Linda Linfoot - Keeping You Informed
It's A Lock!
Gone are the days when sellers' keys hung on pegs in real-estate offices. Today, it's sophisticated lockboxes that make your house accessible – and easier to sell.
Lockboxes are metal boxes containing a smaller compartment for your house key. While older lockboxes were opened with keys, today's models are much more advanced. Some are combination locks; the latest are electronic, opened by a code (which can be changed on a day-to-day basis), a secure key card with a PIN, or by infrared technology triggered by an electronic key or smart phone. Electronic lockboxes even contain computer chips that record who has opened the lockbox and when, providing sellers with an additional layer of security.
What can a lockbox do for you? Make the selling process more convenient. With a lockbox, you don't have to be home to let anyone in, meaning fewer disruptions to your routine while your house is on market. Some lockboxes even have software enabling you to leave notes (e.g., "Please remove shoes") for real estate salespersons.
Lockboxes also help facilitate faster sales. Without a lockbox, it may be more difficult for representatives to show your house. The less convenient it is to show, the fewer showings you'll have. Fewer showings mean fewer offers, which means your house will linger on the market longer.
Speaking of convenience, you'll definitely want to place the lockbox where it's secure, but ensure it's easily accessible as well. If real estate salespersons have to wrestle with a thorn bush or come face-to-face with your guard dog to access your key, they'll be less likely to want to return to show your house.
