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Can I borrow your lockbox key?

By Cynthia Larsen

Real Estate Broker/Owner CalBRE# 01433049

December 23, 2011 05:07 AM

"San Franciso broker needs to borrow your lock box key - Monday the 26th. Will pick up and return to your home or office. Thanks."

Well here is a new one on me. A broker from out of my area has publicaly asked, via Trulia, all Sonoma County agents if he can borrow a lockbox key. It seems his key doesn't work on our lockboxes.

ARE YOU KIDDING ME? There are so many reasons why this is so wrong.

My first thought? NO, NO and NO. My second thought? If your lockbox key doesn't work, then why don't you do your buyer a favor and REFER him/her to a local broker who knows the area?

I consulted my MLS rules and regulations to see what the punishment is for those who let a person borrow their lockbox key. OUCH!

15.2 Permitting unauthorized use of keypad; storing access codes with a keypad.

First offense: $1,000
Second offense: Suspension with right to appeal
Third offense: Expulsion with right to appeal

Sorry, Charlie. You couldn't pay me enough to break this rule.

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Dorian Moffat

Halo Group Realty - Allen, TX

No,no and hell no! Why would someone consider this to be acceptable?

Dec 23, 2011 05:08 AM

Cynthia Larsen

Cotati, CA

Independent Broker In Sonoma County, CA

Dorian - LOL, hell no!

Christina - I'll opt to keep my license.

Dec 23, 2011 05:11 AM

Ken Brandon

Coldwell Banker Sea Coast Advantage (Jacksonville, NC) - Jacksonville, NC

Camp Lejeune, Jacksonville, NC

The first offense in our MLS is also a $1,000 fine...as it should be. There must be some reasonable deterrent to this breach of security...and I can't imagine someone asking to use another agent's key. Get a one day code for the lockbox from the listing agent or coordinate for the listing agent or their representative to meet you at the home.

Dec 23, 2011 05:13 AM

Cynthia Larsen

Cotati, CA

Independent Broker In Sonoma County, CA

Just went back to Trulia to check on responses ...

"I am amazed that you would post an invitation to violate MLS rules on a public forum such as this!"

"Will be happy to help your client and show homes, please provide a referral agreement."

"Loaning a Lock-Box key would get an Agent suspended from their MLS. If the deal is important enough, I would suggest becoming a temporary member of that MLS. Do it right, or not at all. Merry Christmas"

LOL!!

Dec 23, 2011 05:13 AM

Cynthia Larsen

Cotati, CA

Independent Broker In Sonoma County, CA

Ken - you are right, there are several ways to show a home without asking an agent to violate rules and jeopardize their livelihood!

Dec 23, 2011 05:14 AM

Donne Knudsen

Los Angeles & Ventura Counties in CA - Simi Valley, CA

CalState Realty Services

Cynthia - So those are the answers the moron agent got from Realtors responding? It's good to see the SF agent being put into place.

Dec 23, 2011 05:15 AM

Cynthia Larsen

Cotati, CA

Independent Broker In Sonoma County, CA

Donne - YES, isn't it great?

Another response ...

"Why not properly represent your client by referring them to a LOCAL agent who knows this market.
I'd be glad to represent your clients and pay you a referral."

Something tells me this guy isn't going to get a key from anyone around here.

Dec 23, 2011 05:16 AM

Roger D. Mucci

Shaken...with a Twist 216.633.2092 - Euclid, OH

Lets shake things up at your home today!

Wouldn't touch that one with a ten foot pole Cynthia...............Merry Christmas!

Dec 23, 2011 05:38 AM

Cynthia Larsen

Cotati, CA

Independent Broker In Sonoma County, CA

Roger ... NO KIDDING ... Merry Christmas to you as well!

Dec 23, 2011 05:49 AM

Chris Ann Cleland

Long and Foster Real Estate - Gainesville, VA

Associate Broker, Bristow, VA

Seriously....I'm with you on the big fat NO and the idea of referring the buyer out to someone familiar with the area.

Dec 23, 2011 07:44 AM

Paul S. Henderson, REALTOR®, CRS

Fathom Realty Washington LLC - Tacoma, WA

South Puget Sound Washington Agent/Broker!

And of course Cynthia, I'll need your pen number and can I barrow your car, please ensure you have gas in it...

Dec 23, 2011 07:45 AM

Cynthia Larsen

Cotati, CA

Independent Broker In Sonoma County, CA

Chris Ann - the guy finally removed his question from Trulia and offered a referral. Smart move.

Paul - Ha ha, can you drive a standard transmission? If you can't you are SOL.

Dec 23, 2011 07:59 AM

Laura Allen, Lake Tahoe - Truckee Real Estate for Sale TahoeLauraRealEstate.com

Coldwell Banker Realty, Tahoe City, CA (530) 414-1260 - Tahoe City, CA

Tahoe Real Estate Agent Helping Buyers and Sellers

Cynthia - The fact that an out-of-area agent would make a public post like this shows they don't understand what it means to be a real estate professional in their own market, let alone in yours. No wonder we have a bad PR image with agents like this. Yikes, run Cynthia, run as fast as you can to get away from this disaster that is just waiting to happen.

Dec 23, 2011 08:01 AM

Cynthia Larsen

Cotati, CA

Independent Broker In Sonoma County, CA

Laura - and this guy is a BROKER. Unbelievable!!

Dec 23, 2011 08:05 AM

Carla Muss-Jacobs, RETIRED

RETIRED / State License is Inactive - Portland, OR

Anyone can and does post crap. How would anyone know that they are really an agent. My guess is that this is a set-up BIG TIME. An agent would truly know better (unless they were totally ignorant). This is really scary in more ways then one.

Dec 23, 2011 09:34 AM

Cynthia Larsen

Cotati, CA

Independent Broker In Sonoma County, CA

Carla - crap is right. I looked this guy up on the San Francisco area MLS, he is an independent broker!! After 5 people letting him know that what he was asking for was wrong, he posted a referral.

Dec 23, 2011 10:32 AM

Cynthia Larsen

Cotati, CA

Independent Broker In Sonoma County, CA

David - nope ... he is an independent broker, doesn't even use a DBA.

Dec 23, 2011 01:13 PM

John M. Scott

BRE # 01442690, Scott Keys Properties - San Francisco, CA

Broker / Owner San Francisco Bay Area

Cynthia, lockbox access is kind of strange here in the bay area. From San Francisco we can access lockboxes in the East Bay and the Peninsula. Truly a large area. But not Bareis or Metrolist. Kind of bizzare when points in marin County are closer to me than many in the east bay or San Jose. Just sayin.

Dec 23, 2011 01:35 PM

Cynthia Larsen

Cotati, CA

Independent Broker In Sonoma County, CA

John - I don't think this broker was aware of what he was asking of the agents here ... it's a serious, serious violation of our MLS. He could easily "co-op" his key with BAREIS for a small fee. But not on the 26th ... offices are closed.

Dec 23, 2011 03:05 PM