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Do I have to have a lockbox on my home when I'm selling it?

By
Real Estate Broker/Owner with Garrigus Real Estate CalBRE# 01844442/01844441

Do I have to have a lockbox on my home when I'm selling it?

You've decided to sell your home. You may have researched what to do to prepare the home to sell. You've probably made repairs, did maintenance, cleaned it and checked off all the items on your Honey-Do List. You may have even found a real estate agent, broker or real estate company already. But you're concerned about safety.

Just because you have your house on the market to sell doesn't mean you aren't concerned about theft, break-ins or your family's well-being. In fact,  having your home on the market probably concerns you of your household's safety even more so!

Selling your Inland Empire home? We can help.

Let's face it; you have advertised to the world, where scary things happen and bad people dream up all kinds of ways to take advantage, that you intend to allow people you don't even know to come into your home. Heck, you might even plan on putting a sign in the front yard that basically says the same thing!

And now you are supposed to just accept placing a lockbox (with a working key in it!) on your front door? Maybe even one of those cheapo boxes that are easy to break into? Yeah right!!!

You don't have to. There are a couple options, but keep in mind, the more difficult it is to view your home for sale, the less buyers may see it. Here's a few options:

  • Appointment Only: Require all buyers to make an appointment to view the home while you are there. If you do this always require they are accompanied by an agent, either their's or yours.
  • Open House Viewings Only: Ask your listing agent to hold chaperoned open houses periodically. This cuts down on appointments but it does raise other security issues because more than one person or group could be in your house at once. Always require your agent or one of their trusted colleagues you've vetted out to be present.
  • Move Out First: This can be the safest ways to sell a house, but still insist on an agent being present with a buyer at all times. Appliances and other items like hot water heaters, stoves and even toilets, fixtures and air conditioners can still go missing!

Here's a couple other tips:

  • If you are going to use a lockbox, insist on your agent using a industry produced box. There are lockboxes like Sentrilock boxes or Supra E-key boxes that use codes that change every day or special Realtor assigned keys to get in, and most of these boxes are expensive and can take a beating.
  • Don't ever let anyone come up to your door and knock, just to let them in. That is a home invasion waiting to happen!

With the right precautions selling your home can be a safe endeavor, but just like anything else you must plan beforehand. Take care and good luck on a successful sale!

-Todd J Garrigus 

Posted by

Todd & Devona Garrigus

Broker / REALTORS®

951.490.3698 | Direct for Todd
951.490.3683 | Direct for Devona

www.GarrigusRealEstate.com
CalBRE# 01844442/01844441

Comments (5)

Donna Foerster
HomeSmart Realty Group - Parker, CO
Metro Denver Real Estate Assistant

Todd, great safety information and options for consumers considering the sale of their home.

Oct 18, 2016 01:16 AM
Todd & Devona Garrigus
Garrigus Real Estate - Beaumont, CA
Broker / REALTORS®

Donna Foerster Thanks! Its something all of us need to consider and share, for sure!

Oct 18, 2016 01:29 AM
Jeff Dowler, CRS
eXp Realty of California, Inc. - Carlsbad, CA
The Southern California Relocation Dude

Todd and Davona

There are definite precautions homeowners can and should take when selling and you've outlined them well. Every now and then a seller will resist the idea of a lockbox but once they understand how they work and the value of using them it's rarely a problem. Sentrilock boxes are used here in our MLS for the most part.

Jeff

Oct 18, 2016 01:33 AM
Todd & Devona Garrigus

Jeff Dowler yeah we come across Sentrilocks in other associations but our is mainly on Supras. Expensive but one of the more secure boxes.


-Todd J Garrigus 

Oct 18, 2016 01:50 AM
Debe Maxwell, CRS
Savvy + Company (704) 491-3310 - Charlotte, NC
The RIGHT CHARLOTTE REALTOR!

I like that lockboxes w/Supra keys provide a log of who has shown the home and also how convenient it is for agents who want to show the home. The log provides accountability; I know who was there last if something is missing or broken. The Supra key provides convenience; I don't have to worry if I miss a call because a Realtor needs a combo code, etc.

Oct 18, 2016 04:37 AM
Todd & Devona Garrigus

Those are very good points Debe Maxwell Especially the log.


-Todd J Garrigus 

Oct 18, 2016 04:57 AM
Robert Vegas Bob Swetz
Las Vegas, NV

Hello Todd & Devona

Some great information on your post and featured to the group:

All Real Estate - Today and Tomorrow

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Oct 30, 2016 01:21 PM
Todd & Devona Garrigus

Thank you, Robert Vegas Bob Swetz !

Oct 31, 2016 04:29 PM