In our broker's forum today we got an update on the soon to be coming electronic lockboxes. The target rollout date for the Honolulu Board of REALTORS ® for electronic lockboxes if August 1, 2008.
The product and system selected by the Board is the SentriLock, REALTOR® Electronic Lockbox. The company has developed a new product to meet our needs in Hawaii. The new box is not pictured on their website yet. The key box is larger than those in other boxes to support the various types of keys and cards for elevators, gates etc., along with the standard door keys. The box is made of materials that will resist things like salt air and mold or mildew. The new box is also smaller and lighter than their current model.
Today I got to handle the new box and was quite impressed. It has several features that make it exciting to me:
Some of their features that I am looking forward to are:
- Ability to take manual codes along with electronic smart card
- Up to 9 different 1-day codes
- Contractor codes
- Illuminated key pad
- Agent showing statistics
- Metal non-rusting case
- Durable replaceable cover
- Replaceable battery and low battery warning
- Internet based administration
- The ability for the seller to disable it when they are home
- The ability to preset showing hours, turning it off during odd hours
- The key uses an inexpensive smart chip technology.
With this model of lockbox we will be able to implement them without requiring everyone to participate. The ability to operate in both electronic and manual makes this box quite desirable.
You'll ove it...we've used electronic boxes for over 10 years. Wait till you see the perks...like knowing who showed your listings without going to the property to pick up their cards....
Michael - They had electronic boxes several years ago here and they bombed out. This time I am sure will stick.
From a Kalaheo grad 77. working in Las Vegas. You will not be disappointed with the new boxes. We have been using them about a year.
Aloha
Tom Garcia
Tom - I am looking forward to them. the new design looks exceptionally good.
Eric - I am sure we will.
We converted to Sentrolock lasdt summer. I am pleased with them and love the electronic tracking. We do have to updae our cars daily but not a huge deal especially if you are not showing property every day. Everyone uses them for the most part although REOs and short sales are sometimes combo boxes.
Jeff
You will really enjoy them. I can not imagine going back to a keybox.
your friend in Charlottesville
Randy,
We have had supra products monopolize our area...so if you want an ELBX you must pay about $100 for each one...they are much better than combos because you can't break into them as easy and they keep record of all agents that show on my PC. My problem is the Dade board refuses to supply them to their agents which causes a problem when they want to show my listings...I do not use combos much for safety reasons...I do not like that we are charged so much for them but every agent who shows property should have the keypad a few boxes.
Tom - The one day codes are great for those who do not have electronic keys. You also get the data from they entered.
Charles - I am anxious to get them up and running.
Neal - With our new box that won't be a problem. We can give manual codes to gain access for non-members or for members who have not bought in to the system.
We have the supra in my area of Connecticut. They cost $78.00, plus a quarterly fee to maintain the system. They need to have a matching keypad, which, is an expense, too. We are not supposed to share our keypad, though, people do. They need to be updated every day, it used to be once a month. Some people like them, some do not use them. I have about a dozen of the supra's and two dozen of the combination. One of our boards stopped offering the combination lockboxes, they make money selling the electronic boxes. I like the features you mention about the Sentrolock. Hope it comes our way:) ps, Hawaii is one of my goals! Hope to get there, soon!
It's a Good Life!
Fran
Frances - The price of your's sound close to what our's will cost once the program gets up and rolling. We will have a couple of months or so where we can buy them at a huge discount for the roll-out period.
Look us up when you make the trip to Hawaii.
Supra user here - just got the new ActiveKey. Need to buy the car charger as the battery can drain in less than 2 days especially if you have to use the flashlight feature.
Regardless of the brand, electronic lockboxes have helped me forget the nightmares of driving many miles to pick up keys at offices and being at the mercy of the listing agent's schedule.
A neighboring board just switched to Sentriock & had my first experience using it this weekend.
Seems to work great, no complaints.
We are switching to them next month. Not looking forward to the transition but do like the electronic lock boxes.
Eric - I am really looking forward to them. I am sure with the amount of energy our Board put into this conversion, it will be good.
Scott - Good luck, I am sure it will have positive results.
Aloha Randy,
At last relief! I've struggled many times with lock boxes and have found most of the current models to be of poor design. The latest model sounds amazing! Thanks for the post.
Peace,
Kimo - The latest update is they will be rolled out in August 2008.