(Updated 7/16/2011) In my last article on this subject “The importantance of a lockbox when selling your Simi Valley Home” we discussed the importance of giving flexible access.  A concern for any seller when giving access to their home is security.   In this article I will discuss the GE Supra iBox vs. an old style combination box and how that affects your listing agent’s ability to track who has been in your home..

To the right is a picture of a combination style lock box.  While these are effective in providing an extra key, once the combination is given out there is no way to track who has opened the box or control people from giving the combination code to others.  These style boxes are ideal for family members or setting up access for handymen or utility providers if the home owner so desires, but this is a very poor choice for Simi Valley Real Estate Agent showings due to the lack of control.  These mechanical combination lockboxes should only be used for temporary purposes and in my profession recommendation never use this type of box for giving access to agents who want to show your home.

In my trade area (including Simi Valley and Moorpark) the SoCal MLS and the Ventura County Regional MLS have chosen to use General Electric’s Supra iBox lockbox system.  This blue iBox is controlled through an infrared communication device on the front of the box.  Agents can rent an electronic key pad or have apps loaded onto any PDA Smart phone.  There is an additional device that pairs with Android and non Apple Smart Phones so the real estate agent’s phone can communicate via infrared. Apple iPhones have a very small device the plugs into the bottom of the phone.

The iBox has a computer chip inside that stores data on all who enter through the box.  The Smart Phones and the keypads call the system every 15 mins when the software is on or the key pad is powered up and transmits which properties the agent has accessed.  If the Listing Agent has registered their lockboxes and has their current email address in the GE Supra system, the Listing agent will receive an email  almost immediately after any of their lockboxes are accessed.  The email contains the agent name and contact information of who just opened the box.  This provides security in that the listing agent knows at all times who has accessed the property with a time a date stamp and if a real estate agent has not paid their bill or is disciplined by the MLS, the system can be set to not authorize their keypad or smart phone to open any of the boxes.

The software on these computerized lockboxes allows for some very flexible programming. For example, the weekdays, Saturday and Sunday can be programmed so the boxes will open only certain times.

If you really want to crank down on who gets in your Simi Valley home, there is a CBS setting. The Call Before Showing (CBS) setting requires the buyer’s agent to call the Listing Agent for an additional unique code to open the box. Using the CBS you could prescreen the agent calling and determine if you are comfortable enough to give out the CBS. Additionally you know right then and there who is going in and at what time.  Please remember that the more restrictive you are with the times buyers can view your home, the fewer showing you will get as I pointed out in the last article The importantance of a lockbox when selling your Simi Valley Home“.

There is a note section in the software so a note will pop up right after the box is opened and you can type in any important notices for the agent, for example, “please leave your card or please turn off the lights”.  ”Feed the dog or take out the trash” is probably not a good way to greet a buyer’s agent.  Another positive feature is that the Listing agent can put their contact information in as a virtual business card and Listing comments as an electronic flyer.  When used as designed and programmed properly, the iBox lockbox system not only becomes powerful tool to increase exposure, but help provide a record of who is accessing the property and a complimentary way to help follow up on potential buyers for your Simi Valley home.

As a side note,  most properties that have been foreclosed on and are now owned by the bank, will use both boxes.  I work with several banks as a listing agent for their Simi Valley properties.  The mechanical lockboxes are used for bank personnel only, handymen etc.  Those codes are not supposed to be given to real estate agents.

The Supra iBox costs a Simi Valley Real Estate Agent approximately $130.00, I own 25 boxes.  When you are interviewing agents, ask if they have a Supra iBox.  If they don’t or they suggest to use a mechanical box; please take this advise, stop the interview and show them the door.  Homes for Sale in Simi Valley range from $150,000 (condos) in to the millions; I think it is reasonable to assume a listing agent can afford a $130 box.

There is an argument against any use of any box and that the listing agent needs to be present for all showings. That can be an article all by itself.  The short answer is that Simi Valley is a bedroom community,  people have conflicting schedules, a listing agent can only be in one place at one time.  Why limit the times a potential buyer can see your home?  And no, a listing agent cannot do a better job selling or touring the prospective buyer; many times the listing agent becomes an annoyance to the the buyer and their agent.  It really does not mater how it is done in other parts of southern California or other parts of the country, it only matters how it is done in Simi Valley because your competition (the other Simi Valley homes for sale) are using the system very effectively.  Don’t be the last to sell your home over lack of access.

Originally posted April 27, 2008.