There are a few different types of boxes that agents will use in Arizona to host keys to a home when your home is listed for sale on the Arizona Regional MLS. The lockboxes might be the mechanical type with a 3, 4 or 6 digit code. But there is only one Arizona Regional MLS (ARMLS) lockbox that is connected to the Supra ActiveKey or Ekey that is used to open that type of box.
There are benefits to using both types of boxes. The mechanical type can be opened by anyone, including painters, handymen, and anyone wishing to enter that the agent and owner give permission. These are convenient when agents can't get to a home in time to open the box or meet the vendor or tradesman working on the home.
Of the three in the photo, the two on the right are both mechanical boxes. The blue larger type is an Arizona Regional MLS lockbox. My mechanical box is shown in the middle and will be removed when I activate this listing. Mechanical boxes can be opened 24 hours a day, a nice benefit if early or late access is needed.
The benefit of an ARMLS lockbox is that the agent has the capability to program the box and know exactly who is accessing the box and when. Showings can also be restricted to certain times of day. A report can be generated of anyone accessing the box, their contact info, and a fairly close time of entry. It's up to the listing agent to program the box to the home's listing on the site.
There are also disadvantages to both boxes. Once someone has the code to a mechanical box, that code can be shared with anyone and there is no computer generated report of who has been in the home. The blue Supra/MLS box may only be accessed by those that have an actual ActiveKey or EKey, so handymen or vendors may not access this type of box unless they pay the annual fees and join the MLS. And the ARMLS box is timed to work only between 8 am and 8 pm.
I'm about to list a home on the Arizona Regional MLS for sale. Currently the box has the mechanical box on the hosebib for all the vendors to use. Once the home is on the MLS, the mechanical box will be removed. There is no need for anyone else, besides an agent, to enter the home until we are under contract .
But there is also an unidentified mechanical box on the hosebib. That box has been there for the three years I've rented this home for the owners. I kept thinking someone would retrieve it, but not happening.
Researching the old listings and I found one from 2006. I've contacted the agent to remove the box. She has not returned my call, so I'll have it removed by a handyman with bolt cutters.
The benefit to using an ARMLS box is that all access is recorded as to who owns them. If this had been an ARMLS box, I'd know in an instant who it belongs to. But in this case, it's finders losers because I don't have the code to open it. It's history by tomorrow!
If you're listing your home for sale, select the box that works for you!
And contact me if you're interested in selling your home. No matter where it's located, I know all the best agents to assist!
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