Home Security - Lesson 3: Removing Your Home’s Photos from Real Estate Sites

"Let’s Not Make It Too Easy for the Bad Guys."

If your home has been listed for sale at any point in the last decade, there’s a good chance that detailed information about your property is still publicly available on various real estate websites. These sites often display square footage, the number of bedrooms, entry points, types of doors and windows, and in some cases even floor plans- essentially providing a digital blueprint of your home. This level of detail can give criminals a clear view of your home’s layout, including likely locations for valuables, such as the master bedroom closet.

When combined with tools like Google Maps and Street View, someone with bad intentions can gather a surprising amount of intelligence without ever stepping foot on your property. In some cases, exterior security cameras and blind spots may even be visible in these online images.

The good news? You can take action. The step-by-step guide below will help you reduce your home’s digital footprint and reclaim a bit of your privacy and security.

How to Remove or Minimize Your Home’s Online Presence (Zillow, Homes.com, Google Maps, etc.)

Before You Begin:

• Understand the limits: You can remove or request edits on some sites, but some information (like property tax records) is public and may be re-published by aggregators.

• Be persistent: Many sites will not remove data unless you go through specific opt-out procedures or verify ownership.

PART 1: Remove or Edit Listings from Real Estate Sites

Step-by-Step: Zillow

Zillow pulls data from public records and MLS listings. Here's how to limit what’s visible:

Step 1: Claim Your Home

1. Visit www.zillow.com.

2. Type your address in the search bar.

3. Click on the listing for your home.

4. Look for “More” → “Claim this home.”

5. Log in or create a Zillow account and verify ownership (usually via phone or email).

Step 2: Edit or Remove Home Facts

1. Once claimed, go to your owner dashboard.

2. Click Edit Facts.

3. Remove or alter personal photos, amenities, and details (e.g., number of bedrooms, upgrades).

4. You cannot delete the home entirely, but removing custom images and details minimizes exposure.

Step 3: Request Delisting if You’re Not Selling

If your home is showing as “for sale” or “sold,” but it’s not:

1. Contact Zillow at https://zillow.zendesk.com.

2. Submit a support request with your address and the issue (e.g., false listing).

3. Provide proof of ownership if needed (utility bill, ID).

Step-by-Step: Homes.com

Homes.com is a real estate aggregator, often fed by public data and MLS.

Step 1: Go to www.homes.com

1. Search for your address.

2. Scroll to the bottom or click “Report Problem with Listing” (not always present).

Step 2: Contact Support

1. Email: support@homes.com

2. Include:

• Full name

• Property address

• Reason for request (e.g., privacy concern, false listing)

• Proof of ownership (utility bill or tax statement)

3. Ask for the listing to be unpublished or removed.

Step-by-Step: Realtor.com

1. Visit www.realtor.com.

2. Find your home listing.

3. Scroll down and click “Report Issue.”

4. Select “Incorrect home facts” or “Home not for sale.”

5. You may be required to create an account and verify ownership.

PART 2: Opt Out from Property Record Aggregators (Data Brokers)

These sites collect public record data and re-publish it for profit. Opting out helps reduce the spread.

Common Property Data Sites:

• Spokeo – Opt-Out Page

• Whitepages – Opt-Out Page

• NeighborWho – Opt-Out Page

• BeenVerified – Opt-Out Page

• PeopleFinders – Opt-Out Page

General Steps:

1. Go to the opt-out link.

2. Search your address or name.

3. Submit a removal request.

4. Confirm via email.

5. Repeat for every site – each requires its own request.

Tip: Use a dedicated email for this purpose. Some sites sell your opt-out email!

PART 3: Blur or Remove Images on Google Maps & Street View

Step-by-Step: Google Street View

1. Open Google Maps.

2. Enter your home address.

3. Drag the yellow pegman icon (bottom right) onto the street in front of your house.

4. Once in Street View, click the three-dot menu in the top-left corner.

5. Select “Report a Problem.”

6. Fill out the form:

• Use the red box to highlight your house.

• Under “Request blurring,” choose “My home.”

• Describe your request (e.g., privacy concerns, security).

7. Submit the request.

Google will permanently blur the image and won’t reverse it.

PART 4: Additional Mapping & Satellite Services

Bing Maps

1. Visit https://www.bing.com/maps.

2. Look up your address and switch to StreetSide.

3. If your home is visible, you can submit a privacy request:

• Go to Bing’s privacy portal

• Choose “Privacy – Right to be Forgotten” and submit a request with reason.

Apple Maps

Apple doesn’t have a public tool like Google, but you can report issues in the Maps app:

1. Open Apple Maps.

2. Locate your home.

3. Tap “Report an Issue”.

4. Select Privacy Concern and submit a request to blur or remove imagery.

PART 5: Reducing Exposure in County Records & Tax Rolls

Property tax and ownership records are usually public and hosted by your county assessor or recorder.

Your options:

• Request to use a PO Box or alternate address for mailing (some counties allow this).

• In rare cases, ask to seal or redact ownership information for security reasons (e.g., stalking, domestic violence).

• Consider setting up an LLC or trust to purchase future property if long-term privacy is desired.

Privacy services like HomeTitleLock monitor property records for suspicious activity, but they don’t remove data.

Final Thoughts

Even after you've taken steps to reduce your home's online visibility, ongoing vigilance is essential. Many real estate platforms, third-party listing services, and data aggregator sites automatically republish or scrape property information from public records or old MLS feeds. This means your home’s listing, including photos, descriptions, or floor plans, could reappear without your knowledge, even after you’ve requested removal. It’s a good habit to periodically search your address online and verify that your privacy settings remain intact.

To stay ahead of unwanted re-listings, consider setting up a Google Alert for your name, your home address, or any unique identifiers. You’ll receive an email anytime those keywords appear on new websites or are reposted. In some areas, counties or title offices also offer property fraud alert systems, free tools that notify you if any activity (such as unauthorized title changes or fraudulent listings) is initiated using your property information. This is especially important given the rise in scams involving the unauthorized sale of vacant land or unoccupied homes.

It’s also critical to remember that digital security is a family-wide responsibility. Talk with your spouse, children, and other household members about the risks of sharing too much online. A single social media post showing your home’s exterior, address, or layout could undo all your privacy efforts, especially if it’s paired with travel updates or vacation photos. Encourage everyone to think twice before posting and to adjust their privacy settings accordingly.

Protecting your home isn’t a one-time fix, it’s an ongoing process. But with a few habits, tools, and conversations, you can greatly reduce your digital exposure and make your home a harder target, both online and off.

For more information, please see our Safest House on the Block Guide.