After closing on your new home, it is a good idea to consider re-keying the door locks on your home. This is a major safety consideration to you and your family. Also, there are property insurance considerations, for instance; if somebody broke into your home, and if you could not show force able entry, your insurance company may refuse to pay the claim for property damage and/or loss of property. Recommend you re-key on both new and resale homes. On new homes, builders have one master key that opens all their built homes. When the new home buyer first uses their new keys given to them at closing, this is supposed to void the master key used by builder. This has not always been the case. Therefore, the safest thing to do, always re-key all door locks on your new home.
John you make a good point, I never thought about re-keying homes. Have you heard of an instances where an insurance company won't pay a claim? Thanks for the information and have a great weekend!
Kristin
It's always wise to re-key. Many vacant homes have been "serviced" by an army of contractors throughout the listing period and God knows who may have had an opportunity to "copy" the key for future "use" or entry. Very good advice!!
Makes sense on purchasing a used home but I never gave it a thought on a new home -- good point.
Most good builders have a "lock-out" policy where no contractors have been given the final house keys, but what a great point!!!! Re-Keying is s simple way to help protect your investment and your family. I would have never thought of that! THank you!
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