tour before distributing the link widely.
Example: a home office beside the living room
In an illustrative occupied home, the office is excluded but visible through an open doorway and reflected in a wall mirror. Closing the agreed door and clearing any remaining reflected information addresses the issue before capture. Simply telling the photographer not to enter the office would not necessarily be enough.
Privacy walk-through
- Remove documents, schedules and access information.
- Check screens, mirrors and reflective surfaces.
- Agree on private areas and a storage location.
- Review the completed tour before public sharing.
Frequently asked questions
Should family photographs always be removed?
Decide what you are comfortable displaying publicly and discuss the preparation plan with the owner. Removing identifiable personal items is a straightforward way to limit unwanted exposure.
Can privacy concerns be handled only after delivery?
Preparation is more reliable. Ask about a specific correction if necessary, but do not assume every visible detail can be removed easily from the completed tour.
Platform reference: Zillow’s official 3D Home overview.
