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Review: Electronic key on a smart phone

By
Real Estate Agent with Treanor Real Estate

I have been pondering getting the eKEY for my phone for 6 months now (that is the main reason why I bought my TREO 755p in the first place).   TREO 755p

I decided to wait until my current electronic key subscription expired and instead of renewing I would get the eKEY for my phone instead.  I also wanted to wait long enough so that anyone with an older electronic box SHOULD have replaced it with the new blue box.

When I picked the key up at my local board (Greater Waterbury) I was informed that I was one of the first people to make the switch.  That kind of made me nervous, it made me think that something was wrong with the eKEY since no one else had gotten one. 

The install was easy.  I have it setup where it renews the code every night so when I wake up its ready to go.  When using it to open a lockbox it couldn't be any easier.  Hit a few buttons, put in your code, hold it near the box, and 5 seconds later its open.  Very similar to the iKEY.

There are a few negatives though.  First, supra charges extra for the convenience of having the program on the TREO ($195 vs. $100 for the regular key).  Then there is always the possibility of not being able to open the older style boxes (which I haven't seen any of in 6+ months). 

Overall I am very happy with my switch over to the eKEY from the iKEY.  I can't tell you how many times I had to drive all the way back home to get my iKEY when i forgot to bring it to a showing.  Well at least from now on I hope I don't forget my cell phone.

Posted by

Jim Treanor Jr.  REALTOR®, Broker Associate, ABR, CDPE, CRS, e-PRO, GRI
Treanor Real Estate

Waterbury/Wolcott, CT Area
203-510-5460 (texting available)

Hartford/New Britain, CT Area
860-810-6210 
 
efax - 860-736-2022

www.JimTreanor.com

email: Jim@JimTreanor.com

Comments (6)

Sharon Fleming
Real Living Realty Unlimited - Port St Lucie, FL
Realtor, Port St Lucie-Florida

I have been contemplating doing that here, we have something similar to it, right now it is the Supra Key and I was wondering if there were any glitches with using your phone, I think I may try it too, my expiration date is up soon.  Easier and the less things I have to keep up with the better!!  Thanks for the post!

Jan 14, 2009 12:19 PM
Amanda Evans
DFW Living - Fort Worth, TX
Real Estate Broker - Fort Worth Texas

FYI Jim, might want to carry your ekey as well just in case you don't have a signal, circuits are busy or some other tech nightmare occurs with your phone. 

Jan 14, 2009 12:21 PM
Jim Treanor
Treanor Real Estate - Southington, CT
CT RE Broker ABR CDPE CRS GRI

Sharon - So far no glitches, but I have only had it for a week or so. 

Amanda - I don't have the old ekay, I had to turn it in when i got the one for my phone.  Well I could have kept it, but I didn't want to pay the $125 for it. 

Jan 14, 2009 12:26 PM
Robert Schwabe
Herron Real Estate - Orange Park, FL
Orange Park Real Estate

Jim - I have the e-key on my phone. I just love it one less thing to carry.

Jan 14, 2009 01:41 PM
William James Walton Sr.
WEICHERT, REALTORS® - Briotti Group - Waterbury, CT
Greater Waterbury Real Estate

Hmmm...curious. I was thinking of getting the eKey for my phone as well, but decided against it at the time because of the price tag. Maybe at some other time. It does sound like it is more convenient, but Amanda brings up a very valid pint about technical glitches with a phone key. It might be worth it to have both, if you can.

Sep 14, 2009 06:23 AM
Dagny Eason
Dagny's Real Estate - Wilton, CT
Fairfield County CT, CDPE Homes For Sale and Condo

I was wondering how that was working with the phones.   I am itching to try it, and would love to see if there is more input around about it.  

Aug 01, 2010 01:30 PM