After reading Scott Fogleman's post on When did it become ok to give buyers keys before closing? I started boiling inside thinking about the speaker in the Sentrilock class at our GMM (Honolulu Board of Realtors General Membership Meeting) meeting a couple weeks ago.
The panel gave their feedback on why the Sentrilock Electronic Lockbox was a plus for our listings. This speaker gave an example of how he had regular Masterlock lockbox on the door and one day he went to check on it and the combination had been changed!
Gasps! You could hear the majority of the class commence whispering!
Why so surprised? I think the majority of us weren't surprised and had many situations arise with regular lockboxes but none of them more famous than an agent giving their buyer the combo because they were too ‘busy' (I say lazy) to accompany their client on the showing appointment.
A few years ago, I found out a buyer had gone in to view a listing of mine without his agent ...
because the buyer picked up one of my cards and called me for additional information!
Oahu Real Estate agents and our Honolulu Board of Realtors have been trying to incorporate widespread use of the Sentrilock electronic lockbox and many agents huff and puff at the additional cost for membership, the lockbox and a slight inconvenience to renew their cards.
How can these minor inconveniences and costs not be worth the safety of the seller's home?
As soon as the Sentrilock lockboxes arrived a couple years ago many of us in our office bought into it. THE BIGGEST REASON WAS SAFETY FOR OUR CLIENTS! The next was because we'd all had instances where agents had given their client the combination number and did not accompany their client.
We now have mandatory Honolulu Board of Realtors "Smartcards" so every agent will use them for entry to a listing with their client....although there are many who still call for a one day code because they did not renew their card at the office.
THEY SELL THE Card Reader for a whopping TEN DOLLARS!
Any more excuses not to use the Sentrilock Electronic Lockbox and the system?
The safety and protection of our seller's homes are top priority.
What else need I say?
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Celeste "Sally" Cheeseman is a Realtor-Associate with Century 21 Liberty Homes in Mililani, Hawaii. With a sharp understanding that a listening ear is the key to a client's needs she serves the island of Oahu (Honolulu County) and all Hawaii Military Relocating to Hawaii, Hawaii Retirees, Hawaii Job Transfers and Hawaii Residents.
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