What's worse than a combination lockbox?

The lockbox revolutionized the real estate industry. Instead of driving around to real estate offices to collect keys to show listings, they can just access the key from the lockbox, usually hanging on the door knob of the listing.

There are three types of lockboxes in the Omaha area: The combination lockbox, the basic electronic lockbox and the upgraded infrared lockbox.

Several years ago, the Omaha MLS switched from a mechanical lockbox system where every member agent had an identical key. The new system featured an electronic lockbox that could only be accessed by a special pager sized device with an agent specific code.

Since the electronic lockbox rollout, an upgraded lockbox has been added to the system. This lockbox has an infrared eye that can read the beamed code from a Realtor's smart phone or be accessed the conventional method where the agent's device physically docks to the lockbox.

The combination lockbox works in a similar fashion, except to gain access to the key, a code must be manually entered via a dial or push buttons. The benefit of this type of lock box is that anyone with the code can enter the home. While perfect for contractors who need to get access to the house, it does not have any way of monitoring who goes in and when. Also, BEWARE some agents are not very creative with their code. 1-2-3-4 is an unbelievable popular combination!

Both combination and electronic lockboxes are great in facilitating the showing of properties, but there is one lockbox to look out for. If your house is for sale and you have a big beige lockbox on your door, BEWARE!

Everyday more and more agents are switching to the key operating on software on their smart phone. These tend to be the more active agents. NONE of these agents will be able to access your home because the beige lockboxes don't have the IR capability. How frustrating is it for you when you have a hot buyer on your front porch that can't come inside because your listing agent put up the dinosaur of all lockboxes?