Whose Doorbell Is This, Anyway?
What smart homes reveal about ownership, access, and the assumptions we carry to the front door
There’s a quiet shift happening under our feet—under the roofs we inspect, under the assumptions we carry, and under the very idea of what it means to “own” a home.
A Ring doorbell stays behind after closing.
Is it included?
Is it leased?
Does it even work without a subscription?
The buyer assumes yes.
The seller never thought about it.
The agent doesn’t know.
And the inspector? Well… we saw it, but did we say anything?
The subscription model is expanding faster than most of us can track.
Security systems, water softeners, smart thermostats, solar panels, satellite dishes—all physical hardware, often installed permanently, and yet… not always owned by the person selling the house.
Ownership has become slippery.
Access has become digital.
And assumptions? Dangerous.
So Here’s the Plan
I’m starting a new series—maybe once a month, maybe more often if the confetti keeps flying—exploring the strange, shifting world of physical stuff that looks like it belongs to the house… but might not.
You’re invited. Inspectors, agents, educators, buyers, sellers—even that cable installer who’s seen it all and patched none of it.
Let’s unpack this—one Jack-in-the-Box at a time.
Coming Topics
Water softeners and service contracts
Satellite dishes and who really owns them
Security panels vs. subscriptions
The disappearing solar array
“Smart” homes, dumb assumptions
When digital access doesn’t transfer
Got a story?
What’s the strangest device you’ve seen left behind?
Have you encountered equipment that looked like it belonged—but didn’t?
Did a buyer call you six months later to ask, “How do I reset the password on this thing?”
Reply, comment, or email me. Let’s dig through the attic and see what we’ve forgotten to question