- Poll of 2,000 homeowners.
- 76% of Illinois homeowners want laws to wipe listings photos from the internet.
- Infographic including showing study results.
A new nationwide survey has uncovered a striking reality: most Illinois homebuyers don’t just want their homes off the market; they want the old listing photos erased too.
According to the study, commissioned by real estate marketing firm Hypewired, 76% of Illinois homeowners say state lawmakers should require real estate websites and MLS associations to delete interior photos once a sale is complete. The message is clear – people see lingering listing photos as more than an inconvenience; they see them as a direct threat to privacy and safety.
“These aren’t just pretty pictures for Zillow anymore – they are detailed blueprints of where families sleep, store valuables, and raise children,” says Tony Gilbert, Founder & CEO of Hypewired. “It’s shocking how little control homeowners actually have once those images go live.”
Fear of Photos Turning into Criminal Maps
The survey of 2,000 single-family homeowners, conducted in September 2025, shows homeowners are deeply uneasy about who can still peer into their kitchens, bedrooms, and kids’ playrooms long after the ‘SOLD’ sign comes down.
- 69% said family privacy was their top concern.
- 69% pointed to security risks.
- 53% objected on principle, saying private living spaces should not remain online indefinitely.
- 48% cited scams and fraud as a growing worry.
Law enforcement echoes these fears. Police in California, Michigan, and Arizona, for example, have warned that burglars increasingly use real estate sites to scope targets. The FBI’s Boston field office recently linked old listing photos to a spike in online rental scams.
“We’ve seen cases where a scammer grabs a home’s photos, reposts them as a fake rental, and tricks would-be tenants out of thousands of dollars,” Gilbert noted. “That’s not hypothetical. It’s happening right now.”
Families with Babies on the Way Sound the Loudest Alarm
Among all groups surveyed, one demographic stood out. Expectant parents were the most alarmed of all: 87% said states should mandate photo removal.
“When you’re preparing to bring a newborn into the world, you think about safety differently,” Gilbert said. “That explains why expectant parents overwhelmingly want these photos gone.”
Who Should Decide? Homeowners Say: The Buyer
Control is another flashpoint. A majority 61% believe the new buyer should decide whether photos remain visible. Only:
- 23% said the seller should decide.
- 8% trusted the listing agent.
- Just 3% trusted MLS associations.
The results highlight a massive disconnect between consumer expectations and industry practices. “Once you buy a home, you expect to own the photos too,” said Gilbert. “But right now, that’s rarely the case.”
Why the Photos Stick Around
So why are these private images still online at all? The answer lies in business incentives.
MLS associations and portals like Zillow, Realtor.com, and Redfin thrive on clicks, page views, and ad revenue. Old photos keep users browsing, which means more traffic and more money. Sellers often unknowingly grant brokerages a “forever license” when they sign listing agreements, which the industry then uses to justify keeping the content up indefinitely.
“The seller doesn’t have to live with the risk once they’ve moved on,” Gilbert explained. “It’s the new homeowner – the person who never signed anything – who’s left exposed.”
Will Illinois Lawmakers Step In?
The findings add to mounting pressure on Illinois lawmakers to intervene. Just as states once set rules for foreclosure disclosures and escrow timelines, photo privacy could be next.
“Consumers are telling us in no uncertain terms: balance marketing with safety, or we’ll demand legislation,” Gilbert said.
Tips for Protecting Your Home
Until laws catch up, experts recommend proactive steps:
- Ask your agent to request removal through your MLS after closing.
- File direct removal requests with Zillow, Realtor.com, and Redfin.
- Search your address on Google and request cached image removals.
About the Survey
The survey was conducted online via Pollfish on September 10, 2025, among 2,000 U.S. adults who self-identified as single-family homeowners. Estimated margin of error: ±2% at the 95% confidence level.
Click Here To Submit A News Tip Or Story