How to Use a Realtor Lockboxes

How to Use Realtor Lockboxes

Selling a home is easier with electronic realtor lockboxes.

Using realtor lockboxes can speed the sale of a home by making it easier for prospective buyers to view the house without the homeowner or selling agent present. While lockboxes provide flexibility by enabling easy access to the house for multiple agents, surprise visits are possible, meaning listed homes must always be kept clean and ready for viewing. High-tech lockboxes electronically record each visit, improving security and facilitating follow-up by the seller's agent.

Check the type of lockbox being used on the house and determine if you need a key, card, combination or smart phone technology to open it.

Log onto the Multiple Listing Service (see Resources) to access the appropriate combination or password. The realtor's section of MLS - available only to licensed realtors who have signed up with an MLS service - provides information on the password or combination being used for each particular lockbox. Each area MLS uses different software to manage the program. For example: in SupraWEB the code is located under "Keybox Management."

Protect the safety of your home by hiding the key in a lockbox. My Home for sale image by Primabild from Fotolia.com

Obtain the realtor lockboxes key or access card from your office.

Swipe the card, enter the code or insert the key, depending upon the particular lockbox being used. Card access ports are usually at the bottom while combination buttons tend to be located on the faceplate.

A variety of lockbox models are available in for realtors. combination lock image by Sean Gladwell from Fotolia.com

Slide the faceplate to the side to open the box. Some models open at the top and require you to push up or pull down gently to open the box.

Reach inside to obtain the key or keys to access the home. Make sure to return the keys when you are finished and securely close the lockbox.

For Homeowners: Place the lockbox in a visible spot -- usually your front door -- to help reduce the likelihood of a thief trying to break into it. realtor lockboxes are built securely and can withstand most efforts at tampering. Keeping them visible reduces the amount of time a thief has before being noticed.

For Seller's Agents: Check the logs for electronic entry to determine who is entering your client's home. Most boxes allow you to keep track of who is using the lockbox, enabling you to follow up with agents who have visited to see if their clients have any questions about the home.

How to Open Real Estate Lock Boxes

How to Open a Real Estate Lock Boxes

Home sellers often have their residence equipped with a secure lockbox, a device that attaches to the front doorknob of a home and allows agents access to show the property when the client is not home or unavailable. Lockboxes are hollow metal containers which house another smaller box inside that contains a key to the property. Once the lockbox is opened, the smaller case slides out. Real estate Lockboxes offer a safe alternative to handing out individual keys to agents while the home is on the market.

Obtain the electronic key. Most lockboxes contain a minute microprocessor inside that requires an electronic key code to release the mechanism to open it. Electronic key codes can only be obtained by people who are members of the local Multiple Listing Service, or MLS. This includes real estate agents.

Punch in or dial on the mechanism the correct electronic key code obtained from the MLS. This usually consists of four numbers in a specified sequence.

Release the slide latch in order to free the smaller box from the container. Latches slide either top-to-bottom or visa versa.

Remove the smaller box from the container and access the key compartment. Do not lock the real estate lock boxes back in place until you are ready to leave the premises.

When you are finished in the home, replace the key and lock the real estate lock boxes back up again to reset it. Agents are not allowed to share electronic key sequences with other agents and each agent is assigned their own identifiable code. This helps to identify who is entering the home and records the time and date when they enter and leave.

Advise homeowners to remove extra house keys that may be on hooks in the home or garage when they place their home on the market to be shown to strangers.