She Was Just Being Nice

This is a very common occurance in our area BUT our MLS is under 200 people and we all know each other. I would not had the key or leave the door open to someonje I didn't know if they were not obviously an agent (if their vehicle had a full wrap of C21 or they were wearing a Re?Max jacket or something).

Not the way to do it. But so many agents are lax, terrible really. 

     Re-lock that box, so that it will record who was in the house.  Even if it's a non-electronic combo box, put the key in it and lock it.  If something happens to that house, you do NOT want to be in court saying, "I left the lockbox open and I left the door unlocked".

I always put the key back unless it is not electronic and they show me the correct combo

It definitely feels odd but I had good training and I ALWAYS relock it - and explain the reason why to the next set of clients/agents who are always very understanding as well. It definitely is the right AND wise thing to do!

I can recall once when I did that.  The agent I did it for had fallen a few days before and broken her wrist and was struggling that day.  I happily left it open for her and called and let the listing agent know I did and what time I did.  And dang it her clients outbid mine on that house. LOL

We don't have electronic lockboxes here in Lewisburg WV. But we did when I was an agent in Northern VA, and my broker told me never to give the key to the next agent, let them open the house, so there is a record.

Margaret - Yes, she was trying to be nice, but I would never do that. I would make sure to put the key back in the lockbox and have the next agent enter their code to take it out. I just think that would be the best way to protect everyone.

Margaret Rome, Baltimore Maryland I had once 'refused' to give the keys to agent - and that created a big issue for me!

I think I will not be nice if I don't know the agent! Simple! 

 Good morning Margaret. Typically, I will close the lockbox so that the real estate agent will have to use their key to open it. It creates a chain of custody.

I have done that before but only if its a local agent that I know well.

Margaret Rome, Baltimore Maryland We ALWAYS lock the key back in the lockbox, so when opened by the next agent, there then is an electronic record and we are not aiding and abetting a crime.

Good morning Margaret Rome, Baltimore Maryland ,

I always lovk the the home and put the key back in the lockbox even if the agent is standing waiting to show the home. It's the right thing to do for all parties concerned.

I have been nice like this in the past, but then I always worry about whether or not I will be on the hook for something that someone else did.  My standard operating procedure in this situation is to lock up, put the key back in the lockbox and allow the other agent to retrieve it.  If another agent is nice to me like that, I will still run my key, so the listing agent knows that I have also been there.

I have done this if it is an agent I personally know, then text the listing agent to let them know we are finished and who is in the house. Otherwise the key goes back into the electronic box so the listing agent has a good record of who is coming and going.