I think they just did it because it may have been easier to park in this section, but it's really quite stupid. There are also many other things that an active agent should have counseled this homeowner on - things that are easy and free to do. It looks to me that the agent is just disengaged and doesn't care...and the homeowner couldn't even remember the agent's name. Not a good sign.
I don't have a 100% rule about where the lockbox goes. Sometimes I have it in the back, as that is where I want the prospective buyer to go first. It all depends on where I want the first impression and the last.
Debbie: Like Joe, when I have a choice I put it at the entrance that will show the home in its best light.
Sometimes the sellers don't want the lockbox on the front door but the back door is certainly not the best place.
You can always get the key from any location and always use the front door to begin the showing of the home if you are a seasoned agent.
great post...
Some people just think differently and it makes you scratch your head. Someone thought this a good idea.
Deb, some homeowners don't want the lockbox on the front door...if it is a smart Realtor..they will take the key out and ALWAYS enter from the front door...now that is a lot being said...
Good morning Debbie. Some people, agents included, are just clueless. Your observations were on the money. When the client didn't want to talk about it that said it all.
Joe - Yes, I can understand that...but in this case it's a terrible first impression vs. a potentially great first impression.
Anita - Yes, that makes perfect sense; this choice however made no sense to me.
Richard -Good point. The homeowner did not know the combo (she couldn't remember it...otherwise she would have changed it right there). Oh and good point about a good buyer's agent. If they had already previewed the home they would know this, but many either may not realize and/or not want to make the extra trip around the house to the main entrance.
John - I know...that's what made we wonder. This made no sense to the homeowner either once I brought it to her attention.
Debbie, I agree with Ginny's comment. The listing agnet should alert the showing agent to use the front door.
Ginny - Yes, it is asking a lot. BTW, in this case the homeowner had not been consulted...and when I mentioned it, she said, "you're right...I'm going to call the agent. It certainly wasn't requested by the homeowner.
Sheila - Yes, it really does...there clearly is not a good relationship here and at some point she will probably make a change.
Gita - Yes, that's a good point. As I'm not an agent, I have no access to the MLS, so I don't know the showing instructions. But, still, it's a very easy change to make.
"What on earth was the agent thinking?" Clearly, they weren't thinking at all Debbie. Makes you wonder sometimes! Congratulations on the Feature.
Sometimes the lack of common sense is amazing...duh duh....first is best !
Kathy - Yes, they should...and maybe they have. I don't have access to the MLS.
Sally & David - Yes, it is no contest which makes the better impression, esp in this case.
Sometimes the front door is not structured so you can attach a lockbox. However, you can use a bike lock to attach the lockbox to a railing nearby, or a number of other things. SOmetimes people just pick the easiest, not the best, route.
Kathryn - Oh interesting point. I hadn't thought of that. And, good solution if this is in fact the barrier.
Sounds like selling this home isn't a priority to either the seller or the Realtor involved. Sad story that just doesn't make sense.
The Christiansen Team - great insight. I completely agree - it appears to be an issue on both sides. The good news is that if she does the carpet, she will be motivated to clean out that room. There are a lot of storage items there (and ones they intend to toss) and I'm hoping this motivates them to get rid of some of the other items. I think it's a bit challenging given that they live in the City. But, it needs to be done.
Debbie, Like Kathryn, We keep a couple of bike cables for when the front door handle won't work and attach it to a light fixture, railing, etc. Getting that right first impression is critical. Doesn't take much at all to throw the buyer off liking a home.
Believe it or not, sometimes the owner dictates where the lockbox goes - against the agent's advice. I'm just guessing that's what happened here, although the owner will never admit it.
yes the simplest solutions are often the best.. same thing when I showed a house yesterday, beautiful front door.. lock box on the laundry room door!
Bliz - Smart thinking and perhaps that is the barrier here.
Margaret - It doesn't seem that way...when I mentioned it, her reaction was "I never thought about that." I just think she has been very uninvolved in the process esp as she is out of town.
Mark - Yes, I guess it's Occom's Razor. Funny that you saw the same thing.
Debbie, since the home was on the market for three years, there must be other issues. Going to the back door shouldn't be one of them.
Good morning Debbie - If a seller really wants to sell their home, they'll make sure it shows well. This isn't a very motivated seller, obviously, and the amount of time it's been on the market doesn't surprise me.
My thoughts were that they may not want to let anyone know its for sale or attract burglars?
Michael - Yes, there are some other issues (and not sure if price is one of them), but it looks like a good home and great school district. There are some things that can easily be changed and this is one of them. She can make several changes that will have big visual impact and will either be free or not cost much at all.
Wayne & Jean - Yes, I think that may be true/may have been true. I'm hoping this is the impetus to make some changes. And, yes, I think the length of time is indicative of an issue (and it may be as simple as not motivated/too busy to be engaged).
Good post Debbie, When they don't want it on the front door I put it on a railing, patio furniture or even the gas meter. There is nothing that says it has to be on a door.
Richie - I don't htink that's the case since there are realtor signs all over the place...at least 2 of them.
Wayne - Oh that's a good idea, too. I'll have to follow up w/ this customer to understand the outcome.
What's logical and makes sense to you or me is often not the same to others. Like Wayne stated above, I've seen them all over the house - utility sheds, water meters, etc.
It does kind of sound like neither the listing agent nor the home owner have been very motivated, but I'm just making assumtions. :)
I have had clients that did not want the lockbox hanging on the front door (honestly, sometimes the lockbox can leave scratch marks if it gets moved around too much!!!) and I have hung the box where they wanted, within reason. However, I tell the sellers that I am going to instruct a buyer's agent to enter through the door that gives the best first impression of the house.
Debbie,
Good for you! It's just not smart business and when this is not even the business you are in and you know this, SHAME on the agent.
Now, having said this, I've had owners who couldn't find their keys to the front door. It's just something that needs to be solved. It's important to make the best impression and it's critical to start in the home where that can happen.
All the best, Michelle
PS - It's also important that the key works easily and the door is well oiled, etc. Few folks actually use this formal enterance nearly as often in their day to day lives.
Three years on the market? I doubt the biggest problem is the entry through the back door... But it certainly wouldn't hurt to improve the first impression...
Lock boxes not only belong closest to the main entrance - which is almost always the best view walking it but they also should be put where us agents can reach them in high heels. As for this home....3 years is a long time on the market. Mabye they'll finally get it right this time around.
It really is that first impression that counts, I agree if you want the buyers to come through the front door make evey effort to have that happen, remarks key-box placement, or label the key. Good stuff.
Debbie ~ I found a similar situation recently, where the homeowners contacted me to request a staging consultation, since they'd had no offers on their home after months on the market. One of the first things I noticed is that the lockbox is not at the front door! The way their agent had it set up, you walked past the front door and around to a side door to immediately face a looming, unattractive stairway - seriously? The sellers said "well our agent just put the lockbox there ... we didn't think to ask him to change it." Yet just a few yards away is the nicest entrance! Naturally, that's the first thing we changed.
Hi Debbie, I'm thinking his office has a policy to place the lockbox out of sight from the road for security reasons !
Stephen - Yes, I guess things are all over the board at times.
Lisa - Yes, it seems to me that way too...but it wasn't my place to pry. What you're saying makes sense. Based on my conversation w/ the homeowner, it doesn't even sound like this was discussed.
Michelle - Yes, there are a lot of things that I think the agent should have counseled her on...a whole bunch of easy things she can do. I did actually see the listing on lline and some of the pictures look good/better than how things are arranged now but still there is a lot of stuff that should have been moved and/or removed. I don't know the agent nor do I know the conversations that took place. I was just writing a quick post about something I saw that seemed odd. Oh, and excellent points that I would not have thought of.
Tim - LOL. Obviously, this is not the big issue nor is entrance/arranging showings. There may likely be a price issue. It's just that this is one (of several) contributing factors) that is lowering the value of this home in the buyer's eyes.
Anna - Yes, agreed and 3 yrs is a long time, and I think it's been more than 1 agent...maybe 3. That also leads me to believe that price may be part of it. But, I'm not an agent, I don't know the market/comparables.
Adrian - Yes, they really should shift it, and it sounds like they will.
Maureen - that is so funny. And, I will say that in this case, it makes a huge difference in impression. I arrived before the homeowner and originally knocked on this door...and then went to the front with her. What an amazing difference.
Bill - It's off the road...you can't see it from the road. You can see a real estate sign from the road and by the house. the lockbox in either location is equally visible/or non visible (whichever way you want to look at it.
Amazing how such a simple suggestion could make such a huge different! Good call!! I wonder how many other seemingly simple issues could help move this house off the market as SOLD!?
Debbie- One of two things happened. The owner doesn't have a key to the front door or the lock or door has an issue that needs repair. The seller needs to fix whatever the problem is now and create the best first impression.
Bummer - it makes me sad to read about agents who don't shine for their clients. Wow...sounds like there are several challenges to overcome before this one will sell. Good advice from you as usual - and another star! D
I stress it to the homeowner that impression is everything. You don't get a second chance.
Debbie~ You would think that the agent, or the seller would have said, "oh, bad idea". Strange!
Probably on the back door so as to not scream to thieves/vagrants from the front door/street that the property is vacant. If that's the case, I think this is a smart agent.
Just because the lockbox is on the back door, does not mean you cannot enter the property from the front!
Hopefully, the MLS instructions and/or conversations with buyer agents advise buyer agents to arrive early to retrieve the key from the back door and then proceed to enter the property from the front, or have the buyers wait at the front door while the agent goes around back to get the key to the front door, or have the agent enter the back and let the clients in the front door, opening the door and saying "welcome"!! There are many ways to handle this situation, other than dragging the clients through the back!!
First impressions are SO important. I find it hard to believe that one of the agents in 3 years didn't figure it out. Perhaps the seller insisted on it to prevent wear and tear on the floors?
Brenda - Thx so much. Actually, there are several free things she can do...just by reducing the amount of items out there, especially on the porch and there are a few taste specific items which should go. All free things to do.
Debbie - There is no issue w/ the front door...the homeowner let me in that way. She couldn't remember the code for the lockbox...otherwise, she would have changed it right there.
Debb- Thx so much. And, yes, it makes me sad because I don't think she is in the best hands. I think she knows this (having nothing to do w/ my comment).
When at all possible, I try to show the property in the best light and if the key will open the front door, but it's on the back door -- I'll go to the front door and try it out. I agree with you Debbie. The first views should be the best. I've I'm going on a blind date I'd better not show up with my hair in rollers and no make up. ;-)
The first entrance should be the BEST entrance-period the end. You don't get a second chance to make a first impression.
Debbie --- it may seem silly but lockbox placement is an important part of marketing a home. Afterall, the showing agent will be trying to find it, open it and all the while the potential buyers are checking out the property -- even if you can use the front door --- what a waste of time! Make it easy and put your best foot forward -- if access to the house is through the side/back door because of a security issue make sure that the house really shines at this point entry.
Debbie- Thanks for the explanation. There obviuosly is no excuse for the owner or agent but laziness.
I hope she says YES to the carpet too. It saddens me when I hear stories like that showing an agents inability to truely represent a clients best interests.
Robert - Yes, it that is so true.
Donna - Yes, I thought it was strange too.
Aimee - Yes, I would hope the instructions said that, but I don't have access. In this case it can't be on the back to prevent thieves from seeing it...neither the front nor back are visible from the road (and regardless there is a for sale sign on the road. The front/back are actually on the side of the driveway and the view to the lockbox on either side are equally visible (or non visible).
All - I also just realized since this house has been on the market for 3 yrs...that means 3 winters...and there is no way when there is snow out that people are going around the house in the cold and snow. (They may not even in the rain).
Jayne - I know, it sounds weird. In speaking to the homeowner, it sounds like it never even came up in conversation.
Erica - Yes, it seems like that would make the most sense.
Carla - Yes, exactly, the best impression first. Great analogy.
Joanna - Yes exactly.
Michael - Excellent point, she really does need to clear out the area there.
Debbie - YOu're welcome. Thx for stopping back. I really hope I can land this job so that I can see the outcome on all of this. I am really curious.
Hi Debbie - It seems to make no sense, but sometimes it is the seller who is paranoid about having a lockbox hanging in plain sight on the door of a home that is vacant. Much better to hang it on the gas meter or hose bib where it is less obvious than the front door, but still easy to find and encourages entry through the front door.
Debbie when I see the question "What was the Agent thinking?" The answer always seems to be simple the same "They were not" :) :) :)
Susan - I'm not sure...you may be right, but it didn't sound like the agent/owner even had a conversation about it.
George - LOL...that's probably true, regardless of profession.
Debbie, that is a very weird situation... I wonder if the homeowner wanted it there so as not to arouse suspicion that the home might be vacant. Sometimes that is the case.
Gary - I'm not sure...and I'm not sure it was really discussed.
Christine - Yes, I can see there are many issues. This is just one of them (and easy to solve).
Oh my ==this brought memories of a house I showed last year were we entered through the garage.. It smelled like someone died! I didn't even get to open the door to the home.. my buyer ran out asap... I called the listing agent and she was clueless... and insisted there was no problem..
Very illogical. The owner probably dictated it, or, the front door configuration may not have accommodated it.
I agree that the Front Door is the ideal place, and probably the place we agents would look first. But I guess we have to assume they had a (good?) reason to place the lockbox on the rear door. When out showing a home to buyers I would be happy to find the lockbox on either door. The real problem comes when it is somwhere hard to find and the listing agent did not give a heads up.
Debbie:
I agree that the agent was not using good judgment. Some sellers don't want the lock box on the front door, but since it is a second home the agent was the one who elected to put the lockbox on the back door.
Being on and off the market for such a long time tells me that the placement of the lockbox is not what is keeping the house from selling. Interesting choice though...I wonder if the key does not work in the lock on the front door very well? I would have the seller try the key and see if the door maybe needs to be adjusted. Maybe there is a logical explanation.
Hi Debbie, I have had sellers ask me not to place my lock box on the front door, but at least I leave it somewhere near the front door, so that buyers will get a great first impression. Going around the back is not always a good choice, but I can only wander what that agent's reasons were for doing it.
Since the home isn't lived in full-time, maybe the agent was thinking better to have it less visible. I agree with you totally though. I would never put a lockbox on a basement door.
That is weird... I had one once where the neighbor was going to put out the lockbox and all contacts had to be made through her. Unfortunately, the homeowner was in the hospital for a while, and to further complicate matters, it appears that the neighbor was never home. Frustrating as a buyer's agent.
Joan - Oh my, that would be a major turn off...and one you'll never forget.
Dave - It did seem illogical and according to the owner she had not requested it.
Kevin - I'm not sure there was was a logical reason...it is possible, but the agent never explained it to the client. Maybe the parking is a bit easier here, but it doesn't even seem like that would be an issue for the front door. I really am curious to know the reasoning (or if there was any).
Evelyn - Yes the homeowner didn't seem to care.
Karen - Clearly the placement of the lockbox is not the key factor here. but, it is one of several contributing factors and it is not putting this home in the best light so it's just making it even harder to sell.
Jerry - Yes, I am very curious to understand.
Tammie - Yes, it is illogical to me.
Valerie - Thx. Yes, they buyer should see it from the front door first for sure.
Nancy - That is crazy. Now that's a challenge to get in to view that one.
Phil - I don't know. And it is no more/less secure here...each door is equally visible from the main driveway and neither visible from the road.
People have all sorts of reasons for doing things, and sometimes it is hard to understand why something is done. But the first view being hardwood and nice windows seems good to me...