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Keys To My Happiness Making Life Simple

By
Industry Observer CalDRE #01165532

Keys To My Happiness

Making Life Simple

 

We lose keys and we find keys and we get new keys.

We just have to find the ones that unlock the right doors.

Sometimes, we have keys, but we don’t know what door they fit.

That can be the hardest part, putting the right key in the right door.

Dan Groat

 

I like simple.  Straight-forward.  No nonsense.

 

Here’s an experience where simple would have come in handy.

Recently, I was showing a property.  I had previously previewed it during a broker caravan and arrived early in order to turn on some lights and make the home as appealing as possible.   You know...set the stage.   

 

Of course, finding the lockbox was a bit of a treasure hunt with some vague showing instructions.   

 

Eventually, I found the lockbox and inside were five different keys -- yes, five -- for the vacant home.   

 

There were also multiple doors on this property.  And multiple locks.   Let’s just say...I was glad I was early.    

I could find no reason why this process needed to be so difficult.  

 

But I digress.

 

Oh, and none of the keys were labeled.      

 

I went to the front door.  And tried the first key in my hand.  Then number two.   And yes, you guessed it -  number five worked.  

 

The Key To Happiness is Simplicity 

 

It didn’t need to be difficult.  Most things don’t need to be.  

Not keys.  Not locations of lockboxes.  Not showing instructions.

 

I like simple.  I think most people do.   And that’s not a mystery.

 

Image Number 1:  © Can Stock Photo / selensergen 

Image Number 2: © Can Stock Photo / bruno1998

  

Published:   September 16, 2017

 

Keys To My Happiness

Making Life Simple

 

Posted by

Michael Jacobs

 

CalBRE # 01165532

P. O. Box 587

Pasadena, CA 91102

Call/Text:  818.516.4393

mtj916@gmail.com

 

 

Sharon Lee
Sharon Lee's Virtual Assistance - Jonesborough, TN
Retired and loving life

Simple is definitely the best.

Sep 16, 2017 09:07 AM
Debe Maxwell, CRS
Savvy + Company (704) 491-3310 - Charlotte, NC
The RIGHT CHARLOTTE REALTOR!

I've never understood when sellers don't understand this either, Michael! Having a locksmith re-key so there is only one key for the agents to deal with!

Then again, it begs the question - did the agent even recommend that? In this case, the agent put unlabeled keys in the lockbox so, I'm betting it was the agent's issue on this one - not the sellers!

Happy Saturday, Michael!

Sep 16, 2017 10:45 AM
Chris Ann Cleland
Long and Foster Real Estate - Gainesville, VA
Associate Broker, Bristow, VA

Keeping it simple is the way to go.  An owner doesn't want their dead bolt locked that is accessed with a different key?  Give me only the key to the front door.  And for agents, assume the key you have is the only way into the home through the door you entered.  Keep it ON you and do not lock yourself out on things like balconies, where getting to the front is impossible.

Sep 16, 2017 11:27 AM
Hannah Williams
HomeStarr Realty - Philadelphia, PA
Expertise NE Philadelphia & Bucks 215-820-3376

Oh Boy I just don't get it Michael Jacobs  This is our job isn't it . Why is it so hard to be considerate to our fellow agents .  As you said lock boxes should not be hard to find and keys should be easy to put in a lock and turn the key to open the door  

Sep 16, 2017 12:13 PM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Home Stager/Redesign

Michael- My life is designed for "simple."  It doesn't always work (like last weekend) but keeping it simple makes it easier to face the non-simple times. 

Sep 16, 2017 01:08 PM
Dorie Dillard Austin TX
Coldwell Banker Realty ~ 512.750.6899 - Austin, TX
NW Austin ~ Canyon Creek and Spicewood/Balcones

Good afternoon Michael Jacobs ,

I like things simple, direct and straight forward. No drama please or nonsense! 5 keys for one vacant house is insane! Glad you went early and sorted it all out before your clients came. I hope they liked it after all your efforts. They did didn't they? 

Sep 16, 2017 03:28 PM
Ron and Alexandra Seigel
Napa Consultants - Carpinteria, CA
Luxury Real Estate Branding, Marketing & Strategy

Michael,

Love your pearls of wisdom, and these posts are a delight every time you post them.  A

Sep 16, 2017 04:18 PM
Donna Foerster
HomeSmart Realty Group - Parker, CO
Metro Denver Real Estate Assistant

Simple works for me too Michael Jacobs ! I can't believe the agent didn't at least label the keys.

Sep 16, 2017 06:35 PM
Myrl Jeffcoat
Sacramento, CA
Greater Sacramento Realtor - Retired

Michael - You and I are on the same wave-length when it comes to living life simply.  It all came to me during a visit in 2008 with the Amish in Lancaster, PA.

Sep 16, 2017 09:16 PM
Gabe Sanders
Real Estate of Florida specializing in Martin County Residential Homes, Condos and Land Sales - Stuart, FL
Stuart Florida Real Estate

I've been there and done that, Michael.  I also strive to keep life simple, but some days it seems to be a losing proposition.

Sep 17, 2017 05:42 AM
Carla Freund
Keller Williams Preferred Realty - Raleigh, NC
NC Real Estate Transition & Relocation 919-602-848

Michael, sometimes you just have to laugh it off. Sounds like you had one of those moments.

Sep 17, 2017 07:21 AM
Sheri Sperry - MCNE®
Coldwell Banker Realty - Sedona, AZ
(928) 274-7355 ~ YOUR Solutions REALTOR®

Good Sunday Morning Michael, 

All I can say is WOW! You have to wonder if any agent gives up and doesn't bother showing the house!  I have had 2 keys many times for a top and bottom lock or a security door. Searching for lock boxes drives me crAZy!

Sep 17, 2017 08:07 AM
Kathleen Daniels, Probate & Trust Specialist
KD Realty - 408.972.1822 - San Jose, CA
Probate Real Estate Services

Michael,  The real issue is not the keys.  I know you know that. The real issues is the lazy and unprofessional agent who does not give a rats bottom about how ridiculous they make things for others. I like simple too. I also like kindness and consideration for others. But I digress.

Enjoy this blessed and beautiful day. 

Sep 17, 2017 08:12 AM
Dick Greenberg
New Paradigm Partners LLC - Fort Collins, CO
Northern Colorado Residential Real Estate

Hi Michael - It's an inevitable and unbreakable law of the universe that it's always going to be the 5th key. A thank you is due to the listing agent for the opportunity to confirm that.

Sep 17, 2017 01:33 PM
Gita Bantwal
RE/MAX Centre Realtors - Warwick, PA
REALTOR,ABR,CRS,SRES,GRI - Bucks County & Philadel

I agree most people like simple things. If the agent had just labeled the keys it would have made it simple for all agents who showed the house. 

Sep 18, 2017 03:16 AM
Sharon Tara
Sharon Tara Transformations - Portsmouth, NH
Retired New Hampshire Home Stager

Come on. 

What is wrong with people?

No need to make it that involved. No need at all!

Sep 18, 2017 06:07 AM
1~Judi Barrett
Integrity Real Estate Services 116 SE AVE N, Idabel, OK 74745 - Idabel, OK
BS Ed, Integrity Real Estate Services -IDABEL OK

Give me a no-nonsense, logical, truthful, straight forward way of life.... makes me happy.  It's not supposed to be unnecessarily complicated or confusing.

Sep 20, 2017 06:27 PM
Corey Martin
Martin Presence Group - Ruston, LA
Real Estate and Management Solutions

I completely agree! Simple makes things so much nicer and so much easier. Thanks for sharing.

Oct 16, 2017 06:04 AM
Joan Cox
House to Home, Inc. - Denver Real Estate - 720-231-6373 - Denver, CO
Denver Real Estate - Selling One Home at a Time

Michael, why do they make it so difficult.  How hard is it to call a locksmith and have all the locks changed to ONE key.   Simple.....

Mar 08, 2018 06:34 AM
Joan Cox
House to Home, Inc. - Denver Real Estate - 720-231-6373 - Denver, CO
Denver Real Estate - Selling One Home at a Time

Michael, have to agree!   I suggest to a Seller to have ONE key, because it is ALWAYS the last key you try that works.

Oct 18, 2018 07:16 AM