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Jeff Dowler, CRS, The Southern California Relocation Dude (eXp Realty of California, Inc.)

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Rainmaker
5,583,278
Barbara Todaro
RE/MAX Executive Realty - Happily Retired - Franklin, MA
Previously Affiliated with The Todaro Team

I would hope the agent would put the key back in the lockbox so the listing agent has a record of whom accessed the key....it's a securtiy thing!!

Jun 30, 2016 01:14 AM
Rainmaker
1,543,623
Thomas J. Nelson, REALTOR ® e-Pro CRS RCS-D Vets
Big Block Realty 858.232.8722 - La Jolla, CA
CEO of Vision Drive Realty - Coastal San Diego

If I do not know the agent I lock up & put the key back in the lock box as they should understand. Many do that to me too, it's fine. It only happens on Saturdays and not often to me; I show alot mid week when its slower.

If I personally know the agent-we're friends, I'd hand them the key and close the lockbox so they have to sign in to put it away. So, if  Jeff Dowler CRS walked up to me not Joe Blow I met once 5 years ago, I'd be comfortable with that.

Jun 30, 2016 01:19 AM
Rainmaker
1,725,996
Sandy Padula & Norm Padula, JD, GRI
HomeSmart Realty West & Florida Realty Investments - , CA
Presence, Persistence & Perseverance

Place it back in the lockbox for two reasons:

1) Assurance that the other agent is a member of the local board and suthorized to enter the home, and

2) So there is a log of who entered for the listing agent in case a problem develops and as a professional courtesy

Jun 30, 2016 01:34 AM
Ambassador
3,345,091
Kathleen Daniels, Probate & Trust Specialist
KD Realty - 408.972.1822 - San Jose, CA
Probate Real Estate Services

I great them warmly and advise that I will put the key back into the box so they may access.  

Jun 30, 2016 01:59 AM
Rainmaker
5,772,575
Ron and Alexandra Seigel
Napa Consultants - Carpinteria, CA
Luxury Real Estate Branding, Marketing & Strategy

Jeff,

I would not hand them the key...A

Jun 30, 2016 01:44 AM
Ambassador
2,684,009
Fred Griffin Florida Real Estate
Fred Griffin Real Estate - Tallahassee, FL
Licensed Florida Real Estate Broker

Reset the lockbox, so that it records their entry.

Jun 30, 2016 01:31 AM
Rainmaker
851,242
Brenda Mayette
Miranda Real Estate Group, Inc. - Glenville, NY
Getting results w/ knowledge & know-how!

I like Thomas Nelsons answer.  :)

Jun 30, 2016 10:14 PM
Ambassador
1,452,669
Susan Emo
Sotheby's International Realty Canada - Brokerage - Kingston, ON
Kingston and the 1000 Islands Area

We don't have electronic lock boxes so there is no record.  If I know the agent, and I normally do, I ask them if they have the LB code to lock it back up again and then ask them to put the key back in the box when they're done.  Never had an issue but then again, I know just about every agent here.

Jun 30, 2016 05:37 AM
Rainer
216,904
Sharon Altier
Coldwell Banker Realty - Elmhurst, IL
Luxury Property Specialist, CSC, SFR

I inform the agent that we will be finishing up shortly and request they remain outside.  I then lock up, return key to lockbox and get out of their way.  If agent acts miffed, I explain that my agreement with the listing agent is that I would return everything as is and that includes the key.  I don't have time nor interest to check  their credentials, to be sure they truly are an agent.  Never had an issue.

Jun 30, 2016 02:35 AM
Rainmaker
4,800,082
Gabe Sanders
Real Estate of Florida specializing in Martin County Residential Homes, Condos and Land Sales - Stuart, FL
Stuart Florida Real Estate

I would ask them to at least put their code in the lock box so the listing agent will have confirmation that they were showing and it would give me the peace of mind that they are a current agent.

Jun 30, 2016 02:13 AM
Rainmaker
1,027,602
Susan Haughton
Long and Foster REALTORS (703) 470-4545 - Alexandria, VA
Susan & Mindy Team...Honesty. Integrity. Results.

I put it back in the lockbox so the listing agent has a record of who has entered the house.  I would never hand over a key to another agent. 

Jun 30, 2016 02:01 AM
Rainmaker
921,504
Annette Lawrence , Palm Harbor, FL 727-420-4041
ReMax Realtec Group - Palm Harbor, FL
Making FLORIDA Real Estate EZ

Yes, it is awkward, with the agent and their buyer outside the front door and I lock up the house and stuff the key in the lockbox.

The agent should be able to explain the importance of the tracking mechanism and set the state for the buyer to provide a response for the feedback that will be requested.

Jun 30, 2016 01:17 AM
Rainmaker
4,333,708
Lawrence "Larry" & Sheila Agranoff. Cell: 631-805-4400
The Top Team @ Charles Rutenberg Realty 255 Executive Dr, Plainview NY 11803 - Plainview, NY
Long Island Condo and Home Specialists

Yes, I close the lockbox and let them sign in!

Jun 30, 2016 01:13 AM
Rainmaker
1,622,432
Inna Ivchenko
Barcode Properties - Encino, CA
Realtor® • GRI • HAFA • PSC Calabasas CA

If is it a supra, I put it back and let them go on their own. 

Jul 03, 2016 04:40 PM
Ambassador
3,164,219
Tammy Lankford,
Lane Realty Eatonton, GA Lake Sinclair, Milledgeville, 706-485-9668 - Eatonton, GA
Broker GA Lake Sinclair/Eatonton/Milledgeville

I lock the house and lock the key in the keybox.  If the house is left unlocked it's NOT on me.

Jul 03, 2016 01:57 PM
Rainmaker
979,496
Troy Erickson AZ Realtor (602) 295-6807
HomeSmart - Chandler, AZ
Your Chandler, Ahwatukee, and East Valley Realtor

Jeff - I put the key back in the lockbox and let the other agent get the key out of the lockbox. I never want to be liable for what another agent may or may not do with the keys to a home. It's called CYA.

Jul 01, 2016 06:46 AM
Rainmaker
4,935,567
Will Hamm
Hamm Homes - Aurora, CO
"Where There's a Will, There's a Way!"

Ask for their card and give them the keep.

Jul 01, 2016 01:23 AM
Rainmaker
1,157,785
FN LN
Toronto, ON

Lock up and put the key back in the lockbox or return it to the real estate office where I obtained the key.  The other agent will need to obtain the key in accordance with the instructions they obtained.

We don't have electronic lockboxes in my area.

Jun 30, 2016 10:33 PM
Rainmaker
989,652
Jennifer Mackay
Counts Real Estate Group, Inc. - Panama City, FL
Your Bay County Florida Realtor 850.774.6582

Depends if I know the agent - but if it's on a supra, I put the key back in so the listing agent can track it

Jun 30, 2016 09:28 PM
Rainmaker
3,071,489
Tony and Suzanne Marriott, Associate Brokers
Serving the Greater Phoenix and Scottsdale Metropolitan Area - Scottsdale, AZ
Haven Express @ Keller Williams Arizona Realty

keep the door locked while inside.

replace the key in the lockbox.

Jun 30, 2016 09:00 PM
Rainmaker
7,835,391
Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

Put the key in the lock box and let they other agent open it. We have electronic registration in our area.

Jun 30, 2016 08:35 PM
Rainmaker
4,319,419
Praful Thakkar
LAER Realty Partners - Andover, MA
Andover, MA: Andover Luxury Homes For Sale

Jeff Dowler CRS - I have to ask them to wait until I finish my 'job'!

And before handing over the keys, I do ask the agent about the business card, if I have not met him/her earlier.

Jun 30, 2016 04:33 PM
Ambassador
3,727,873
Patricia Kennedy
RLAH@Properties - Washington, DC
Home in the Capital

I put it back in the Sentrilock box so the other agent can use his key to open it.

Jun 30, 2016 03:41 PM
Rainmaker
1,771,867
Noah Seidenberg
Coldwell Banker - Evanston, IL
Chicagoland and Suburbs (800) 858-7917

It depends Jeff. Many I know and are my friends and I hand over the key. If it is a Sentry Lock or someone I do not know I close the box.

Jun 30, 2016 02:20 PM
Rainmaker
1,502,998
Ryan Huggins - Thousand Oaks, CA
https://HugginsHomes.com - Thousand Oaks, CA
Residential Real Estate and Investment Properties

I put the key back in the box, or at least make them open the box so there is a record.  If the house explodes, you don't want your login to be the last one!

Jun 30, 2016 01:34 PM
Rainmaker
2,224,473
Debbie Laity
Cedaredge Land Company - Cedaredge, CO
Your Real Estate Resource for Delta County, CO

There are about 80 agents in my county. I know them. I leave the door open and wish that agent a good day. 

Jun 30, 2016 01:04 PM
Rainmaker
1,683,912
Larry Johnston
Broker, Friends & Neighbors Real Estate and Elkhart County Subdivisions, LLC - Elkhart, IN
Broker,Friends & Neighbors Real Estate, Elkhart,IN

Many leave the door unlocked, but with the electronic keyboxes, it records who was in the house.  We lock it and the new agent must reopen it when we leave.  It's called CYA!

Jun 30, 2016 12:41 PM
Rainmaker
3,988,007
Debbie Reynolds, C21 Platinum Properties
Platinum Properties- (931)771-9070 - Clarksville, TN
The Dedicated Clarksville TN Realtor-(931)320-6730

I have asked them to please wait that we will finish up shortly. If I know them I will let them lock up. If not I rescure the house and let the agent use the access they were given. 

Jun 30, 2016 12:15 PM
Rainmaker
1,153,794
Kevin J. May
Florida Supreme Realty - Hobe Sound, FL
Serving the Treasure & Paradise Coasts of Florida

If it's an associate I know I hand it over and make a note to self. If I am not familiar with them it'll go into the lockbox.

Jun 30, 2016 11:43 AM
Ambassador
3,587,835
Anna "Banana" Kruchten
HomeSmart Real Estate - Phoenix, AZ
602-380-4886

Jeff I put the key back in the lockbox - in a kind manner. They almost always understand why that is important.  I have no issue with other agents doing the same with me....in fact I'm surprised if they don't.

Jun 30, 2016 10:36 AM
Rainmaker
900,128
Olga Simoncelli
Veritas Prime, LLC dba Veritas Prime Real Estate - New Fairfield, CT
CONSULTANT, Real Estate Services & Risk Management

Oh, it's happened. No handing over keys. Once when I did that, luckily I checked - the deck door was left wide open and guess what - it was my name on the lock box register, not the other agent's.

Jun 30, 2016 05:08 AM
Rainer
231,224
Mike Rock
Complete Design - Granite Bay, CA
Granite Bay Luxury New Construction...For Less

put it back. if they are pros they will understand

Jun 30, 2016 04:07 AM
Rainmaker
1,466,207
Michael Setunsky
Woodbridge, VA
Your Commercial Real Estate Link to Northern VA

Jeff Dowler CRS Barbara Todaro handled this question nicely.

Jun 30, 2016 03:10 AM
Rainmaker
1,574,666
Gary L. Waters Broker Associate, Bucci Realty
Bucci Realty, Inc. - Melbourne, FL
Eighteen Years Experience in Brevard County

I put it in the box so the listing agent knows who was in teh house and when. 

Jun 30, 2016 03:09 AM
Rainmaker
1,844,271
Lyn Sims
Schaumburg, IL
Real Estate Broker Retired

I tell them to wait until we are finished. If I do not know them, key goes back in the lockbox & they can get it on their own. That way I am not responsible. 

Jun 30, 2016 02:47 AM
Rainmaker
4,571,967
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

Theory often works better than reality.   Recently I went to a property to show it -- the door was wide open and there were multiple agents(some I knew) and lots of people.   I still announced myself as I walked in but never did find anyone who was "in charge" of the key/lockbox.

Typically, it's not this wild and professionalism reigns.  

 

Jun 30, 2016 02:46 AM
Rainmaker
1,525,616
Sybil Campbell
Fernandina Beach, FL
Referral Agent Amelia Island Florida

I would never hand the key to another agent, even one I know well.  It's just not wotht the potential problems that could arise.

Jun 30, 2016 02:38 AM
Ambassador
6,393,154
Bob Crane
Woodland Management Service / Woodland Real Estate, KW Diversified - Stevens Point, WI
Forestland Experts! 715-204-9671

Has never happened to me, but I am sure it would be best for all to have each of you sign in and sign out.

Jun 30, 2016 02:32 AM
Rainmaker
4,882,355
Richard Weeks
Dallas, TX
REALTOR®, Broker

I always return the keys to the lockbox.

Jun 30, 2016 02:29 AM
Rainmaker
290,969
Allie Angeloni
Long Realty - Oro Valley, AZ

I always put the key back in the lockbox, so that they can 'sign in' electronically.  I realize that they also Sign In on the sheet inside, and sometimes leave a business card, but what if they did not, and then there was no record of them being there . . .  I wouldn't want to think that something 'happened' on My Watch, when it was not me Jeff Dowler CRS

Jun 30, 2016 02:13 AM