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Please, Don't Lock The Garage Doors!

By
Real Estate Agent with Berkshire Hathaway Home Services Florida Network Realty BK 3030920

This is top of mind for me, as I just had to "rescue" a tenant after a showing, as the showing agent didn't heed the showing instructions and he locked the garage door.

Now, I have many homeowners/tenants who simply access their house via the garage door, and hence, they do not lock the door leading from the garage into the house.

I'm aware, this is a safety issue as well, however, it's a lifestyle issue first and foremost.

When I'm showing property, I check all the doors, and if someone else opens a door, I ask them if that door was locked or not; the only house I lock all the doors on is a vacant house.

Please be conscientious as to what is locked or not locked, and remember, you are not the one who lives there, so you should leave it the way you found it!

Thanks!

Posted by

Carol Zingone is a full service Broker Associate proudly affiliated with Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Florida Network Realty in Atlantic Beach, FL.  I help buyers and sellers locally, regionally, and internationally.  With hundreds of happy buyers and sellers over the course of my career, I'm thrilled to help first time buyers, military buyers, seniors, investors, 1031 exchange properties, short sales and REO's.  I have spent hours honing my expertise, including the designations of: Graduate Realtor Institute (GRI), Loss Mitigation Certification (LMC) , Short Sales, Foreclosures, REO's, (SFR), and Senior Real Estate Specialist (SRES).  I pride myself on providing excellent expertise to all buyers and sellers. Search the MLS via www.carolzingone.com  for Jacksonville and area listings!

 

Comments (7)

Deborah Byron Leffler BzyBee Real Estate Lady!
Keller Williams Realty Boise - Nampa, ID

Oh Carol....I hear you ...this is how i access my house so I would be in a bit of problem if some one locked me out!!! 

May 25, 2011 09:37 AM
Rob Thomas
Prestige Homes of The Tri Cities, Inc. CALL....423-341-6954 - Bristol, TN
Bristol TN-VA & Tri Cities Agent, ABR, GRI, e-Pro

Carol....sounds like you do the same as I.....It just takes paying attention....Thanks for the reminder!
Hope you have a great day!!!---Rob

May 25, 2011 09:39 AM
Gerard Gilbers
Higher Authority Markeing - Asheboro, NC
Your Marketing Master

I always try to leave a home the same way that I found it, but if in doubt (and it's not in the instructions), I will lock a door. If they don't want to carry to a key for theat door, they might want to leave a key somewhere hidden in the garage so that they are not locked out!  I carry two keys for my house and car so I don't get locked out!! 

May 25, 2011 09:44 AM
Robert Bob Gilbert
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Anderson Properties - Katy, TX
Your Katy TX ( West of Houston) Real Estate Expert

maybe maybe not.. I have had showing instructions that said lock all the doors and then found the back door unloced, garage unlocked, etc.. My guess is that other lazy agents did not bother to lock doors that were already locked..

May 25, 2011 09:48 AM
Marte Cliff
Marte Cliff Copywriting - Priest River, ID
Your real estate writer

Leave it how you found it - AND read the showing instructions.

May 25, 2011 12:57 PM
Michael J. Gallo
Florida Luxury Realty - New Port Richey, FL
Florida Luxury Realty - Gulf Home Sales Team

I enter and exit my home the same way unless I am walking Toto.  Read those showing instructions.  One suggestion for homeowners would be to have all the exterior locks in the house "keyed alike" one key will open many doors.  I suggest this at closings since most buyers will be changing locks on doors. 

May 26, 2011 04:26 AM
Sandy Acevedo
951-290-8588 - Chino Hills, CA
RE/MAX Masters, Inland Empire Homes for Sale

Like you, I also leave it as I found it. But sometimes I forget, of course because I am so caught up with the beauty of the home....  So then ~ what to do? I lock it. That will teach the tenant to have another key. Some lessons in life are tough...lol

May 26, 2011 05:58 AM