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If You Want To Blame Me For Not Getting Into My Listing...As They Say, Fine!

It didn't take long after our board discontinued the use of one day showing codes, for the first agent to call me complaining that they couldn't get into one of my listings. On October 1st, Anne Arundel County Board of Realtors blocked the one day code from being used in the Sentrilock lockboxes. Since our conversion to Sentri, agents without keys, non-updated keys, lost keys, etc., were able to get into listings via a 4 digit one day showing code.

According to the board, the one day showing codes were blocked because of security. OK, thats what they said, even though there are about a bazillion combo lockboxes out there too. Since they're the controlling Board, it didn't matter what the reason. It was their decision, and, as members, we all live by it.

It was a nice feature, but now its gone. Despite this, I got a call from the showing service the other day asking for permission to give out a one day code. Sure, but I don't think it will work. Sure enough, a couple of minutes later I get a call from Sentrilock support asking my permission for the same thing. Didn't work for him either. It's blocked, period, end of story.

After several unsuccessful attempts to circumvent the system, the agent calls. "I guess you don't want your listing shown if you don't allow agents to get a one day showing code." When I explained to her that these were no longer allowed, it didn't really matter. At that point she was just posturing for her buyers by yelling at me. I even offered to go out and let her in, but she would have none of it.

I guess she didn't get the memo about the one day codes being blocked. To me it doesn't matter whether they allow a one day showing code or not. I have a key and I keep it updated.

How any real estate agent can function without a real estate key, to the Board approved lockbox system, is a mystery to me. Frankly, if you want to be a real estate agent, you have to pay the price. Purchasing a key, and a yearly subscription, should not be discretionary.

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Richard Iarossi, REALTOR®
Long and Foster® Real Estate, Inc.
Crofton, MD 21114

410-451-6255 Office
443-995-9595 Cell
Web: http://www.RichSellsHomes.com
eMail: Rich@RichSellsHomes.com

Annapolis MD Real Estate Specialist
Bowie MD Real Estate Specialist
Crofton MD Real Estate Specialist

Posted by Richard Iarossi, Crofton MD Real Estate, Annapolis MD Real Estate on 10/12/2009 06:48 AM

Comments (20)

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Originally posted at: mdrealestateblog.com: If You Want To Blame Me For Not Getting Into My Listing...As They Say, Fine!

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20 Comments on If You Want To Blame Me For Not Getting Into My Listing...As They Say, Fine!

OCT

Good post on the frustrations of lock boxes. Thanks for sharing your experience. Best wishes for continued success.

We don't have this system...but the "not my fault" posture is not uncommon...and she will tell her buyers that you were of course not cooperative....and after that happens a few times, they too will catch on, it wasn't everyone else who was wrong..

Our electronic keyboxes do not have that feature. However, there are many who don't have a keypad. Love those phone calls, "I want to show your listing, what is the combo?" My response, "the listing says electronic lockbox, use your keypad." Yes, the end to the story is always having to go to the house at their convenience to let them in. My own town is a mere 64 square miles, and if it is in an adjacent town, that does make it even further away.

I pay for my keypad, so should they! And how does one think that a push button or combo is safe? Beyond me, but what do I know.

Posturing for her client for sure. How irritating!

Rich...

I just lost my key ... and I'm a fish out of water. I can't survive for ONE day without mine. How do they expect to do it?

I think that a large number of agents don't read the communications issued by their board, MLS, regulator and other relevent groups. If they did read the communications, their level of frustration on issues such as the loss of one day codes would be reduced.

Perhaps is savings. . a lot of Realtors are cutting back nowadays.

Richard, was it because of security or was it because of agents who are trying to get around paying for the key card? Unfortunate though for the out of town appraiser who needs to gain access to do their job.

Roy, The lockbox systems isn't perfect but its the best we have for now.

Sally/David, You're right. Buyers only care about getting into the house.

Andrea, A Realtor without a key...I can't imagine how that would complicate life.

Rich, I couldn't agree more. It's the most basic tool we own.

Marc, I never thought of that but you're probably right.

Fernando, Sorry, there are plenty of areas to cut expenses. A lockbox key isn't one of them.

Mike, Appraisers, inspectors, can also purchase a key if their business requires it.

Lockbox keys are part of the cost of doing business in real estate. The sad thing is that those buyers are going away with a bad taste in their mouth about YOU, instead of their own unprepared agent.

Hi Rich:

Our lockboxes don't have the one day showing code feature.

But it's very frustrating as a listing agent when someone wants to access your listing and doesn't have a lockbox key.

It's all part of doing this business. If you can't afford the small investment to have a lockbox key, get out of the business.

Richard - we don't have that issue here with our system, no one day keys. But we do have a lot of agents who don't get the electronic key so they borrow the office key.

Interesting post we use only electronic keys here. I will not use combo boxes due to security . One day keys , never heard of this but it is intriguing

GOOD MORNING RICH! It's the life-line for all real estate agents. I just made some business cuts - this wasn't even a consideration when looking at where to scale down. --Gab

We don't have that system here, but I can only imagine we'd have the same kind of procrastinators. That seems to be a human quality :-)

Rich, At least with the Sentry lock system you had that option (Supra is far from perfect). Your right about every agent having a key, that is fundamental in our business.
Supercharge your week, great things will happen!
Paul

Rich, We use Supra here unless it is a bank owned property. And yes it is absolutely necessary to have an updated key in order to do business, especially if you area buyer's agent! She had no right to yell at you for her lack of planning!

I didn't want the system of electronic lock boxes. I was happy with the combination and key lock boxes we had when I first started in the business 25 years ago. But electronic lock boxes did not go away because we as agents didn't stand together and say NO. Some caved so the majority had to follow along and if you want to be in business, you have to have the tools to do it. I get so tired of being inconvenienced by agents who do not want to spend the money to have an electronic keypad.

Richard

If it's not working the MLS needs to think about what their members want.

Good luck and success.

Lou Ludwig

OCT

I agree with Susan. I really hate them. But, we don't have any choices because the Boards figured out another income stream. I much prefer a mechanical box. I have yet to be able to open one of the confound lockboxes without putting down everything I am carrying, purse included. They know when I am coming...and they will not let me in unless all my belongings are on the ground, rain, sleet, snow or sun.

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