Lockbox
Lockboxes
create a secure means for real estate agents to show a home
that is for sale.
These tools provide the necessary access to the property so
that REALTORS and brokers, as well as other interested parties
may have secure access tot he home. Real estate agents most
commonly use a lockbox as a standard component of their
value-added service. There are however, a number
of applications that everyday homeowners may find useful as
well. Hopefully,
this review will help you decide if a lockbox is the right tool
for you.
Choosing
the Right Lockbox
Most
people think of lockboxes as square boxes that are mounted
on a door handle. While this is the most common form,
lockboxes and keysafes can be mounted on walls, or even out
of site on other equipment linked to the property. Depending
on whether the application is permanent or temporary, handle
mounted or wall mounted models are available to suit the
application.
If you
do choose to use a handle mounted lockbox, or your real
estate agent does, there may be a concern with the lockbox
scratching or denting the door. Often, modern lockboxes do
have rubber covers that protect the hard edges from the
door. However,
if the lockbox you choose does not have a cover, duct tape
often is a suitable substitute.
Another
important concern is where the lockbox will be
located. Most
lockboxes are resistant to bad weather. However, if the location
you choose will be out in the elements and subject to heavy
moisture, you may with to use a lockbox model that has
rubber grommets, all weather casing or both. You may also want to take
into account temperature fluctuations as areas with high
humidity and high temperatures may wreak havoc on lower end
models.
The
lockbox that you choose for your application should be easy
to use and easily accessed with the correct keys or
ekeys. Ideally,
your lockbox should be readable
at night and in low light conditions as these are often the
times when you will need access. In your choice of
lockboxes, some do have features such as illuminated key
pads or phosphorescent letters. For example, the GE Supra
Ekey does come with an illuminated ekey
feature.
For many
REALTORS, the lockbox of choice has become the GE Supra Ekey. These electronic keysafes
provide the real estate professional with a lot of
additional data that other technology would
not. If you
do choose to use an electronic lockbox, be sure that the
model you choose can be overridden
mechanically. Occasionally, software
bugs and dead batteries do happen, and it can be very
frustrating being lock out simply because the battery to
the key is dead.
In
summary, buying the right lockbox is really a matter of
application. If
you are a real estate agent, the more advanced technology
may be appropriate. However, if you are simply
a property owner looking for additional access, there are a
number of loc cost alternatives that would work
beautifully.
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