There are pros and cons to both. The electronic lockboxes like the e-key and Sentrilock provide information relative to who has accessed the box and when, as well as provide a website to enable easy tracking and reporting. The flip side of electronic boxes is that, as with any type of technology, there are times when they don't necessarily work as intended. There have been a few times where the box just wouldn't open, with my key or anyone else's(three times in nearly seven years, though). Agents have inadvertently put them on "do not disturb" making them only accessible by the listing agent.
The combination boxes generally do not have problems opening when the agent has the correct combination. However, if they are placed where they can get wet, then the temperature drops below freezing, they can be very difficult to open. Also, if someone other than an agent knows the combination, they have access to the home. I like to use electronic boxes except for on homes located where two or more MLS areas overlap, which eliminates problems with card or key reciprocity.

Fri May 9 2008, 06:42

The electronic lockbox is expensive, but offers better security and more immediate feedback/follow-up opportunity...probably worth the extra cost.

Thu May 8 2008, 20:41

Hi Hadjer,
I love the lock box, it tells you how many people have been there and who has entered. I do use the combo on empty homes because there is no personal items in them. If someone wants to break into a home they are going to do it no matter what. I always make an extra key of my listings just in case a realtor does not put it back in the box.

Mon May 5 2008, 09:39

I have to say, I prefer the e-key. I work two markets, one with combo and one with e-key. With the e-key, I always know and my sellers know when someone has been in the listing. I have had issues with listings that are on the combo system - missing keys, combo boxes being removed from the door, vacant property being accessed and used for other purposes. While the e-key may be inconvenient for some, it is a great control measure for sellers.

Thu Apr 24 2008, 04:57

The electronic Lock Box is the way to go. It gives security to your sellers. It tells the Realtor exactly who has entered and when. It is time for all Realtors to embrace technology and use the new electronic lock boxes. It is simply, in the seller's best interest.

Thu Apr 24 2008, 02:18

I only use the e-box. For the sake of both feedback (I get emailed daily with the list of agents who opened the box) as well as the sense of security for the seller (even if a vacant property). Plus having a record of the date and time of lockbox openings creates a record of home inspections, appraisals, etc. LOVE IT.

Wed Apr 2 2008, 12:16

Gotta love the E-box. Anybody can get a combination. Too many companies out there use the same combo's for all their boxes. Also the keys can fall behind the mechanism and jam it.

Wed Apr 2 2008, 05:41

Love the lockbox. It works well for me and I feel more confident using them on my listings. The combos stick and if the agent didn't give you the right combination you cannot get in. I think lockboxes are one of the single greatest inventions to take away stress from our business. (As long as you remember to update it).

Wed Apr 2 2008, 00:31

Personally I like and try to use electronic lockboxes whenever possible. You have the safety and knowledge of who is using the lockbox. Around here (Boston) the ekeys have to be updated weekly, not many using the palm version yet due to the rather high monthly fee charged by the local MLS. Seems some towns use combo more (can't forget your fingers I guess), although I feel that any buyers agent should invest in their business and have the tools needed to do their job correctly.

Tue Apr 1 2008, 22:48

Hi Hadjer,
Good question!
I work in an area that is on th e border between 2 MLS systems, and each one has a different electronic key box, both recently updated. My preference is the combo for anything that might need to be accessed from both sets of agents, for some of the same reasons as stated by Stacy and Bill. If a listing is well with in one MLS area, the ekey seems to be the preference as virtually all the agents have their key with them. As a listing agent, I want to make the property as accessible as possible to potential showing agents, and the combo also gets them in touch with me directly to get the code.
Hope that helps

Tue Apr 1 2008, 22:20

Hi Hadjer, I work in both MA and CT. In Massachusetts we use combo lock boxes almost exclusively. In Connecticut it is a mix - about 80% electronic and 20% combo. As Bill mentioned, one of the downsides of the electronic boxes is the management involved. As a Buyer's agent in CT I have an electronic key which I use to open the lock box. It is updated over the phone lines, but the cradle it charges and updates on is only good with analog phone lines - most lines are digital now so I have to update the key by hand every day that I have showings scheduled. It is also an expense which is not the case with the combo boxes.

The real benefit of the electronic boxes is the tracking ability Bill mentions for the listing agent. As your question was framed from the showing side - I have to say the combo boxes are my preference hands down. Stacey

Tue Apr 1 2008, 21:41

It all depends on what features the electronic lock boxes in your state offer. In our deep dark past, our metro list jumped in bed with an elect. Lock box company and forced all agents to buy, submit to monthly fees and an endless process of re certifying ourselves - each month. All appraisers and inspectors had to also join the nightmare to get access to the property. Needless to say, it was a massive disaster. In about 6 months, they all gave in to the agents and we were finally rid of elect. Lock boxes.

BUT, this summer the elect. lock boxes have been reinvented for the Denver area. The new and improved 3rd or 4th generation elect. lock boxes do not require agents, appraisers nor inspectors to pay a membership fee to have access to the box. (MUCH improved) The new boxes will allow participating members to simply swipe their credit card on the box to gain access. No more dialing the three letter codes or properly aligning the 4 or 5 numbers. Non participating members such as appraisers or inspectors can still use the old style combination to gain access. The cool feature is that the listing agent can set the box to allow access with the combination code or credit card ONCE per person. So, if the agent wants to gain access again next week, a new authorization will be required. The same applies to appraisers and inspectors.

This would be a wonderful feature on any property; especially vacant listings. If anything is ever missing from a listing, it sure would be nice to know who was in the property last.

I have to admit that I was extremely opposed to the original elect. lock boxes because they required everyone to pay a monthly fee and re-establish membership authorization codes every month via an 800 phone number. The process took upwards of 3 to 4 minutes every month – often on my cell phone in the car with clients waiting – because I forgot when my 30 day period expired. But, I will willingly buy the new and improved version of elect. boxes. Everything can be done over the internet and we do not need to re-register every 30 days.

Your decision on the elect. lock boxes will easily be made depending on the features, ease of operation and user friendliness of the boxes in your community.

Tue Apr 1 2008, 20:44