Recently, I was out with a client, looking at condos. We were only looking at a few properties and the client had one day to look. I called for appointments ahead of time. One company had to wait to hear back from their owner, to be sure the owner was home to let us in, as there was no lockbox on the property.
Time was of the essence, so, I contacted the listing agent. She said she would see what she could do. She promptly called me back to tell me that the owner had been called out of town, but that the maid was just leaving the property and she would leave the door open for us.
We looked at a couple of units, and headed over to the property...the door was locked.
This is one of the reasons I don't like it when I hear that the door will be left open. Often people don't remember. I contacted the agent. She was gracious, apologized and said that she did not have a key for the property, and there was nothing she could do.
I couldn't help but think of sellers without lockboxes on their homes. They are missing out on opportunities for their property to be properly marketed. Buyers want to look at a property on their schedule, not on the seller's schedule.
We still have an abundant inventory of homes for sale in our area. Competition in our market is tough.
I've had my sellers tell me that they don't want a lockbox on their home. And, I understand there are circumstances that a lockbox won't work for every situation. But, the more easily a buyer can get in to see a property, the more chance it has of selling.
They won't make an offer if they can't see the inside.
And often, buyers are not in a position to reschedule to come back another day. I've had buyers say, 'if I'm making another trip out here tomorrow, it better be worth it.' Sometimes the buyer raises his expectations of the home, because he may feel inconvenienced.
So, to all you serious sellers out there...
...Let's get a lockbox on your home, So we can show it, and Bring you an offer!
Because, if a buyer can't see your home, he can't buy your home!
Sandy Shores REALTOR®, Melbourne/Palm Bay FL Real Estate
Brevard County Real Estate & Investing
I also buy, sell, rent, own and manage Investment Property.
that for you
I'm surprised there are people that don't understand why a lockbox is a good thing, Sandy.
Not having a lockbox on a property doesn't make sense in a market like we have been experiencing.
Sandy, I hope some people from lovely Long Island see this. For some reason they don't want lock boxes making everyone's job more difficult (if not impossible!).
Sandy, I'm not sure why people don't want them- but it does make it very difficult if not almost impossible to show their home and sell it!
I wish we could also take away the restrictive showings aspect. Some people make showing their house so restrictive, that not even the listing agent can't get in...
The way I see it,
Paul
Sandy,
I had one over the weekend that someone borrowed the key from the office and never returned it. So my buyer did not get in and the house might have been the one!!
Sellers need to make it easier on the buyers if they really want to sell.
Ann
One of the things I constantly preach to my sellers is that they must make the property easy to show. Some Realtors will call up in the morning and want to show it in the afternoon. The harder a seller makes the home to show, the less showings and thus the less offers they will get.
Sandy, I couldn't have said it better....lockboxes make all parties lives easier!! Use them!!!
Heather, I think sometimes people just don't realize how important a lockbox can be.
Myrl, In this market it really doesn't make any sense to not be using a lockbox. We must get every buyer possible in to see a sellers home.
Carole, I tell my sellers that the homes that sell first are the easiest to get in to see.
Mary, It does make some homes nearly impossible to see, without a lockbox.
Paul, I prefer to pass on those listings. The market is very competitive today, we don't need any reasons for buyers not to be able to get in.
Ann, Oh, I really dislike the homes where the key is in the listing office. It makes the situation even more difficult.
Rob, You're right, so often we have such a short time frame in which to set up the appointment for a buyer to look at the home. And often sellers are gone at work for the day.
Caren, Lockboxes do make everyone's life easier!
Hi SS,
long time no comment...
I recently switched agencies to one that doesn't provide lockboxes (at least they never said they did). I am hesitant to spend that kind of money for one at this time. The only listing I have right now is my own home and I have no problem having agents call me for an appointment and then making sure the door is unlocked for them. if it becomes a hassle, I'll break down and buy one.
Hi TO, I saw that you switched companies. Congratulations! I hope it is a wonderful transition for you! You're working with your own best customer, in selling your own house -LOL. I wish all sellers were as conscientious as you are...when they say the door will be unlocked, it's unlocked! It makes life so easy! On many of the high end homes we don't always recommend a lockbox.
I have had some folks balk at using a lock box, worried that someone might just barge in, there's always a story about that hanging around.
One way I've overcome some of this issue is to use a special code on the lock box that the buyer's agent needs to get in order to make the lock box work. Works really well with people with pets or children who may be home alone.
Any way that makes the entrance into the home easier, but still secure, puts the seller in the same playing field as other sellers who do have easy access.
You're so right, you can't sell what you can't show!