Which Lockbox Best Secures the Key to Your Home Listed For Sale?

Combo lockboxes are cheaper than the heavier iBoxes...there's a reason for that! Actually, there are several reasons for the difference in cost. You know the old saying 'You get what you pay for!' This applies to lockboxes that allow Realtors© to show your house when it's listed for sale, too.

The picture shows a combination lockbox on the left and a GE Supra iBox on the right. Combination lockboxes come in a variety of designs. Most cost between $15 and $45. They can be purchased at hardware stores or online.

As I explain to sellers when listing their home for sale, these combo lockboxes can be cut with bolt cutters. Many can be pried open with the right tools and sufficient motivation. So, there's a security issue with the combo key boxes while the iBoxes are made of stronger stuff. 

Another difference between the two key keepers is how they are accessed. The combo boxes can be accessed by anyone who has the code. Who can get the code? In theory, only licensed agents can get the code for combo lock boxes here in Kansas City. In reality, some agents have been known to give the code to buyers, friends and other unauthorized people. [Agents are not supposed to give the code to anyone and most do not but some agents have broken this rule.] Homebuyers have been known to watch the agent open a combo lockbox, make note of the code and enter the house at a later time without authorization. I've also heard of people following Realtors© hoping to pick up a piece of discarded paper with the combination written on it. Employees of the Showing Services also see these codes.

The second photo shows an open combo lockbox. The key is placed inside, then the numbers or letters are turned to lock it in place. Can you see how thin the metal is?

There is a release within the box to place the box around a door handle. Once opened, there is also a way to reset/change the combination. 

The third photo shows the GE Supra Security iBox and the eKey used to open it. Notice how much thicker the iBox is than the combo lockbox.

Also note that there is no way to pry the box open. The key is placed in the small part which is then inserted inside of the large blue part.It locks in place without turning anything.

There is no combination to steal or give away. To open the iBox, you must have an eKey. Each eKey, like the iBoxes, is registered to a particular agent. Each agent has their own code to operate their eKey. Actually, they have 2 codes; one to open any iBox and one to program the iBoxes assigned to them.

In Kansas City, we lease iBoxes through our Kansas City Regional Association of Realtors©. Each iBox is programmed to only open to an eKey prompt between 8am and 10pm. The times can be changed by the agent leasing the box.The shackle must be released in order to program the box. Both codes are necessary to install an iBox and secure the key within. We can also program the iBoxes to send us an email every time the iBox is accessed. That means that I know when someone is entering one of my listings in real time. [My email comes to my phone.]

eKeys are also leased through our Kansas City Regional Association of Realtors©. The eKey is seen at the bottom of the 3rd photo.

Any agent wishing to show the house for sale protected by an iBox must make an appointment through Centralized Showing. Every time an agent opens the iBox, the name of the agent and the time is recorded on the computer system. Agents entering houses without an appointment are subject to disciplinary action, suspension, and possibly criminal prosecution.

Based on the information you now have, which lockbox would you prefer to secure the keys to your home while it's listed for sale?