Special offer
Mimi Foster, Voted Colorado Springs Best Realtor (Falcon Property Company)

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Rainmaker
1,543,823
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

Do you have the key?

I'd either have left the key back in the box or it would be in my pocket, either way, I'd know and would not accept being accused. If I had it I'd return it.

There's no way to truly accuse you if other agents came and went too.

But, it sounds like you took the high road.

Mar 17, 2017 06:07 PM
Ambassador
2,061,814
Alan May
Jameson Sotheby's International Realty - Evanston, IL
Home is where the hearth is.

I understand that it's a little touchy, since you're writing an offer on the property.... but for the very same reason, the listing agent should be a little more tactful.

If you're confident that you returned the keys (and you have a witness), I would allow the listing agent to figure it out... I would not offer to re-key.

Mar 17, 2017 08:40 PM
Rainmaker
5,005,659
Dorie Dillard Austin TX
Coldwell Banker Realty ~ 512.750.6899 - Austin, TX
NW Austin ~ Canyon Creek and Spicewood/Balcones

I'd probably do what you did and take the high road but I would ask if the lockbox showing activity report showed anyone coming in after me.

Mar 17, 2017 07:16 PM
Rainmaker
1,052,211
Candice A. Donofrio
Next Wave RE Investments LLC Bullhead City AZ Commercial RE Broker - Fort Mohave, AZ
928-201-4BHC (4242) call/text

If you know you put that key back, ask that agent to poll the lockbox and if they refuse, ask the Association to. I agree with Thomas, and usually people that take the offensive like that are the guilty party. I'd hold her feet to the fire for a few minutes before I rekeyed.

Mar 17, 2017 06:14 PM
Rainmaker
4,319,419
Praful Thakkar
LAER Realty Partners - Andover, MA
Andover, MA: Andover Luxury Homes For Sale

Mimi Foster - if you did not take the keys, you do not need to re-key. Simple. You are too nice for sure.

An offer should go as you'd write otherwise.

Some agents like drama more than anything else! 

Mar 17, 2017 10:39 PM
Rainer
321,564
Melissa Jackson REALTOR
Trinity Premier Properties - Azle, TX
Helping You Make The Right Move

The lockbox will have a record of agents that entered. Either way, having it rekeyed will be a plus once you make an offer. 

Mar 17, 2017 09:26 PM
Rainer
216,904
Sharon Altier
Coldwell Banker Realty - Elmhurst, IL
Luxury Property Specialist, CSC, SFR

If the house is on Sentrilock, then the agent should show you the report, to confirm that you were the last one in the home.  If so, somehow you missed putting it back in securely.  Unfortunately, there are agents who go into homes (on Sentrilock) without advising the listing agent.  

If it is on a lockbox, then I'd still push back on the agent and let them know it was secured. It was generous of you to offer to rekey. Hopefully your deal with go through without further turmoil!

 

Mar 17, 2017 08:33 PM
Rainmaker
634,482
Kathleen Luiten
Resort and Second-Home Specialist - Princeville, HI
Kauai Luxury Ocean Home Sales

Is there a lockbox report showing you were the last to access the property? If there is I'd do what you are doing even if I'm sure I didn't take it. If not I'd follw Candice A. Donofrio's advice and hold the agent's feet to the fire for a while. 

Mar 17, 2017 08:02 PM
Rainmaker
5,772,575
Ron and Alexandra Seigel
Napa Consultants - Carpinteria, CA
Luxury Real Estate Branding, Marketing & Strategy

Mimi,

the lockbox report should have who showed after you.  A

Mar 17, 2017 07:52 PM
Rainmaker
1,712,676
Joe Pryor
The Virtual Real Estate Team - Oklahoma City, OK
REALTOR® - Oklahoma Investment Properties

If it is an electronic box it would be easy to see y=who had the key last.

Mar 17, 2017 07:29 PM
Rainmaker
1,153,794
Kevin J. May
Florida Supreme Realty - Hobe Sound, FL
Serving the Treasure & Paradise Coasts of Florida

Supra and Sentrilock boxes keep tabs on all of the comings & goings of agents. It's a hard thing to argue if you were the last to access the property. That being said I would not accuse anyone of taking a key wthout checking those records first. My guess is that you were the last known appointment but that extra step was not taken to be absolutely sure.

Mar 17, 2017 06:43 PM
Rainmaker
613,494
Eve Alexander
Buyers Broker of Florida - Tampa, FL
Exclusively Representing ONLY Tampa Home Buyers

In Florida, agents who have a client interested in the property would have stolen the key, just so no one else could show it.

You took a higher road than I could have.

Eve

 

Mar 18, 2017 03:40 AM
Rainmaker
679,404
Diana Dahlberg
1 Month Realty - Pleasant Prairie, WI
Real Estate in Kenosha, WI since 1994 262-308-3563

I respect you for taking the high road, and trying to keep the peace, but from my perspective ... we are bombarded on a daily basis with vendors trying to sell us something to get our hardearned money.  If you and your clients saw you put the key in the box and you made sure it was locked then I would not be "too quick" about getting the house re-keyed.  Hoping they have the Supralock (electronic lockbox) and you could ask them to prove that you were the last to use it and enter or exit the house.  I totally understand the high road ... but we are not doormats.  You are of so much higher value than that.  Hope you are able to work this out and the Listing Agent is able to see clear to seek for the truth in the matter and not make accusations she cannot prove.

Sorry for the rant  

Mar 17, 2017 10:05 PM
Rainmaker
637,434
Hella M. Rothwell, Broker/Realtor®
Carmel by the Sea, CA
Rothwell Realty Inc. CA#01968433 Carmel-by-the-Sea

Hey, if I didn't do it, I didn't do it. Especially if I witness of a client who wants to make an offer. But I would try to unruffle those feathers. Sometimes agents just get frustrated. I've had listing agents not taking their lockboxes off the property once it sold, and the new buyers swear people have gone into the house. When I checked with the LA, she said she can't imagine who would have gone in--like she couldn't or didn't know how to check that. (Yes, my buyers should have changed the locks per my recommendation but didn't get to it for about a week.)

Mar 17, 2017 09:53 PM
Ambassador
5,049,450
Jeff Dowler, CRS
eXp Realty of California, Inc. - Carlsbad, CA
The Southern California Relocation Dude

Is it an electronic box? There would, of course, be a record of agents who visited and when, includng those after you. I would be as cordial as possible and discuss what I did specifically.

Mar 17, 2017 07:46 PM
Rainmaker
3,986,258
William Feela
WHISPERING PINES REALTY - North Branch, MN
Realtor, Whispering Pines Realty 651-674-5999 No.

I would be defending myself if I know I didn't have the ey.  They always go inside my pockets.

Mar 17, 2017 07:43 PM
Ambassador
2,684,109
Fred Griffin Florida Real Estate
Fred Griffin Real Estate - Tallahassee, FL
Licensed Florida Real Estate Broker

Angry?  And you want to make an offer?  Wow. 

Mar 17, 2017 07:00 PM
Ambassador
6,393,609
Bob Crane
Woodland Management Service / Woodland Real Estate, KW Diversified - Stevens Point, WI
Forestland Experts! 715-204-9671

Have the agent double check the supra log to see who was there after you.

Mar 17, 2017 06:59 PM
Rainmaker
2,220,654
Anthony Acosta - ALLATLANTAcondos.com
Harry Norman, REALTORS® - Atlanta, GA
Associate Broker

You can pull the lockbox report to find out if someone else visited the property after you.  

Mar 17, 2017 06:28 PM
Rainmaker
3,416,038
Scott Godzyk
Godzyk Real Estate Services - Manchester, NH
One of the Manchester NH's area Leading Agents

You handled it well, i may not have been so nice. Having a buyer though wanting to make an offer, you have to be nice. Glad they apologized

Mar 18, 2017 05:24 AM
Rainmaker
4,572,183
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

Stuff happens and you handled in a very professional manner.  It was nice to hear that the listing agent called you and apologized profusely. Good luck with your offer.  

Mar 18, 2017 04:02 AM
Ambassador
2,436,099
Kat Palmiotti
eXp Commercial, Referral Divison - Kalispell, MT
Helping your Montana dreams take root

I'm glad they found the key. You obviously put your client's needs/desires first and went over and beyond what you needed to do here. And yes, if your offer is a strong one, I bet there are some brownie points floating around!

Mar 18, 2017 03:07 AM
Ambassador
5,230,113
Debe Maxwell, CRS
Savvy + Company (704) 491-3310 - Charlotte, NC
The RIGHT CHARLOTTE REALTOR!

If a buyers' agent was bringing me an Offer to one of my listings, I would be the one doing the re-keying!  I would NEVER accuse another agent of taking the key anyway - I would ask the last person to have accessed my lockbox if "perhaps" they had misplaced the key.  

Way to take the high-road, Mimi Foster!  

Mar 17, 2017 10:44 PM
Rainmaker
142,796
Diana White-Pettis
Bennett Realty Solutions - Upper Marlboro, MD
GRI, CDPE, CNE, WHC Upper Marlboro Homes for Sale

I would also have the lockbox report reviewed and havelock rekeyed to take the high road as you are doing.

Mar 17, 2017 10:07 PM
Rainmaker
763,883
Tony Lewis
Summit Real Estate Group - Valencia, CA
Summit Real Estate Group Valencia & Aliso Viejo

The first this I'd do is find out if they have electronic recording of the lock box.  If not I'd tell them to pound sand.  If so, I'd explain that you put the key back and don't know how it dissapeared.  Try to smooth things over and get your clients in the best position to get their offer accepted.  We are in sales and know how to communicate.

Mar 17, 2017 09:20 PM
Rainmaker
4,936,705
Will Hamm
Hamm Homes - Aurora, CO
"Where There's a Will, There's a Way!"

I was going to say, does the owner have the lockbox code.  I never give the code to the sellers.

Mar 20, 2017 11:56 AM
Rainmaker
7,836,164
Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

Thanks for sharing this story.

Mar 19, 2017 08:48 AM
Rainmaker
599,274
Nathan Gesner
American West Realty and Management - Cody, WY
Broker / Property Manager

I'm glad to hear it worked out and hope your offer is accepted!

Mar 19, 2017 07:33 AM
Rainmaker
979,496
Troy Erickson AZ Realtor (602) 295-6807
HomeSmart - Chandler, AZ
Your Chandler, Ahwatukee, and East Valley Realtor

Mimi - I think I would have done the same as you, and hope that you would get brownie points for that. However, the decision will be based on your clients offer, and what the sellers determine is the best offer for them.

Mar 19, 2017 12:18 AM
Rainmaker
115,432
Jeanne Feenick
NextHome Premier - Basking Ridge, NJ
The Agent you choose REALLY does make a difference

Everything counts in a competitive bidding situation - so if eating a little crow by the listing agent/seller works in your favor, the stress of it will be well worth it!!

Mar 18, 2017 10:19 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 think you handled it beautifully. Sometimes we are accused of things we know we are not responsible for and the best solution for future relations is to offer up a solution. In your case it was offering to rekey the house. I think it shows you have lots of integrity.

Mar 18, 2017 06:11 PM
Rainmaker
1,617,916
Harry F. D'Elia III
WEDO Real Estate and Beyond, LLC - Phoenix, AZ
Investor , Mentor, GRI, Radio, CIPS, REOs, ABR

keep moving forward

Mar 18, 2017 03:27 PM
Rainmaker
1,955,212
Sheri Sperry - MCNE®
Coldwell Banker Realty - Sedona, AZ
(928) 274-7355 ~ YOUR Solutions REALTOR®

Very touchy if you are going to write a contract. Main thing, don't PO the seller! Our clients always come first.  If your clients were done and moving on to another listing....and you knew for a fact you left that key, I would stay the course and say I put that key back. Check elsewhere....

Mar 18, 2017 02:23 PM
Rainmaker
900,128
Olga Simoncelli
Veritas Prime, LLC dba Veritas Prime Real Estate - New Fairfield, CT
CONSULTANT, Real Estate Services & Risk Management

Glad there was a "happy" ending.

Mar 18, 2017 01:31 PM
Rainmaker
711,852
Lynnea Miller
Bend Premier Real Estate - Bend, OR
Premier Real Estate Service in Central Oregon

Looks like I am late to the question, but your answer is fabulous - and did your client get the home???

Mar 18, 2017 12:15 PM
Ambassador
3,345,091
Kathleen Daniels, Probate & Trust Specialist
KD Realty - 408.972.1822 - San Jose, CA
Probate Real Estate Services

If I do not have the key ... then I do not have the key.  Period.  Brownie points on the offer you submit ... ???? Do let us know 

Mar 18, 2017 09:52 AM
Rainmaker
4,882,355
Richard Weeks
Dallas, TX
REALTOR®, Broker

After all that, I hope your buyers gets the house.

Mar 18, 2017 08:36 AM
Rainmaker
5,583,278
Barbara Todaro
RE/MAX Executive Realty - Happily Retired - Franklin, MA
Previously Affiliated with The Todaro Team

there are no brownie points in real estate....just saying.... 

Mar 18, 2017 08:18 AM
Rainmaker
1,725,996
Sandy Padula & Norm Padula, JD, GRI
HomeSmart Realty West & Florida Realty Investments - , CA
Presence, Persistence & Perseverance

I think your cooperation says everything about your professionalism and the listing agent and seller are sure to remember you.

Mar 18, 2017 08:16 AM
Rainmaker
809,258
Kasey & John Boles
Jon Gosche Real Estate, LLC - BoiseMeridianRealEstate.com - Boise, ID
Boise & Meridian, ID Ada/Canyon/Gem/Boise Counties

Yikes! What stress! You handled it SO well and that agent will remember that. Kudos Mimi!-Kasey

Mar 18, 2017 08:01 AM
Rainmaker
5,216,409
Wayne Martin
Wayne M Martin - Chicago, IL
Real Estate Broker - Retired

The high road may have paid off here! Good luck!

Mar 18, 2017 06:52 AM
Rainmaker
1,844,301
Lyn Sims
Schaumburg, IL
Real Estate Broker Retired

Yes you have bonus brownie points for your generous offering  to rekey. You'll get the sale, good luck!

Mar 18, 2017 06:39 AM
Rainmaker
2,182,552
Michael J. Perry
KW Elite - Lancaster, PA
Lancaster, PA Relo Specialist

It's crystal clear that another agent had to open the LB to discover it wasn't there ! Listing Agent needs to pursue them !

Mar 18, 2017 06:13 AM
Rainmaker
5,104,931
Nina Hollander, Broker
Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC
Your Greater Charlotte Realtor

Stuff happens. Don't know about brownie points. Just put in the best offer you can and do your best.

Mar 18, 2017 05:57 AM
Rainmaker
989,652
Jennifer Mackay
Counts Real Estate Group, Inc. - Panama City, FL
Your Bay County Florida Realtor 850.774.6582

Don't your lockboxes have a reporting feature of who was the last to use the box? Ours does and it's quite helpful

Mar 18, 2017 05:14 AM
Rainmaker
1,513,143
Raymond E. Camp
Ontario, NY

You handled it the way I would have!

Mar 18, 2017 05:13 AM
Rainmaker
921,504
Annette Lawrence , Palm Harbor, FL 727-420-4041
ReMax Realtec Group - Palm Harbor, FL
Making FLORIDA Real Estate EZ

Real estate agents are QUICK to throw others under the bus.

As you experienced, when you are the victim, it is not pretty.

And EVERYONE in this story will have someone else to blame.

Mar 18, 2017 05:03 AM
Rainmaker
911,338
Jeff Pearl
RE/MAX Distinctive / LIC in VA - Lovettsville, VA
Full Service Full Time Realtor

I wouldn't expect any special cosnsideration with offer. I would prepare best offer for buyers and see what happens. And missing keys is a part of this business. I wouldn't have offered to rekey any locks. The agent and owner should already have spare keys. Both agent and owner overreacted, but I wouldn't have made a big deal out of it.

Mar 18, 2017 03:53 AM
Rainmaker
4,434,127
Gita Bantwal
RE/MAX Centre Realtors - Warwick, PA
REALTOR,ABR,CRS,SRES,GRI - Bucks County & Philadel

Good luck.

Mar 17, 2017 09:46 PM
Rainmaker
1,045,440
Dave Martin (703) 585-4687
Fairfax Realty - Fairfax, VA
Making Realty Dreams a Reality #WeWillGetYouHome

You will only know if there was another agent inbetween you and the one who couldn't find it when that unknown agent UPDATES their lockbox card.

Feb 22, 2018 06:15 PM
Rainmaker
1,502,998
Ryan Huggins - Thousand Oaks, CA
https://HugginsHomes.com - Thousand Oaks, CA
Residential Real Estate and Investment Properties

Wow!  What a story!  You certainly will have something to laugh about when presenting your offer.

Mar 19, 2017 09:33 AM
Rainmaker
2,781,173
Richie Alan Naggar
people first...then business Ran Right Realty - Riverside, CA
agent & author

You can accuse anyone of anything....The playing field? Prove it!

Mar 18, 2017 07:43 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

If the listing agent had used an electronic lockbox, this would not have been an issue.

Mar 18, 2017 05:54 AM
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

Tell them to chill out and call me back when they were more composed...

Mar 18, 2017 05:24 AM