Is It Safe to Use a Lockbox When Selling DFW Real Estate?

When listing DFW real estate for sale, home sellers eagerly hand over their house keys to their DFW Realtor. Then your Realtor puts your door keys in a lockbox so that your home can be shown to potential buyers.  Lockboxes that hold house keys and attach to a door handle, gas meter or gate, much like a bicycle lock.

A Bit About Lockboxes

Most agents in the DFW real estate market area, including the and markets use electronic, blue Supra box (called an iBox), manufactured by General Electric.  These lockboxes operate on an infraRed system.  The iBox release mechanism is triggered by pointing an electronic display key or, in some cases, a synchronized cell phone, at the sensor which are only available to licensed real estate agents. These sensors record the user's information and releases the bottom of the lockbox, which contains the keys.  Houses with a lockbox get more showings because they are easy to access.

How Much Do These Supra Lockboxes Cost?

Local Realtor associations charge varying fees for lockboxes, but they range around $100 each. That does not include the rental for a display key or right to use an eKey.  Full service DFW real estate and agents will provide a lockbox for sellers free of charge. Agents who discount services often charge sellers for using a lockbox.

Is it Safe to Use One of These Lockboxes?                                                       

·         Outdoor Placement:  Some Realtors think it is better to put a lockbox on the side of the house, maybe on a gas meter, or on the back-door handle or on the garage door or a gate. The reasoning is that most people won’t see it.  If you have a real estate for sale sign in your yard, however, even dumb crooks will figure out that there is probably a lockbox on the side of the house or in the back of the house.

·         Restricted Hours: Keep in mind that many lockboxes only operate during certain hours. For example, lockboxes do not open after 9pm or before 8am. This lessens the chance that an unscrupulous agent will just walk in on an unexpecting family or host a party in an empty house at night time. There is almost no reason for someone to have to gain access to a property outside of regular hours.

·         Periodic Placement: Some sellers feel more secure if the lockbox is not attached to their house. These sellers put the lockbox in an agreed upon spot after leaving the house or upon a scheduled showing appointment time.

Manny sellers feel more comfortable with the lockbox in plain sight and on the front door. A good reason to hang a lockbox in another location other than the front door is if the lockbox interferes with opening and closing the door. If a crook wants to break into your house, they don’t want to call attention to themselves at the front door.  Use common sense and make sure the location of the lockbox is easily accessible by a Realtor.  Do your best to not make female agents walk through grass in high heels or have agents duck under low hanging trees or fight through a mess of overgrown bushes or rose thorns to find the lockbox.