Lockbox, Lockbox, Wherefor Art Thou Lockbox?

You Can Put Me On A Hose Bib Or Even On A Bench

Not The Ideal Locations, But They'll Do In A Pinch                                                

 

You Can Hide Me In The Bushes, You Can Hang Me On A Fence

Or How About The Front Door, Now - Wouldn't That Make Sense?

 

I Hate To Be A Nagger, But This Lockbox Hiding Is Silly

I Just Want To Show Your Home, Not Wander Willy Nilly!

 
Post is included in group: Las Vegas Real Estate

71 Comments on Lockbox, Lockbox, Wherefor Art Thou Lockbox?

Haha cute. I love to see original stuff on here. It makes it worth reading all the other stuff to come to a funny post. Thanks

05/28/2007 10:40 AM by T.U.P. Realty


Sue...you stole my idea! I was going to do one on the lockbox today :)  The more I climb the ladder of blog-dom the stiffer the competition gets!  I was dreaming last night of blog ideas.....sheesh!

05/28/2007 10:40 AM by Mary Warren, Las Vegas Real Estate (Keller Williams Southern Nevada)


AMEN SISTER - PREACH IT!  This drives me NUTZZZ!  It's just not easy to look professional sqatting in front of a hose bib, pointing our TREO's at a little box.  Then, having to remove our muddy shoes-we were sqatting in mud-because the carpet was just cleaned.  This is just plain silly.  Thanks so much for your post. 

05/28/2007 10:43 AM by Laguna Homes|Laguna Condos| Laguna Real Estate|Marlene Bridges (Sherman Smith & Associates)


Sue,

I hate when they hide it and don't tell you where it is even in the Realtor remarks!  You then get to look like an idoiot to your clients while searching for it!

Rita 

05/28/2007 10:50 AM by Rita Taylor | Sanford NC Real Estate & Homes for Sale in Sanford North Carolina (Strother Real Estate)


Thank you ALL for the great comments.  Rita makes an excellent point...  If you can let us know where you hid it, we'll look LESS stupid!  Of course that doesn't keep me from tearing up the heels of my nice sandals in your rocks, but at least I won't look like a TOTAL moron!

05/28/2007 10:57 AM by Sue Nelson, Broker/Associate Las Vegas Real Estate ~Team Rhino~ (ERA Sunbelt Realty)


That was cute! I hate when people hide the lockbox on a bush... it's especially annoying when it's a prickly bush and when it's raining as your entire arm and your key card get so wet, it's gross.

05/28/2007 10:59 AM by Donna Harris, ASP (Re/Max HiNet)


This is great!  Yes... the lockbox challenge.  I've had to deal with it quite a few times as well.

05/28/2007 11:07 AM by Pasadena CA Real Estate - Irina Netchaev (Keller Williams International Realty)


Very creative.  I find the mechanical lock boxes a challenge.  I can't see the numbers they are white on white or black on black or gold on gold.  sometimes I have the little children of the home buyers do it for me.  it makes them feel important.

05/28/2007 11:16 AM by Teresa Boardman (Keller Williams)


I can't tell you how many times the sprinklers have come on while I was in a flower bed or the sprinklers are on when we get there & we have to wait for a 10 minute cycle to get the lockbox.  Talk about taking the fun right out of seeing THAT house!!

05/28/2007 11:22 AM by Sue Nelson, Broker/Associate Las Vegas Real Estate ~Team Rhino~ (ERA Sunbelt Realty)


Hey at least there IS a lockbox. I HATE the listing agents that request you stop by their office, invariably across town, to pick up the key, then of course you have to return it. Or the ones that use combo boxes & don't give you the code.....

05/28/2007 11:22 AM by Cape Coral Real Estate Broker | Susan Milner | Florida-Future-Realty.com (Florida Future Realty, Inc.)


Cute.  I feel your pain. On Saturday I showed a home (in the rain) and the lockbox was on the side in the MUD!

05/28/2007 11:29 AM by Liz Landry (The Landry Team-Keller Williams Realty)


Susan:  Excellent point.  My thoughts - If the listing agent wants me to show their listing - they can deliver a key to MY office and they can PICK IT UP when I'm done with it. 

05/28/2007 11:31 AM by Sue Nelson, Broker/Associate Las Vegas Real Estate ~Team Rhino~ (ERA Sunbelt Realty)


i have seen doors get dinged up by lock boxes.

i will not allow a realtor to hang one on my door. they are VERY outdated in design AND functionality

 

05/28/2007 11:32 AM by Tom Burris | Texas Home Loan Expert (DallasLoanGuy.com)


I totally feel your pain.  I showed a house the other day and it took me almost 25 minutes just to get the key out of the box that was behond a big bush filled with bees!!

05/28/2007 11:32 AM by Christy Avila (J and C Realty)


Liz:  At least we don't get "muddy" here, I sympathize.  But wet is wet!  Ugh!

05/28/2007 11:32 AM by Sue Nelson, Broker/Associate Las Vegas Real Estate ~Team Rhino~ (ERA Sunbelt Realty)


I've found them in some very interesting places--you truly have to be an inquiring mind sometimes.  Enjoyed the post.

05/28/2007 11:32 AM by Diane Bell, Hilton Head Real Estate, Bluffton (Charter 1 Real Estate, Hilton Head, Bluffton, SC)


Tom:  Good point.  However, if they are attached correctly - they should not dent.  Not to mention, you're moving - it's not going to be your door anymore.  :)

Christy:  Bees?  Yeah, not so much.  NEXT HOUSE!

Diane:  We should have a contest.  The GREAT LOCKBOX CHALLENGE.  How difficult can we make it for a buyer to see our home?

05/28/2007 11:36 AM by Sue Nelson, Broker/Associate Las Vegas Real Estate ~Team Rhino~ (ERA Sunbelt Realty)


How about those who have the hours so tight that you can not show. For example the agent who has the viewing time from 11 AM to 6 Pm. These are the people who usually hide the lockbox. I try to work from 8 Am on.... Great Post.

05/28/2007 11:42 AM by Frank Rubi Louisiana Real Estate-Homes for Sale (Specialized Real Estate Services, Inc.)


That is HILARIOUS!!!  Really...what is the BIG DEAL on hiding the lockbox? Do they want you to "hide the sign" too???  How about in the backyard incognito behind the pool screen???  VERY CUTE!

05/28/2007 11:42 AM by Real Estate Specialist | Brandon, FL | Susie Roscoe (Signature Realty Associates)


Makes me think of a showing I had this winter - the lockbox was right where it should be - on the front door. HOWEVER - there was no rain diverter and every bit if ice cold melting snow went right down the back of my neck under my shirt - and I could not  GET IT OPEN!! Number was right, but it was sticking, so needless to say the house's first fault was highlighted big-time - all roof liquid was dumping right on the front deck - can you say rot?  Lockboxes are a bain to our existence, aren't they?

05/28/2007 11:43 AM by Liz Foley (Town Square Realty Group)


Frank: No lie, I saw a listing the other day... Home can be shown by APPOINTMENT on Wed-Thurs ONLY Between 1-6 pm!   GOOD LUCK!!

05/28/2007 11:46 AM by Sue Nelson, Broker/Associate Las Vegas Real Estate ~Team Rhino~ (ERA Sunbelt Realty)


What happened to the days when the key was under the mat? And why can't they just put the CBS code on the back of the box for us.  You can't get access anyway without the keypad.

 

 

05/28/2007 11:49 AM by Rick Hurst (Home Works Inspection Co.)


Susie:  Hiding the sign - that's FUNNY!

Liz:  Haven't we always heard to accentuate the positive & camouflage the negative? 

05/28/2007 11:52 AM by Sue Nelson, Broker/Associate Las Vegas Real Estate ~Team Rhino~ (ERA Sunbelt Realty)


I love the hidden lockbox, especially muddy lots with high heals and ivory carpets.

05/28/2007 11:54 AM by Rebecca Savitski NC Real Estate Listings (NC List for Less Realty Incorporated)


No kidding! Let's do every possible thing to make it difficult to show the home!

05/28/2007 01:37 PM by Rich Jacobson ~ ActiveRain Community Builder (ActiveRain Corporation)


Anyone ever played 3 card monte lockbox? Guess which lockbox has the key. One listing had one on the door, hose bib and garage door. All electronic. Perhaps a picky seller going thru agents??

05/28/2007 01:42 PM by John Calvert (Desert Sun Realty)


Some of the unusualy places I've found lockboxes are; porch railings behind flower pots, hanging on outdoor furniture, gas meters, of course water spickets, and one enterprising soul even drove a huge nail into the outside wall beside the door to swing a lockbox from.

Always an adventure.

05/28/2007 01:58 PM by Jim Lee, Knoxville Tennessee RealtorĀ® (Realty Executives Associates)


How about the lockbox that is located just out of your reach around a corner above a sea of mud?  Heh heh.. in rainy weather I carry an extra pair of shoes because one time I stepped in that mud to get to the box, sank up to my knee (I'm 5'10"_, and when I pulled my foot out, the shoe was left in the bottom of the hole.  Needless to say, I did NOT reach in there to get it!  We had to stop at the Payless so I could grab something in a sandal in order to continue showing.  I bet those buyers never forget that!

05/28/2007 02:04 PM by Mary Ann Daniell


How about on the fence right by the big old dog who barks as you are trying to save your life and get the key at the same time.

05/28/2007 02:08 PM by Camarillo CA Real Estate Agent/ Mana Tulberg (Beach View Real Estate)


Thanks for your great creativity with the lock box we all have experienced it one way or the other.

05/28/2007 02:10 PM by Paul Anyanwu,Broker-Associate, RE/MAX LLEWELLYN


I've had sellers say, "Oh, don't put it on the door because then everybody will know my house is for sale." Um, like that big honkin' FOR SALE sign in the front yard doesn't give it away!!!  I've watched other agents on tour days pass up previewing homes when the lockbox was too hard to get to. But if I'm showing property, I've been known to crawl over fences to get the lockbox. Now when I call to find out if a property is still available, I ask the agent where the lockbox is located and make a note of it on the MLS print-out. That way I can tell buyers, "Wait by the front door. I have to trek through the mud and claw through the bushes to get to the lockbox because it's in the back yard on the gas pipe." Buyers are very impressed and think I know a lot more about the house than I probably do. At least I'm not standing there wondering where the lockbox is.  Only problem is once you get it open, which key opens which door? I try to remember to ask which door the key fits as well because agents don't label the keys or put notes in the box. Oh, except for the alarm code. Which is generally scrawled on a slip of paper that long ago had fallen into the mud and gotten lost. Aaaiiiieee. I love alarms.

05/28/2007 02:29 PM by Elizabeth Weintraub, Sacramento Real Estate Broker (Lyon Real Estate)


Oh what a FUN post this is!  Thank you all for your contributions.  They make me laugh & make me want to cry all at the same time!

05/28/2007 02:44 PM by Sue Nelson, Broker/Associate Las Vegas Real Estate ~Team Rhino~ (ERA Sunbelt Realty)


I had an agent (he sold Real Estate "on the side") who required me to go to another building three blocks away to get the key from the doorman there.  Not only did I have to hunt down the key, but he required me to put down a deposit of $20 because so many agents had not returned the key in the past.  I really wondered how motivated he was to get this listing sold.  

05/28/2007 02:58 PM by Patrick Martin (Re/Max Edge)


Great point. I hate looking for lockboxes. Esp when it is raining!

05/28/2007 03:00 PM by Bob Van Deusen (Coldwell Banker Mt West Real Estate)


Patrick:  We should charge them a deposit for us showing their pain in the arse listings!

Bob:  We don't have much problems with rain here... but it's still ridiculous to go hiking for a lockbox isn't it?

05/28/2007 03:04 PM by Sue Nelson, Broker/Associate Las Vegas Real Estate ~Team Rhino~ (ERA Sunbelt Realty)


Hi Sue,

You're a real poet!  There are times when we or the Seller need to keep the lockbox out of sight but we always put in the showing instructions to call listing agent for easy showing instructions.

Fun post though.

05/28/2007 03:08 PM by Pascack Valley Real Estate>> Lisa and Robert Hammerstein (Coldwell Banker)


This one had me laughing out loud.  Remembering myself in a dress and heels stepping through the garden getting to the lockbox on the faucet and bending down to manuver the key with the lock box and without mooning my clients.  LOL!!! 

05/28/2007 03:13 PM by Chrystina Tovani - Sacramento Metro Living (RealtyOne)


Haha! Sometimes you wonder if people really want to sell their home when they don't want to accommodate any possible buyers. Why not under showing instructions just put "see virtual tour"

05/28/2007 03:17 PM by Abraham Chaffin - Cambria Real Estate (Sand Shell Realty)


Lisa & Robert:  That's true... Sometimes it won't work on the door because of the handle type etc.  But I swear some agents actually HIDE them for fun!

Chrystina:  Oh yes... We must be careful what we wear on showing days!!  HA!

Abraham:  FABULOUS IDEA...  How about, make an offer subject to interior inspection!! 

 

05/28/2007 03:23 PM by Sue Nelson, Broker/Associate Las Vegas Real Estate ~Team Rhino~ (ERA Sunbelt Realty)


How did real estate work B.L. (Before Lockbox)? What a great invention this is. It gives us so much more control over our time.

05/28/2007 04:04 PM by Bettina Clairmont CPA (Bettina Clairmont)


I like the house with 3, yes three, boxes on it. Which do you choose? Doesn't matter none (nadda) were current. Tells you something doesn't?

05/28/2007 04:06 PM by Dena Stevens ~ Ecobroker ~So. Colorado Realtor (Colorado Western Real Estate)


Very Funny Sue!

You chose a creative way to express the thought as well definitely worth the featured position.

05/28/2007 04:40 PM by Alan Savage - Grass Valley Real Estate (Manor Realty)


Great Blog Sue. Just love trekking through the mud in heels. I think they plan that just so you will remove your shoes upon entry :))))))))

05/28/2007 05:04 PM by Lori Kim Polk, Sacramento Area Home Staging (Artful Journey Designs and Staging)


 

 Cute poem Sue !

I found after a couple of lockbox searches that the lockbox location is one of those 'if you don't ask the right question, you won't get the right answer'  thingies.  The worst place is when they put it way down at the bottom of something (like a wrought iron fence rail) facing in an awkward position so the numbers are hard to click ...taking the face plate off is another story entirely and NEVER mind trying to get the key back in and the faceplate back on....  still, beats the days of racing around to offices all over town picking up keys and then doing it all over again to return them !

     Jo

05/28/2007 05:09 PM by Jo-Anne Smith-Belleville, Quinte and Prince Edward Region Real Estate, Ont. (Royal Lepage Proalliance Realty, Brokerage)


Dena:  I'm thinking if the seller can't make up their mind on an agent, how are they going to decide on an offer?

Alan:  Thank you... Obviously I was totally playing, but it seems as if it's a bigger "hot button" than I realized.

Lori:  Almost makes you want to trek through the home with dirty feet to return the favor doesn't it?

Jo-Anne:  B.L.?  Ugh!!  However, I'd rather chase down a key in the comfort of my car than hopping fences I guess. 

Thanks for sharing!

 

 

05/28/2007 05:23 PM by Sue Nelson, Broker/Associate Las Vegas Real Estate ~Team Rhino~ (ERA Sunbelt Realty)


I love it when the key box is on a hose bib down behind the flower bed that can only be reached by someone with 5 feet arms who can get to it over 3 feet of mulch behind a HOLLY BUSH. 

If they wanted to insure a double deal, why not just have a 24 hour notice with "lister must accompany".

Every wonder why some homes just sit, and sit, and sit?

Judging from the response to this post, it appears that a lot of agents feel the same way.

05/28/2007 05:52 PM by Lenn Harley, Homefinders.com, MD & VA Real Estate


Sue, Very cute poem and post. I always put the lock box on the house next door. I do it just to mess with BAs.:)

05/28/2007 06:02 PM by Bryant Tutas-Tutas Towne Realty, Inc


This was great, Sue.  The worst is trying to show a condo in a building where so many units are for sale, there's a collection of lockboxes on the stair rail outside.  Unless the agent tells you which one is theirs, you're stuck trying ALL of them.  Fun........

05/28/2007 06:08 PM by Anne-Marie Castillo (Keller Williams Realty)


Lenn:  The response to this post was much greater than I had anticipated.  It's been FUN!

Bryant:  Now that's a clever idea.  I like it!!

Anne-Marie:  Have you ever shown a gated community where you had to have a gate card to get in?  Here they sometimes put it on the railing of the exterior gates... Then you have to get out of your car, try not to get ran over, grab the card - get back in the car - get through the gate - show the home only to have to do it all over again when you leave!!  Good times!!

05/28/2007 06:35 PM by Sue Nelson, Broker/Associate Las Vegas Real Estate ~Team Rhino~ (ERA Sunbelt Realty)


Nice poem.  One time I couldn't find the lockbox anywhere at all.  After searching all over, we realized that the home we wanted to see was actually next door.  The sign was between the two driveways and the homes looked very similar.  I'm just glad that the owner wasn't home.

05/28/2007 06:45 PM by Tim . (HomeAtlanta.com)


Great poem!  After this weekend, I might write one about the agent who didn't have a supra keypad yet and was angry when she couldn't get the key out of the box when no one was home.  Sherry

05/28/2007 07:28 PM by Sherry Spengel | Wheaton IL (Prudential Spengel Realty)


Congratulations on the Featured Post.  I love the creativity in making a very vaild point.

05/28/2007 07:39 PM by Terry Nachtergaele, Realtor ~ Team Rhino ~ (ERA Sunbelt Realty)


I have seen them in some pretty weird places. I hate when the listing says there's a lockbox, I call set up an appointment and ask about the lockbox. I get to the house and there's no lockbox to be found!

05/28/2007 09:54 PM by Christy Powers - Pooler, Savannah Real Estate Agent (Keller Williams Coastal Area Partners)


Great post!  I too have had trouble finding lockboxes in odd places.

05/28/2007 10:19 PM by Sheri Sanders -Easley,SC Real Estate (Prudential C Dan Joyner Co)


Sherry:  So, her lack of professionalism was somehow your fault?  Nice.

Terry:  Thank you!!

Christy:  Ouch.  No lockbox is worse than a hidden one!

Sheri:  I play a game with my clients now to see who can find it first!  Neighbors must think we're crazy when one of us yells, FOUND IT!!

 

 

05/28/2007 10:41 PM by Sue Nelson, Broker/Associate Las Vegas Real Estate ~Team Rhino~ (ERA Sunbelt Realty)


HA! Great stuff! I hate playing Hide & Seek with the lockbox and absolutely love your rhyme! Thanks for sharing  :)

05/28/2007 11:24 PM by Ryan Hukill - Edmond RealtorĀ® (Hukill Group - Paradigm Realty)


It's tough when the lock box is behind a bush that is swarming with bees! Or so close to a cactus that you can't get to the box without the thorns grabbing your hand. Argh.

Carolin Benjamin
Bob and Carolin Benjamin
The Benjamin Team
Keller Williams Integrity First Realty
Gold Canyon Arizona

05/29/2007 01:05 AM by Bob & Carolin Benjamin - E Phoenix Arizona Real Estate (The Benjamin Team - Keller Williams Integrity First Realty )


Carolin:  Someone else mentioned bees!  That's where I draw the line.  I'm way to sweet for bees to resist.  :)

05/29/2007 01:10 AM by Sue Nelson, Broker/Associate Las Vegas Real Estate ~Team Rhino~ (ERA Sunbelt Realty)


Carolin, hummmmmmmmm can I send to my ENTIRE board ? I hate looking for lockboxes.

05/29/2007 06:12 AM by Missy Caulk Ann Arbor Real Estate (Keller Williams Ann Arbor, Michigan)


Classic.  I always attach my lock boxes to the neighbor's house.  That keeps them guessing.

05/29/2007 07:21 PM by Chris Lengquist, RIPS (Keller Williams Realty)


How about the bumper of the old broken-down truck in the driveway?

05/29/2007 09:19 PM by Ryan Hukill - Edmond RealtorĀ® (Hukill Group - Paradigm Realty)


Today as I was showing homes, I kept wondering where I was going to find the lockboxes and if I'd have anything new to report... Nope... Same ol' Same ol'.  Water spigots, gates & lo and behold - even a few on the front doors!  :)

05/29/2007 09:23 PM by Sue Nelson, Broker/Associate Las Vegas Real Estate ~Team Rhino~ (ERA Sunbelt Realty)


I have found that some agents will forget the lockbox after the sale.  For instance, the sellers agent on my home, left the lockbox on my porch for 12 months!

05/30/2007 01:43 PM by Jonathan Vetter (Mercury Lending)


I took one off for an agent almost 4 years ago, she agreed to pick it up at my office.  She still hasn't!  4 YEARS!  And, she's still in the business.  You'd think she would've passed by my office at least ONCE in the last 4 years wouldn't you?

05/30/2007 04:47 PM by Sue Nelson, Broker/Associate Las Vegas Real Estate ~Team Rhino~ (ERA Sunbelt Realty)


Christy: How about lockbox on front door---no box no key...previous LREA left box and key in the house.

Almost lost a client on this one as she started bad mouthing agents.

05/30/2007 06:59 PM by Shirley Parks San Antonio Real Estate & Luxury Homes (RE/MAX Realty Advantage, San Antonio, TX)


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Real Estate Agent: Sue Nelson, Broker/Associate Las Vegas Real Estate ~Team Rhino~ (ERA Sunbelt Realty)
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