After reading Scott Fogleman's post on When did it become ok to give buyers keys before closing? I started boiling inside thinking about the speaker in the Sentrilock class at our GMM (Honolulu Board of Realtors General Membership Meeting) meeting a couple weeks ago.
The panel gave their feedback on why the Sentrilock Electronic Lockbox was a plus for our listings. This speaker gave an example of how he had regular Masterlock lockbox on the door and one day he went to check on it and the combination had been changed!
Gasps! You could hear the majority of the class commence whispering!
Why so surprised? I think the majority of us weren't surprised and had many situations arise with regular lockboxes but none of them more famous than an agent giving their buyer the combo because they were too ‘busy' (I say lazy) to accompany their client on the showing appointment.
A few years ago, I found out a buyer had gone in to view a listing of mine without his agent ...
because the buyer picked up one of my cards and called me for additional information!
Oahu Real Estate agents and our Honolulu Board of Realtors have been trying to incorporate widespread use of the Sentrilock electronic lockbox and many agents huff and puff at the additional cost for membership, the lockbox and a slight inconvenience to renew their cards.
How can these minor inconveniences and costs not be worth the safety of the seller's home?
As soon as the Sentrilock lockboxes arrived a couple years ago many of us in our office bought into it. THE BIGGEST REASON WAS SAFETY FOR OUR CLIENTS! The next was because we'd all had instances where agents had given their client the combination number and did not accompany their client.
We now have mandatory Honolulu Board of Realtors "Smartcards" so every agent will use them for entry to a listing with their client....although there are many who still call for a one day code because they did not renew their card at the office.
THEY SELL THE Card Reader for a whopping TEN DOLLARS!
Any more excuses not to use the Sentrilock Electronic Lockbox and the system?
The safety and protection of our seller's homes are top priority.
What else need I say?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Celeste "Sally" Cheeseman is a Realtor-Associate with Century 21 Liberty Homes in Mililani, Hawaii. With a sharp understanding that a listening ear is the key to a client's needs she serves the island of Oahu (Honolulu County) and all Hawaii Military Relocating to Hawaii, Hawaii Retirees, Hawaii Job Transfers and Hawaii Residents.
Celeste "Sally" Cheeseman is a Realtor-Associate® and Certified Residential Specialist (CRS) with Century 21 Liberty Homes in Mililani, Hawaii. With a sharp understanding that a listening ear is the key to a client's needs she serves the island of Oahu (Honolulu County) and all Hawaii Military Relocations, Hawaii Retirees, Hawaii Job Transfers and Hawaii Residents, Home Buyers and Sellers.
© 2007-2012 Celeste "Sally" Cheeseman's Hawaii Real Estate and Relocation Blog.
All rights reserved.
Hello Sally and giving keys to buyers before closing in a No-No and what I hate the most about the market in Las Vegas is that around 50% of the lock-boxes on homes is Vegas are manual ... Ouch!!!
Vegas Bob ...;)
Love the post
Sentrilock has a very good product and system overall. Far superior to the GE boxes.
Great post! In the city of Chicago, most are condo's so we cannot use lockboxes...wish we could! :) Agents usually have to accompany their client's!
Thanks Robert...great feedback because it's true! It would be nice if it were mandatory ...but the next best thing was the cards....and they still ask for one day codes!
Robert: Yes indeed...we were actually in the class because they incorported a feedback form...pretty cool!
Britta: Do they pick up the key from you or you are there to let them in?
Sentrylock has a great mobile app to keep track of activity and other things while on the go as well. Never use combo lockbox for their lack of security.
We have the sentri lock system in place here as well. What is nice is even if you didn't renew your card in your reader, you can call so many times a month and update your card. One thing to be careful with though, the batteries die quickly... so, make it a habit when the light starts flashing when you are on showings, indicating that the battery is getting low, to call the agent and let them know... and hope that those who show your properties do the same...
Sally--we have heard all the excuses in Erie, PA. I hope for everyone's sake that we eventually adopt Sentrilock. Since we did not have them I advised agents to change the combo frequently. That cut down on the abuse.
Merry Christmas--Mary
You got that right Victor!
Darren: I have mentioned that many a time...I need to get back up batteries before that happens.
Isn't that something Mary? I am trying to promote this more so we can get more to participate. I'll just use it for my marketing ...a plus for me :) :)
We use Sentri Lock and are sent a text the day before expiration. We no longer have access to the one day showing code. I have done a post on these the lockboxes. Safety for our clients comes first!
Margaret
Margaret: We get the same thing...but somehow, someway...they can't seem to get to card reader to renew them.....even when they sell the darn thing for $10 and you can do it at home! I wish that that were the case here...hopefully soon.
I was skeptical when they were introduced, but now I love them. Just as Margaret Rome said, most of the Maryland Board of Realtors, Howard County included, did away with one day codes. No key = no access.