The alarm system conundrum. To give out the code or not give out the code, that is the question.
I have one opinion on this conundrum, and one opinion only. Do not give out the code. I don't care if you have been an agent forever, if you have a halo, I am not giving you the code! I don't want the code when I show a house, I don't want the responsibility of trying to find the control panel and get the right code in without setting off the alarm. When faced with a house alarm I get all queasy and weak in the knees. I hate them. I don't hate what they do, but I just don't like them.
So, here I sit at a house that I am hoping to list. We are going over the pro's and con's of the home, the home owner beaming, tells me there is a very good alarm system. They are proud of it! It surly will be a great selling feature! My heart sinks... this means I have to learn yet one more alarm system and be there for all showings to open the door for the potential buyer. That is unless of course I find out they might be proud of the system, but they never use it. Or they have other arrangements in mind for showings. But it is my responsibility, together with the home owner, to come up with a plan that does not include giving out any codes to anyone, yet make the home available for showings.
A few days ago I was setting up showings for a buyer. One house had an alarm system, the agent proudly announced that the instructions were in the electronic lock box. (at least it was electronic and not push button or combo.. yikes!) My response to the agent elicited something I was not expecting. I said I would not shut off the alarm, I asked the agent to open the house for me. The agent had no intention of opening the house for us, it was my job to shut off the alarm code at her client's house. We were deadlocked. Who would win? Turns out we declined the showing for other reasons, crisis averted.
NOT in my book. I will not be responsible. I don't make other agents responsible at my listings. My home owners have not been comfortable with this idea either. I can see it now, someone breaks into the house and it will be the last man in that gets blamed. 
Yes indeed, the old alarm system conundrum, it is a thorn in my side for sure. It ranks right up there with those friendly dogs that never bite running around the house, the agent telling you they are friendly as friendly can be. NEXT...
Are you an alarm-a-phobe? Do you give out alarm codes over the phone to get in your listings? Do you place the codes and instructions to disarm in the lock box? As a listing agent, how do you handle this? As a buyers agent, what do you do?
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