Be Sure You Have The Right Key! Two Lessons Learned

Be Sure You Have The Right Key!  Two Lessons Learned

It seems simple, but sometimes the little things we take for granted - we shouldn't!

Lesson #1:  Be Sure You Have The Right Key!

When we listed Mom's condo for sale, we gave the REA the front door key to place in the key box.  The agent locked up and went to take some photos of the tennis court and swimming pool.  As I was running some errands, she called me:

"Julie, I'm locked out of the condo, and my bag is still inside; the key doesn't work!"

So I returned, let her in, and ran out to get copies of the right key made.  While the key we gave her fit, it didn't work - it wasn't the right key.  Lesson:  Always make sure the key works.  Also, make sure the copies all work.

Lesson #2:  The Power of Masking Tape

For doors with two key sets, cover the lock that you don't provide a key for with a strip of masking tape.  This will prevent the wrong key getting stuck.  This is what I found when I met the owner to provide a Staging quote on a vacant house:

Who knows how long that key was stuck there?  The owner couldn't get it out, but fortunately had her own key.  Had the agent been alerted?  The owner didn't know.  No one could get in to show the house.

Make sure your keys work, and cover unused locks.