Disadvantages of Lockboxes and Unassisted Showings

Disadvantages of Lockboxes and Unassisted Showings

I was talking with one of our agents the other day, and she showed a client of hers another real estate firm’s listings that had a lockbox on it. She was asked many questions by the buyer pertaining to the property, which she could not answer because the other Realtor® was not present. I have always felt that unassisted showings were not in the best interest of sellers and that lockboxes can be problematic without the listing agent present at the showings.

What types of lockboxes are commonly used?

  • Combination lockboxes 

    This convenient gadget contains the home’s key, allowing the buyer’s agent and their clients to access the home when the seller isn’t there. A spin-dial or push-button combination is used. 


  • Electronic lockboxes

    These Bluetooth-enabled lockboxes are connected to an app that agents must use to access a personal code to open the box. This provides enhanced safety because the codes are trackable to see who opened the box and the time they showed the property.

However, the real problem is unassisted showings.

Think about it: you’ve hired an experienced Realtor® to list your property, and wouldn’t you expect them to show your property vs. putting a lockbox on your home? The benefit of a listing agent being present at the showing allows the agent to showcase the property and all of its highlights, including property boundaries, septic, well, & heating components, and at the same time, make sure that the property and contents are secure when all parties leave. Additionally, we live in a region where 20-60% of the homes are vacation properties where the owners are out of town and the properties need much more oversight.

Here are some examples of what can happen with an unassisted showing using a lockbox:

  • I saw one example years ago where an agent from another office showed another Realtors® home using the lockbox unassisted. The agent came up from the basement and flipped off the oil burner switch, thinking it was the light switch, and left with their clients. Unfortunately, it was January, and it was a second home. The owner was away, and the pipes froze. The water damage was so severe that the entire house needed to be stripped to the studs, resulting in huge damage because the heating pipe that burst was on the second floor. If the listing agent had been present at the showing and had closed up the house properly, this major liability would have been avoided. 
  • It is possible that the showing agent could miss checking all the door locks and windows when leaving. There have been cases when the “so-called buyers” opened the lock on the lower slider or a window while viewing the property and later went back and stole some of the owner’s valuables. If the listing agent had been present at the showing, the agent would make sure that the property was completely secure after the buyer and their agent exited the home. This includes checking all rooms, door locks, window locks, light switches, and floodlights are turned off.
  • A real estate agent could accidentally reveal the code to the lockbox. They may have it written down somewhere which could get lost at the property or at the office, or provide the access code to vendors who do some work on the seller’s home. 
  • A lockbox attached to a home’s doorknob often advertises that the house is empty, and you really don’t want to invite burglars or squatters who can damage the house or steal its contents. 
  • With a lockbox/unassisted showing, the listing agent is not there to answer questions about the property while the buyer is there. Also the listing agent can point out details of the home that the buyer might miss. After all, you’ve hired the listing agent to market and sell your home, so why would the agent not be present? 
  • Homeowners generally dislike having strangers look through their property. Sellers, therefore, feel more comfortable having their agent attend showings and make sure the property is secure and supervised. They also like to get feedback from the listing agent after the showing. If you’re not present to interact with the buyer, it’s difficult to provide feedback to the seller. 
  • If the house is totally green or has incredible technology, solar enhancement, energy conservation construction techniques, and is located in an association with covenants, restrictions, and dues, it would be helpful to have the listing agent present to go over the details. You might have right of ways or easements to explain or tree cutting rights or access to a lake details. If it’s new construction, there’s an unlimited number of questions to go over, such as landscaping and appliances, cabinet allowances, floor covering choices, heating options, and a host of other questions you need from the listing agent who represents the seller. 
  • When a listing agent is present at all showings, they are able to monitor the comments on the property, especially on the price, to keep the seller informed of price reductions or improvements if needed.
  • I’ve seen agents just show the home or condo in a planned community and not even show the amenities which add tremendous value. Take South Down Shores & Long Bay or The Grouse Point Club, for example, almost a mile of shorefront at the first of two communities, sandy beaches, pools, yacht club, boat storage racks, tennis courts, clubhouses, boat slips, and walking trails plus a 7,000 sf. clubhouse/indoor pool facility at Grouse Point. A good listing agent showing the property has an opportunity to show the huge benefit you gain when purchasing within a planned community with all of the amenities. Also, all of the covenants, restrictions, and association dues can be fully explained.

In summary, there are certainly advantages to using a lockbox, especially the convenience factor; however, you have to weigh the disadvantages of simply putting a lockbox on a home and offering it for sale without assisted showings from your listing agent. I’m old school and I’m proud of all of our Realtors® at Roche Realty Group who work hard to best represent and protect their sellers. It’s a lot of work attending all of the showings however, isn’t it why we were hired in the first place?

This article was written by Frank Roche. Frank is president of Roche Realty Group in Meredith, NH, and can be reached at (603) 279-7046. Please feel free to visit www.rocherealty.com to learn more about the Lakes Region and its real estate market.

Thinking of Selling Your Property?

Let our expert team guide you through a seamless selling process. Get top market value for your home with our proven marketing strategies and local expertise.
Four Seasons Condominiums, located at 883 Weirs Boulevard and Paugus Bay.

5 Years of Sales Activity at Four Seasons Condominiums

When you navigate the shores of Lake Winnipesaukee and Paugus Bay, there are many water-access ...
Read More →
5 Years of Sales Activity at Paugus Bay Racquet Club

5 Years of Sales Activity at Paugus Bay Racquet Club

When you navigate the shores of Lake Winnipesaukee and Paugus Bay, there are many water-access ...
Read More →
Waldron Bay on Lake Winnisquam with 3,482 feet of shorefront.

Exclusive Waldron Bay Market Report: Is It Time to Cash In?

There are so many water-access communities in the Lakes Region to consider when looking for ...
Read More →
Winter Wonders in New Hampshire’s Lakes Region: A Season of Adventure and Tradition

Winter Wonders in New Hampshire’s Lakes Region: A Season of Adventure and Tradition

As snow covers the Lakes Region of New Hampshire, the area becomes a winter destination ...
Read More →
Balmoral – One of Winnipesaukee’s Original Water Access Communities

Balmoral – One of Winnipesaukee’s Original Water Access Communities

There are so many water-access communities in the Lakes Region that provide great memories. Let’s ...
Read More →
Four Years of Sales Activity at the Village of Winnipesaukee

Four Years of Sales Activity at the Village at Winnipesaukee

The Lakes Region of New Hampshire is known for its rural communities, quaint towns, scenic ...
Read More →
Suissevale on Lake Winnipesaukee – a Popular Community in Moultonborough

Suissevale on Lake Winnipesaukee – a Popular Community in Moultonborough

When you navigate the shores of Lake Winnipesaukee, there are 71 square miles of water ...
Read More →
Gunstock Acres in Gilford: 7 Years of Sales Activity

Gunstock Acres in Gilford: 7 Years of Sales Activity

We have so many interesting communities in the Lakes Region. Let’s take a look at ...
Read More →
Lakeside Setting at Long Bay and South Down Shores

Four Years of Sales Activity at South Down Shores and Long Bay

South Down Shores and Long Bay on Lake Winnipesaukee are two very popular water access ...
Read More →
Real Estate Goals: From Dream to Reality in 2025

Real Estate Goals: From Dream to Reality in 2025

As we approach the new year, it’s the perfect time to turn your real estate ...
Read More →
Wolfeboro New Hampshire Community Bandstand

New Hampshire’s Real Estate Data to Date

The excitement of the holiday season and Christmas approaching this week often comes from the ...
Read More →
Why Home Inspection by Licensed Home Inspectors are Critical

Why Home Inspections Are Critical

We have a competitive market here in the Lakes Region due to the lack of ...
Read More →
Lakes Region's Future: Balancing Natural Beauty and Urban Growth

Lakes Region’s Future: Balancing Natural Beauty and Urban Growth

When you drive around the Lakes Region, you will see a considerable amount of new ...
Read More →
12 Essential Winter Home Maintenance Tips for New Hampshire Homeowners

12 Winter Home Maintenance Must-Dos for New Hampshire

Winter in New Hampshire brings its unique set of challenges for homeowners. From freezing temperatures, ...
Read More →
Roche Realty Group Launches Toys for Tots Drive in Meredith

Roche Realty Group Launches Toys for Tots Drive in Meredith

Spreading Holiday Cheer in the Lakes Region! Roche Realty Group is happy to announce its ...
Read More →
Shop Local at Small Business Saturday in NH’s Lakes Region

Shop Local at Small Business Saturday in New Hampshire’s Lakes Region

We have so many things to be thankful for here in New Hampshire: plenty of ...
Read More →
Emily Brock Joins Roche Realty Group

Emily Brock Joins Roche Realty Group

MEREDITH – Frank Roche, President of Roche Realty Group, Inc, is pleased to announce that ...
Read More →
Inflated Asset Classes and the National Debt

Inflated Asset Classes and the National Debt

A question all of us get asked is have we gotten ahead of ourselves in ...
Read More →
Waterfront Home Sales Activity on 10 of our Lakes Region Area Lakes

Waterfront Home Sales Activity on 10 of our Area Lakes

Most of the leaves have fallen, and political signs are disappearing in the Lakes Region. ...
Read More →
Woman hiking at Artist's Bluff in autumn. View of Echo Lake. Fall colours in Franconia Notch State Park. White Mountain National Forest, New Hampshire, USA

New Hampshire Named Second Safest State in America

In recent years, the country has faced increasing public safety challenges and severe climate events. ...
Read More →
Lots Of Activities Left in The Lake’s Region heading towards the end of fall

Lots Of Activities Left in The Lake’s Region Before Winter Arrives

A burst of warm weather & the crisp air of autumn has extended our fall ...
Read More →
join us for a festive celebration at Twin Barns in Meredith on Sunday, October 20th starting at noon as we raise a glass to the release of the Official Beer of the NH Pumpkin Festival!

NH Pumpkin Festival’s Beer Release Party at Twin Barn in Meredith

The peak foliage and perfect fall weather is as good as it gets in the ...
Read More →
Wolfeboro Waterfront New Hampshire Lakes Region Market Update for 9 Months

Lakes Region Market Update for 9 Months

It’s Columbus Day weekend, with lots of visitors enjoying the fall spectacle of color. I ...
Read More →
The Evolution of the Lakes Region: Balancing Growth and Tranquility

The Evolution of the Lakes Region: Balancing Growth and Tranquility

The Lakes Region of New Hampshire, known for its picturesque landscapes, serene waters, and small-town ...
Read More →
Mountain Bliss: Hiking the Peaks of New Hampshire in Autumn

Mountain Bliss: Hiking the Peaks of New Hampshire in Autumn

This past Tuesday was a bright, sunny autumn day, and I had no appointments scheduled, ...
Read More →
Why Fall is the Perfect Time to Sell Your Home in the Lakes Region

Why Fall is the Perfect Time to Sell Your Home in the Lakes Region

The fall season in New Hampshire’s Lakes Region offers a unique and strategic opportunity for ...
Read More →
Important Fed Decision and The Fall Market in The Lakes Region

Important Fed Decision and The Fall Market in The Lakes Region

On Wednesday, we received the much-anticipated Federal Reserve decision to slash its key overnight borrowing ...
Read More →
New Hampshire Housing Market Trends Broadview Condos in Gilford, New Hampshire

New Hampshire Housing Market Trends

New Hampshire’s housing market has been hitting the national airwaves and the Granite State has ...
Read More →
Second Home Market in The Lakes Region

Second Home Market in The Lakes Region

While practicing real estate in the Lakes Region during the past 48 years, I’ve always ...
Read More →
Meredith, New Hampshire. As summer fades into fall, the Lakes Region bids farewell to another season of sun-soaked days and bustling activity.

Goodbye Summer, Hello Fall

This summer has been one for the books in the Lakes Region. The area saw ...
Read More →
Disadvantages of Lockboxes and Unassisted Showings

Disadvantages of Lockboxes and Unassisted Showings

I was talking with one of our agents the other day, and she showed a ...
Read More →
Price Drops and Hot Sales: Inside New Hampshire’s Housing Market

Price Drops and Hot Sales: Inside New Hampshire’s Housing Market

On August 10th, I was reading an article on SmartNews called “If you live in ...
Read More →
Lakes Region Market Update for 7 Months

Lakes Region Market Update for 7 Months

Summer has been flying by, so I researched the closed real estate market activity for ...
Read More →
New Restaurant Hotspots You Need to Visit in the Lakes Region

New Must-visit Restaurants in the Lakes Region

The restaurant industry is a driver of economic growth and an integral part of the ...
Read More →
New Hampshire Housing Trends and Forecast

New Hampshire Housing Trends and Forecast

The New Hampshire housing market in 2024 is marked by increasing home prices and a ...
Read More →
Significant Land Sales in New Hampshire

Significant Land Sales in New Hampshire

As the summer of 2024 unfolds, the New Hampshire real estate market has seen a ...
Read More →

Inventory Shortage Impacts New Hampshire Housing Affordability

Real estate prices have continued to accelerate in New Hampshire after we saw a historic ...
Read More →
New Hampshire Advantage and Lakes Region Accolades

The New Hampshire and Lakes Region Advantage

We had a great Fourth of July in the Lakes Region, where we celebrated our ...
Read More →
New Hampshire's Fourth of July and Real Estate Boom

New Hampshire’s Fourth of July and Real Estate Boom

The Summer season is off and running, and it’s time to break out those fireworks! ...
Read More →
Summer in the Lakes Region on Little Squam

Ready, Set, Summer in the Lakes Region!

As the rumble of motorcycle engines fades into the background, the Lakes Region of New ...
Read More →
Manchester, New Hampshire, USA Skyline on the Merrimack River at dusk.

New Hampshire Cities in Top Hottest Housing Markets

New Hampshire keeps showing up on the radar as one of the hottest housing markets ...
Read More →
South Down Shores & Long Bay: Real Estate Market Analysis

South Down Shores and Long Bay: Market Trends

South Down Shores and Long Bay on Lake Winnipesaukee are two very popular water access ...
Read More →
Lake House Dreaming: Steps to Make It a Reality

Lake House Dreaming: Make It a Reality

Owning a waterfront home in New Hampshire’s Lakes Region is a treasured experience. For many ...
Read More →
Memorial Day

Beyond the BBQ: A Symphony of Remembrance and Summer Joy in the NH Lakes Region

Memorial Day serves as the official kick-off to summer in the Lakes Region. Towns ready ...
Read More →
Welcome to New Hampshire's Lakes Region

Welcome to New Hampshire’s Lakes Region

New Hampshire’s Lakes Region is one of the most stunningly beautiful places in the United ...
Read More →
The Granite State: Top Spot for Relocation in 2024

The Granite State: Top Spot for Relocation in 2024

New Hampshire just garnered major recognition as the best state to relocate to in 2024 ...
Read More →
Real Estate Sales Insights: Lakes Region Market Update

Real Estate Sales Insights: Lakes Region Market Update

It’s hard to believe we’ve already churned through 4 months of 2024. I researched the ...
Read More →
Market Trends – Spring 2024

Market Trends – Spring 2024

As a Realtor®, I’m always paying attention to the real estate market. I’m often asked ...
Read More →
Temperance Tavern in Gilmanton Sold

The Historic Temperance Tavern in Gilmanton Sold

Gilmanton—According to Frank Roche of Roche Realty Group in Meredith, the historic Temperance Tavern in ...
Read More →
Needs and Wants When Buying a Home Balanced

Balancing Needs and Wants When Buying a Home

In the current housing market, where choices are often limited, and demand frequently outstrips supply, ...
Read More →

Leave a Comment