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Dave Martin (703) 585-4687, Making Realty Dreams a Reality #WeWillGetYouHome (Fairfax Realty)

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Ambassador
5,559,774
Debe Maxwell, CRS
Savvy + Company (704) 491-3310 - Charlotte, NC
The RIGHT CHARLOTTE REALTOR!

Oh Lord, yes and I detest those things! They are a royal pain in the rear!

They were widely used by foreclosure agents here in Charlotte during the recession and most of them had the same code and we all knew it! R-U-N was the code - we often joked, wondering if this was a clue before we ever entered the house!

Mar 15, 2018 11:58 AM
Rainmaker
1,875,278
Lyn Sims
Schaumburg, IL
Real Estate Broker Retired

Sure & they are the biggest PITA the planet has to offer!

They are so frustrating I've even tried to smash them with a hammer. I only have one left as a kind of antique. Days are so much better with newer kinds of boxes. Get the one from MasterLock.

Mar 15, 2018 11:50 AM
Rainmaker
1,113,408
Candice A. Donofrio
Next Wave RE Investments LLC Bullhead City AZ Commercial RE Broker - Fort Mohave, AZ
928-201-4BHC (4242) call/text

I have 2 of those! Hahahah! We use them on REOs for vendors. I just had one go on the market and sell in ONE HOUR before I could get a Supra and sign on it. Everyone is FINE using it. 

Mar 15, 2018 11:45 AM
Rainmaker
542,716
Joseph Domino 480-390-6011
Inactive - Scottsdale, AZ
The Art of Storytelling

I know how to open it, but I have a question. Why does the agent always put it in the hardest to get at location that they can find? I am getting too old to lay down on the ground to see the dial.

Mar 15, 2018 12:49 PM
Rainmaker
5,390,976
Nina Hollander, Broker
Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC
Your Greater Charlotte Real Estate Broker

I don't know how to use these. Every so often a listing has one of these and listing agent says "just like your high school locker." Well, I went to a high school with maybe 225 students... we had lockers but nothing was ever locked up. I never used one of these. And besides I graduated from high school 52 years ago... even if I'd had one and then never seen one again in the ensuing half century, why would anyone think I remember how to work it? 

Here's what I'd rather say to someone who forces one of these on me: "stop being cheap and invest in some real lock boxes."

Mar 15, 2018 11:59 AM
Rainmaker
6,056,404
Joan Cox
House to Home, Inc. - Denver Real Estate - 720-231-6373 - Denver, CO
Denver Real Estate - Selling One Home at a Time

They are just like those lockers --- long, long time ago! 

Mar 17, 2018 04:05 PM
Rainmaker
1,466,257
Michael Setunsky
Woodbridge, VA
Your Commercial Real Estate Link to Northern VA

David Martin Not if I knew the combination. I have never seen one with letters as opposed to numbers.

Mar 16, 2018 07:43 AM
Rainmaker
3,074,716
Tony and Suzanne Marriott, Associate Brokers
Serving the Greater Phoenix and Scottsdale Metropolitan Area - Scottsdale, AZ
Coldwell Banker Realty

Yes

Mar 16, 2018 06:42 AM
Rainmaker
3,417,456
Scott Godzyk
Godzyk Real Estate Services - Manchester, NH
One of the Manchester NH's area Leading Agents

I think many younger new agents may ot have seen these before. I get these calls too. Alot of banks require these instead of electronic boxes

Mar 16, 2018 05:34 AM
Rainmaker
784,980
Peter Testa
Kiwi Homes - Danbury, CT
PETER TESTA

Turn left, turn right- pass the last letter or keep turning? Try it again, spin to clear, turn left, turn right, did it work? 

On occasions where I needed to use a Combo Box I usually use the numbered button ones or the ones where each letter has it's own dial. Less spinning is good. 

Mar 16, 2018 04:46 AM
Rainmaker
879,091
Brenda Mayette
Miranda Real Estate Group, Inc. - Glenville, NY
Getting results w/ knowledge & know-how!

I've now heard it all!!!  WOW!  When I encounter this kind of lockbox, I usually utter some throwback to junior high and then tackle it... left, right, left. 

Mar 16, 2018 04:40 AM
Rainmaker
672,307
Buzz Mackintosh
Mackintosh REALTORS - Frederick, MD
“Experience, reliable, leadership”

I still have a bunch of them, usually use them on vacant properties. Had a very young agent this past week that had a very challenging time opening it, had to give her step by step instructions over the phone.

Mar 16, 2018 03:47 AM
Rainmaker
4,434,277
Gita Bantwal
RE/MAX Centre Realtors - Warwick, PA
REALTOR,ABR,CRS,SRES,GRI - Bucks County & Philadel

yes

Mar 16, 2018 03:28 AM
Rainmaker
4,322,295
Praful Thakkar
LAER Realty Partners - Burlington, MA
Metro Boston Homes For Sale

David Martin - whenever I see this kind of locks, I get goosebumps....

Mar 15, 2018 11:10 PM
Rainmaker
1,269,343
Sam Shueh
(408) 425-1601 - San Jose, CA
mba, cdpe, reopro, pe

Tricky. Women with long finger nails hate them.

Mar 15, 2018 08:48 PM
Ambassador
6,769,034
Bob Crane
Woodland Management Service / Woodland Real Estate, KW Diversified - Stevens Point, WI
Forestland Experts! 715-204-9671

I am an old guy, I know how to use a combo lock.

Mar 15, 2018 08:27 PM
Ambassador
2,718,243
Fred Griffin Florida Real Estate
Fred Griffin Real Estate - Tallahassee, FL
Licensed Florida Real Estate Broker

  I can pick that lock faster than I can turn the dial.  Seriously.

Mar 15, 2018 08:18 PM
Ambassador
5,203,863
Jeff Dowler, CRS
eXp Realty of California, Inc. - Carlsbad, CA
The Southern California Relocation Dude

Haven't seen one in years - reminds me of high school!

Mar 15, 2018 07:47 PM
Rainmaker
1,525,616
Sybil Campbell
Fernandina Beach, FL
Referral Agent Amelia Island Florida

I think I could handle it!

Mar 15, 2018 07:15 PM
Rainmaker
259,417
Lesley Wilson-VanGoethem
Innovative Realty Solutions Group - Winter Springs, FL
Residential Real Estate Broker Associate

not stymied, but I hate them! I dispised the combo locks at school too!

 

Mar 15, 2018 06:43 PM
Rainmaker
403,357
Jill Murty, Realtor - Orange County, CA
Movoto - Laguna Niguel, CA

I know how to use this type of lock box, but they sure are a pain.

Mar 15, 2018 05:03 PM
Rainmaker
1,546,474
Ryan Huggins - Thousand Oaks, CA
https://HugginsHomes.com - Thousand Oaks, CA
Residential Real Estate and Investment Properties

I have some.

Mar 15, 2018 04:26 PM
Rainmaker
2,873,033
Richard Alan Naggar
people first...then business Ran Right Realty - Riverside, CA
agent & author

bolt-cutters come to mind

Mar 15, 2018 04:17 PM
Ambassador
3,692,337
Anna "Banana" Kruchten
Retired Broker/Owner - Phoenix, AZ
602-380-4886

I got rid of those things years ago - totally confusing and a real pain to use for everyone - except our handyman the jack of everything.

Mar 15, 2018 04:00 PM
Rainmaker
3,986,529
William Feela
WHISPERING PINES REALTY - North Branch, MN
Realtor, Whispering Pines Realty 651-674-5999 No.

I started my career using these.

Mar 15, 2018 03:48 PM
Rainmaker
4,273,331
Paul S. Henderson, REALTOR®, CRS
Fathom Realty Washington LLC - Tacoma, WA
South Puget Sound Washington Agent/Broker!

We call these contractor boxes and use them all the time...

Mar 15, 2018 03:13 PM
Rainmaker
3,988,144
Debbie Reynolds, C21 Platinum Properties
Platinum Properties- (931)771-9070 - Clarksville, TN
The Dedicated Clarksville TN Realtor-(931)320-6730

I used to see those and knew how to operate them. It would take a couple of tries as I remember it took a full round to take the code.

Mar 15, 2018 03:12 PM
Ambassador
3,447,866
Kathleen Daniels, Probate & Trust Specialist
KD Realty - 408.972.1822 - San Jose, CA
Probate Real Estate Services

If I had to the combination I would know how to use it. 

Mar 15, 2018 03:03 PM
Rainer
92,713
Ruth Grainger-Starr
Gold District Realty - Cripple Creek, CO
providing AWESOME real estate adventures

Yup I know how to use them. Run into the quite a bit on vacant older homes. 

Mar 15, 2018 02:46 PM
Rainmaker
2,259,513
Michael J. Perry
Fathom Realty - Lancaster, PA
Lancaster, PA Relo Specialist

I hate these ! Do you pass the next number 1,2 or 3 times ???

Mar 15, 2018 02:12 PM
Rainmaker
5,560,933
Wayne Martin
Wayne M Martin - Oswego, IL
Real Estate Broker - Retired

Know how to use one, but prefer not to! They are antiques these days.

Mar 15, 2018 02:10 PM
Rainmaker
1,657,908
Inna Ivchenko
Barcode Properties - Encino, CA
Realtor® • GRI • HAFA • PSC • Short Sale • Probate

Rarely we have those too, i'm always confused what side to go first: left, right? I call my kids to help:) 

Mar 15, 2018 01:57 PM
Rainmaker
773,796
Lynnea Miller
Bend Premier Real Estate - Bend, OR
Premier Real Estate Service in Central Oregon

Looks simple enough to me.

Mar 15, 2018 01:53 PM
Rainmaker
544,164
Dave Halpern
Dave Halpern Real Estate Agent, Inc., Louisville, KY (502) 664-7827 - Louisville, KY
Louisville Short Sale Expert

An agent who doesn't know how to use it should just google it or youtube it. 

Mar 15, 2018 01:32 PM
Ambassador
2,191,105
Silvia Dukes PA, Broker Associate, CRS, CIPS, SRES
Tropic Shores Realty - Ich spreche Deutsch! - Spring Hill, FL
Florida Waterfront and Country Club Living

Yes, I remember these. I haven't seen them around in quite some time. 

Mar 15, 2018 01:07 PM
Rainmaker
921,504
Annette Lawrence , Palm Harbor, FL 727-420-4041
ReMax Realtec Group - Palm Harbor, FL
Making FLORIDA Real Estate EZ

Yes. I would know how to use it.

However, whether I could see the letters and lines and symbols well is an entirely different issue.

Do you start lefty or righty? 

How many clearing spins do you start with?

What's the likelihood of pulling the release and it opens without spinning?

To be frank, these boxes are more convenient and faster than the e-box and solar flares have not effect on them.  CBS and I have all I need.

Mar 15, 2018 01:05 PM
Rainmaker
930,005
Olga Simoncelli
Veritas Prime, LLC dba Veritas Prime Real Estate - New Fairfield, CT
CONSULTANT, Real Estate Services & Risk Management

I have encountered them, but never used them, nor would I. They provide very little in the way of security for the seller. Example - I saw one code scribbled on a porch post right next to the combo lock. Nice. They are not that easy to open and even harder to close, especially with more than one key inside. Fumbling with it in front of clients is no fun.

Mar 15, 2018 12:54 PM
Rainer
69,794
Shawn and Angela Miller
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Amabassador Real Estate - Lincoln, NE
Lincoln and Omaha, NE REALTORS®

Yes, I would be stymied.  Do I start turning to the right or left, then pass the second letter once or twice.  ugggghhhh....

Mar 15, 2018 12:42 PM
Rainmaker
577,950
Gloria Valvasori, Accredited Senior Agent
BETTER HOMES AND GARDENS REAL ESTATE SIGNATURE SERVICE - Mississauga, ON
REAL Experience | REAL Commitment | REAL Results!

I occassional come across them when showing properties.. but I certainly know how to use them....  really not that difficult..

Mar 15, 2018 12:26 PM
Rainmaker
8,239,755
Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

Use them for your contractors.

Mar 15, 2018 12:25 PM
Rainmaker
1,513,143
Raymond E. Camp
Ontario, NY

As long as it can be read or turn; they are common around here.

Mar 15, 2018 12:24 PM
Rainmaker
5,585,039
Barbara Todaro
Retired...Mentoring Newbies - Franklin, MA
Previously Affiliated with The Todaro Team

yes, I know how to use that....

Mar 15, 2018 12:23 PM
Rainer
216,960
Sharon Altier
Coldwell Banker Realty - Elmhurst, IL
Luxury Property Specialist, CSC, SFR

While they SHOULD work like your old locker lock, they never have seemed to for me; when I have encountered them.  I would take a padlock lock over this one any day.  These seemed to be a bit tempermental and frustrating.  Ran into it once or twice and that was irritating enough for me.  

Mar 15, 2018 12:18 PM
Ambassador
3,235,665
Liz and Bill Spear
Transaction Alliance 513.520.5305 www.WarrenCountyOhioRealEstate.com - Mason, OH
Transaction Alliance Cincinnati & Dayton suburbs

I see them on occasion, and sometimes the listing agent hasn't bothered to change it from the factory default, or then entire brokerage uses the same 3 letter combo.  They better hope an agent near goes to a life of crime, because they could have a field day looting that brokerage's listings.

Mar 15, 2018 12:16 PM
Rainmaker
5,774,106
Ron and Alexandra Seigel
Napa Consultants - Carpinteria, CA
Luxury Real Estate Branding, Marketing & Strategy

Yes, they are reminiscent of high school locks...A

Mar 15, 2018 12:16 PM
Rainmaker
5,179,802
Richard Weeks
Dallas, TX
REALTOR®, Broker

They use to drive me crazy; however, eventually I would get them open.

Mar 15, 2018 12:09 PM
Rainmaker
936,618
Jeff Pearl
Samson Properties / LIC in VA - Lovettsville, VA
Full Service Full Time Realtor

I still see them in use. Most opened ok without problem. Sometimes it was harder to push that button down and get a good enough grip to pull it forward, than it was to spin the combo.

Mar 15, 2018 12:01 PM
Rainmaker
519,824
Dan Tabit
Keller Williams Bellevue - Sammamish, WA

I use similar ones to this for contractors, never had an issue but they are familiar with them I guess, or they ask someone else for advice. 

Mar 15, 2018 11:59 AM