We highly recommend lockboxes because we know how effective they are at making homes sell faster through the MLS. The numeric “old school” lockbox is optional but highly recommended, highly secure, keeps the seller in control and the property secure. These lockboxes remain popular today because of the high degree of control, flexibility, and security they give to the sellers while they avoid the problems of incompatibility and inflexibility that plague many newer style lockboxes.
The lockbox can hold up to 5-6 keys, is rust resistant, and includes a one year manufacturers limited warranty.
Key Lockboxes are optional but highly recommended. Any MLS listing in the MLS, no matter what company listed it, will see fewer showings without a lockbox. Agents are reluctant to show homes without lockbox access because they know that no lockbox makes it much less likely the buyer will buy the home. The key lockbox enables the environment most likely to result in an offer: the buyer and their agent walking through the property undistracted and unhurried. The buyers don’t feel like they are imposing upon the sellers time. They can freely talk about what they like and dislike with their spouse/friend and agent. The agent can respond to that feedback without fear of offending the seller or starting an argument. The buyer is comfortable, doesn’t feel like someone is waiting to get their house back, and can freely imagine living in the home. They haven’t been distracted by meeting a stranger, wondering if they should make small talk with the seller, or been bowled over with a sales pitch from a stranger (the seller). The buyer is undistracted and can more easily the home being their own, without any reminder that they are imposing on someone else’s time and property. The agent can focus on selling the home.
The seller approves every showing and the home remains secure. You approve and confirm each showing. No one has your lockbox combination unless you give it to them. We show you the real estate industry procedures for using a key lockbox that have been in place for 30+ years. These procedures are time-tested and are the reason that problems with key lockboxes are virtually unheard of. If you prefer that agents be able to show the home without contacting you there are often options that allow this to occur. Sellers can also change the combination to their lockbox in less than a minute if they wish. Some sellers change their lockbox combination frequently for greater security, even though incidents are virtually unheard of. The lockboxes are built like padlocks and are extremely tough (stronger than most doors).
Savvy sellers use key lockboxes even if they could be home for the showing. The home is more likely to sell if you are not there when the agent shows the home to the buyer. If the buyer sees you, even as you are leaving, they instinctively hurry through the home. There is nothing you can do or say to keep them from this behavior. Take the children and/or pets for a walk, to the mall, or a park. This may seem inconvenient, but it maximizes the opportunity to get an offer. If you insist upon being there, realize that this is less than ideal. This is not advice specifically for our customers, it applies to anyone selling their home through the MLS. We still suggest you have a lockbox so that if a showing happens to be requested when you won’t be at home, you don’t need to be there.
Do combination lockboxes need to be returned when the property is sold? No, the combination lockbox is yours to keep, and useful as a homeowner-see below.
Don’t need a lockbox?
Perhaps you are under the mistaken impression that lockboxes are to be used only for the convenience of the seller? Lockboxes are essential to selling when your home is in MLS. The lockbox enables the agent to show the home in the ideal selling environment without the seller present. Study after study shows that buyers are more likely to buy the home if they visit the property with their agent and do not see the seller. When the buyer does not see the seller, they tend to spend more time inside the home (which makes them more likely to buy). The buyer can more easily visualize the home being their own. Most importantly, two highly negative factors that hurt the chances that the buyer will buy are eliminated when a lockbox is used:
- The buyer is distracted by the seller–should they make small talk, compliment the seller, just ignore them? These thoughts are distracting the buyer from thinking about the house, reducing the chance they will buy.
- The buyer is reminded that they are imposing on the sellers time and personal space. When buyers see the seller this reminder makes them hurry through the home.
- Seeing the seller is a reminder that they are in a strangers house where they do not belong. They naturally feel less comfortable which makes them less likely to buy. Some home sellers think that they can simply open the door, tell the buyer “take their time” or say something else that will eliminate the distraction to the buyer. Some think that if they tell the buyer they are leaving, taking a walk, etc. that all of a sudden the buyer will not be distracted or feel uncomfortable. Unfortunately, none of these tactics work, the damage has been done and the home is less likely to sell.
- Some sellers are under the mistaken impression that since they know the home best, they are the best choice to show the buyer the home’s qualities. For 99% of buyers, this is simply not true and the sellers are a nuisance that hurt the chances of a sale. Buyers prefer to look at and evaluate a home at their own pace. The agent can then focus on the buyer and their likes and dislikes, rather than have the seller talk about what the seller likes (which is rarely the same as the buyer). Sellers who insist on “showing” their own home often motivate the buyers to leave quickly rather than hearing a seller talk about and show the features the seller thinks are important.
- After School Access for Children-don’t worry about children losing their key.
- Easy Access for Friends and Family-enable family/friends to water the plants, check your house, etc. with a phone call.
- Maintenance People and Cleaning Personnel-combination is easy to change.
- Emergency Access for the Elderly-vision impaired people can use this key lockbox.
- Great for Joggers and Outdoor Sports-you don’t need to carry your keys around anymore.
- Recreational Vehicles, Boats, and Boat Lockers -now you don’t have to remember those keys.
- Bicycles and Motor Bikes
- Vacation Properties and Rentals
- Real Estate and Property Management
- Construction Sites and Vehicles
- Contractors and Subcontractors
- Better Quality: No plastic buttons or dials subject to weather and wear (planned obsolescence). This key lockbox has an all metal construction with brass dials that are chrome plated. It is made with durability in mind.
- Better Price: This key lockbox sells at around $10 less retail than the competition. Easier to Use: This key lockbox opens up the first time, every time. If you have used the competition’s punch button or locker room dial, you know the importance of opening the first time in front of your clients. “25 left, 14 right…” If you mess up on the dial or the punch button, you have to START OVER! With this “4 dial” lockbox, you never have to start over.
- Easier to Recombinate: With the competition, you need a mechanical degree and a screw driver to change their combination. This key lockbox has a patented change button on the side whereby it only takes seconds and a coin or paperclip to change your combination. Changing the combination on this box is a piece of cake!
- No Front Face to Lose: This key lockbox has a sliding door on the side and no front face that gets lost or falls off the front if someone does not place it on right.
- Reduce Stolen Lock Boxes: The competitor’s lock box has a latch once the face is taken off whereby the shackle can be released and the box taken. This key lockbox has one combination for the shackle and another for the Key Storage, thus reducing the boxes stolen.
- Zero Lock: This key lockbox can be opened in the dark for your late workers. Simply roll the dials up and away from you until the numbers all lock on zero and then count your numbers down from there.
Lockboxes are useful after the home is sold. Never be locked out again!
The key lockboxes have many uses for people with children, elderly family members, recreational items, and much more:
The lock box is so simple to use a child can open it, yet so versatile it will satisfy anyone, from home owners to boat owners, from construction workers to maintenance people. The safest, most convenient key storage lock box on the market. Separate combinations open the shackle and key compartment — and the combinations can be changed in seconds.
Better than other lockboxes.