But of course! Nothing worse than putting a key in the box that doesn't open the door--I've had that happen when I've gone to show someone else's listing and it's a pain.

Always! I check them all.

However, I expect the buyer agent to know, from time to time they need to jiggle or play with the duplicate key to get them to work. I find myself saying, "You will figure it out" way to often.

How often have you walked away from a condo building with three keys in your pocket...all untagged! Now there are three lock boxes with the wrong keys that will be blamed on the listing agent.

 Good morning Frank. I wish they would. Sometimes I have to really fumble and fight to get the key to work in the lock.

Of course.  If there are several keys, I ask the Seller to tag each key with a description.  This eliminates the wasted time trying various keys in locks and is great to turn over to new buyer. 

Of course I do. I'm thinking you just ran into someone that didn't check?

Frank Rubi, MBA - yes, that's the first thing, before I put the key in lock-box.

Yes.

This is very essential. Yes, I do.

Frank, we usually have a duplicate made just in case the keys get locked inside the home and the seller is not available with their set of keys.  Yes, we always check to see the keys work.

Frank - YIKES!  This is one of my pet peeves.  So simple yet often overlooked!

Definitely!

I have the seller check it for me, right in front of me before I leave the home. Because it's totally a waste of everyone's time. The sellers that leave the home, the buyers and their agent that can't access the home. And waste of my time if they call me and I have to figure out how they will get into the home without the proper key.  AND if they the sellers don't want their garage door locked, then I have them put a piece of tape on it, so they don't get locked out themselves - as most people access their home through their garage. 

we DO double check and then each listing agent is required to make a spare key and keep it with them....

Yes.  I learned the hard way with an out of state seller that all keys do not work. 

On a vacant listing I find it helpful that the seller have an extra set of keys to keep me from having to go open the door because he forgot something...and he does not have a Supra key.

Frank Rubi, MBA Yes, a lot of owners will give you a freshly made new key and sometimes they don't work.

I ALWAYS check the key to make sure it works. Too many tiimes they dont. 

Frank, I learned a long time ago that anytime I'm given a set of keys (or if I have a duplicate set made) it's important to check to be sure they work.  I'd say about 1 out of every 5-7 times I get a duplicate set made at a home improvement store, they do not work and I have to go back to have them re-do it.

I always check.  Nothing is worse than having an agent call when they cannot get in