I know we could all write a book about Adventures in Home Showings.... but this has been a very interesting couple of weeks....

Last week:  Saw Infomercial headquarters.  This house had every product of the infomercials out there...my client was first to notice.

Saturday: Getting stuck in the mud with clients was quite the adventure after a rainy couple of days and an unpaved drive.

Tuesday:  Picture this... paint smell in basement of "older" home.....  walls don't appear to be recently painted.... floor doesn't appear to be recently painted... WHAT??? They spray painted in Black the entire ceiling of unfinished basement - sprayed wires, duct work, electric junction boxes, the whole works! 

Today:  Notable water in basement along a part of a wall.....  a toy football clogging the downspout/drain of the roof where water is pooled above the basement.  (I tried, couldn't reach the football, but I'll call the listing agent!)

The stories never end, do they? You just keep adding to the book, I suppose..... its an adventure out there!

Our local association of REALTORS(R) in Chester County and Delaware County, Suburban West Realtors Association is making the move from the "old" electronic lockboxes

to the new i-beam electronic lockboxes!

I'm one of the unusual Chester County Realtors, I'm excited and looking forward to the change.  One of the big reasons is that I will be decreasing the amount of gadgets/stuff that I'll have to carry around with me - the software is compatible with my Verizon XV6700 Mobile PC !!!  It's happening in a couple of weeks, I can't wait!

Here are my Plus-Points:

• Less Gadgets - it works with my cell phone!
• Trade one-for-one the old for the new
• Every agent has to make the switch in a two-day period
• Listing agent receives an email when the home is shown  (I won't be selling security monitoring to my sellers though)
• Listing agent can monitor lockbox activity online (as with the old ones)
• They're blue... I'll be able to find them easier when not on the door!
• Agents without compatible phones will have a new display key - with built in flashlight! Great idea!
• Wireless automatic updates

Here are my Minus-Points:

• We have to make the switch in two days. Run! Grab lockboxes off of listings - take to trade in - run! Put them back on so the home can get shown!
• They're blue.... eyesore?
• Agents will be complaining and whining for a while

Here are my Questions:

• Will the i-beam device still work if there isn't cell service (I'm guessing yes)
• Can other agents still release shackle and bring you lockbox on settlement day (Apparently, when you release the shackle, the lockbox will automatically be added to your inventory list)

Why do people still use combination lockboxes? I really feel they are not as secure as electronic....