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Replies (18)
- Dan, "the_country_hick"
- Contributions:4699
Why not just go to the hardware store and buy new locks?
That is both cheaper and gives all new instead of used locks that could be well worn. Besides, using a locksmith means they now have the ability to give your key to someone else.
A few minutes with a #2 phillips screwdriver will replace all locks in a short time.
p.s. this is self promotion and defined as spam here on zillow.
That is both cheaper and gives all new instead of used locks that could be well worn. Besides, using a locksmith means they now have the ability to give your key to someone else.
A few minutes with a #2 phillips screwdriver will replace all locks in a short time.
p.s. this is self promotion and defined as spam here on zillow.
- Kitty B Stockton, "KittyBStockton"
- Contributions:130
Dan, I don't know about the first post-er, but as a Professiona real estate broker, I think the main point is that it is a good idea to change the locks. If you are capable, then you are the perfect choice!! Just "get it done"!! in the interest of security.
- S. Chris Webb, "PHX AZ RE BROKER"
- Contributions:411
For new landlords, we recommend changing out all the locks between tenants with Kwikset Smart Key locks. Once installed (like Dan said, simple D-I-Y), you can easily re-key them yourself. A one-time purchase can save you hundreds of dollars in professional re-keys down the road. For our own house, we use a combination lock that is also Smart Key. It's a lot more expensive, but we can give family and friends their own personal, temporary combo. No worries about lost keys. Even if you don't change out to Smart Key, DO re-key or change the locks when a house changes ownership. Who knows who out there has a copy of the key.
- sunnyview
- Contributions:25139
True story time...my family and I lease a house in nice neighborhood. One day I went outside to get the newspaper in my pj's and bare feet. My young son followed me, dutifully closed the door and promptly locked us both out.
I went next door to the neighbors to call someone to get a key made, but could not get a locksmith out for another 2-3 hours. Suddenly, the neighbor mentioned that another neighbor had rented that house 4-5 years ago when he was building his own custom house down the street. Unbelievably, that guy still had a key that worked to get us back in. I was happy and grateful, but then horrified to think who else had a key.
Just goes to show you never really know who has a key to your house or rental.
I went next door to the neighbors to call someone to get a key made, but could not get a locksmith out for another 2-3 hours. Suddenly, the neighbor mentioned that another neighbor had rented that house 4-5 years ago when he was building his own custom house down the street. Unbelievably, that guy still had a key that worked to get us back in. I was happy and grateful, but then horrified to think who else had a key.
Just goes to show you never really know who has a key to your house or rental.
- Brad Bergamini, "PrescottBrad"
- Contributions:175
Not sure I like the self promotion but I agree. Not only should you re-key. It is a good idea to change the garage door opener codes.
Just a thought.
Just a thought.
Home depot will rekey the locks for a very low price, even cheaper than buying new ones... which is already pretty cheap!
I buy a contractor pack of locks/deadbolts each time I buy a property, and cchange every lock on the house. Front door, back door, garage door, storage door. takes an hour or two...
Also, if my mail goes to a community mailbox, I leave a note to the mailman to leave it open, and change the lock. those little locks cost less than $10.
I buy a contractor pack of locks/deadbolts each time I buy a property, and cchange every lock on the house. Front door, back door, garage door, storage door. takes an hour or two...
Also, if my mail goes to a community mailbox, I leave a note to the mailman to leave it open, and change the lock. those little locks cost less than $10.
- Teri Blakeley, "Teri Blakeley"
- Contributions:28
Yes, new home builders always re-key because of all the trades that have access to the home. Not changing your locks is an open invitation to all who have had previous access...
- Cathy Izumo, "Cathy Izumo"
- Contributions:3
Security is the first order of the day when a buyer moves into their new home. A good agent will make sure the locks are changed before their client takes possession, either by changing the locks or re-keying. Keep in mind a few factors when trying to decide to replace or re-key, however. Some high end properties have expensive hardware and that's when re-keying becomes a more cost effective option (some very high end hardware can't be re-keyed, you'd need to send the knob to a locksmith or the manufacturer). Also, I have had situations where we changed the knobs and had a very difficult time finding replacements, the holes were bored differently and the door either stuck or the key wouldn't turn after replacing. It would have been much easier in those situations to have just re-keyed.
- Pasadenan
- Contributions:21466
I agree with Dan and Roberto; buy the locks and do it yourself! Or take the locks in and have them re-keyed without an address attached!
Not only is it less expensive, faster and easier, but not all lock smith employees are honest. Yes, likely the owner is honest, but it is not always the owner that comes out.
Anyone that re-keyed a lock knows the pin numbers and can make a key any time from the number!
Also, when you select a lock package, look for:
1) Keyholes that are narrow enough and curved enough to make it hard to put in a bobbie pin or pick
2) wide variation in the heights of the cuts in the key! It is much harder to hold the prior pins in place with the pick and turning the lock-set when the pin you are trying to set when opening is a substantially different height. If they are the same height, you can just set the back one while turning, and then pull the pick forward for the lock to open.
And don't just change the locks! Make sure you have a security deadbolt that goes at least 1" into the jamb, and a heavy duty strike plate to go with it. And if your door isn't solid, reinforce the door at all locksets with a wrap-around brass plate.
Remember, it is usually faster to open a door with a crowbar than a key. And even with a deadbolt, if your door or jamb is not solid it is often easy to kick the door in.
And even if you secured all the doors, most windows can be opened from the outside with a screw driver in less than 30 seconds without breaking the glass. And if someone really wants in, they will break the glass.
So don't just address the doors, but also the windows, and the exterior lighting, and the automatic lighting, and the motion sensors, and the video cameras.
And even more important, when you "move in"; don't let all the neighbors see all your junk! Take it in when they are not looking, or where they can't see it; and don't unpack the boxes in the open.
Even when recycling your boxes, you need to be aware that some people determine "what you have" by the original boxes.
Not only is it less expensive, faster and easier, but not all lock smith employees are honest. Yes, likely the owner is honest, but it is not always the owner that comes out.
Anyone that re-keyed a lock knows the pin numbers and can make a key any time from the number!
Also, when you select a lock package, look for:
1) Keyholes that are narrow enough and curved enough to make it hard to put in a bobbie pin or pick
2) wide variation in the heights of the cuts in the key! It is much harder to hold the prior pins in place with the pick and turning the lock-set when the pin you are trying to set when opening is a substantially different height. If they are the same height, you can just set the back one while turning, and then pull the pick forward for the lock to open.
And don't just change the locks! Make sure you have a security deadbolt that goes at least 1" into the jamb, and a heavy duty strike plate to go with it. And if your door isn't solid, reinforce the door at all locksets with a wrap-around brass plate.
Remember, it is usually faster to open a door with a crowbar than a key. And even with a deadbolt, if your door or jamb is not solid it is often easy to kick the door in.
And even if you secured all the doors, most windows can be opened from the outside with a screw driver in less than 30 seconds without breaking the glass. And if someone really wants in, they will break the glass.
So don't just address the doors, but also the windows, and the exterior lighting, and the automatic lighting, and the motion sensors, and the video cameras.
And even more important, when you "move in"; don't let all the neighbors see all your junk! Take it in when they are not looking, or where they can't see it; and don't unpack the boxes in the open.
Even when recycling your boxes, you need to be aware that some people determine "what you have" by the original boxes.
- Pasadenan
- Contributions:21466
And of course brad is correct; change all remote control codes! There are stray remotes wandering around, and when people buy replacements, they are often set to the factory default, and when people install the openers, they often never bother to change to code.
- Spirit Messingham, "TucsonSpirit"
- Contributions:663
Here I thought I was going to answer a question, but see this is another example of a person asking a question and then answering it.
I advise to all clients, change the locks ASAP. You simply do not know who has a key, and after all the traffic that came through for the showings and etc. On top of that, REO and short sales, the past owners may not have left "willingly". If a person can do it themselves, nothing wrong with that. Quickset (spelling, I think there is a K in there somwhere) now offers a set where you can change out all the locks and have the same key, which is nice Vs having 6 kets for a house.
I advise to all clients, change the locks ASAP. You simply do not know who has a key, and after all the traffic that came through for the showings and etc. On top of that, REO and short sales, the past owners may not have left "willingly". If a person can do it themselves, nothing wrong with that. Quickset (spelling, I think there is a K in there somwhere) now offers a set where you can change out all the locks and have the same key, which is nice Vs having 6 kets for a house.
- SoCal_Engr
- Contributions:5667
I'll post "the othre side". In our neighborhood, we all moved in at abou the same time and frequently socialize with each other or homesit for period of time. As a result, pretty much every house on our street has one-or-more neighbors who have keys to get in.
In today's era it seems a bit strange, but it's nice to know pockets like this still exist.
Add Note: Keys get returned when houses are sold.
In today's era it seems a bit strange, but it's nice to know pockets like this still exist.
Add Note: Keys get returned when houses are sold.
- Teri Blakeley, "Teri Blakeley"
- Contributions:28
We are living in crazy times and with all the short sales and bank foreclosures you have previous home owners that may still view your new home as theirs...It is unfortunate that people can and may take out their angry on the new home owner. I not only sugguest re-key but maybe an alarm system if you do purchase a short sale or bank owned. Your family should feel safe in your new home and you want to build on happy memories in your new place and not the fear of having someone break into your home.
- Rex Fuller, "COREXRE"
- Contributions:110
Yuo don't have to hire a 'lock smith' to re-key your home. If you have any mechanical aptitude or a friend who does ...... I would personally go out and by replacement locks (typically all that is needed to be replaced is the actual locking cylinder in the lock) and do it myself. Locks can vary and newer locks can be more complicated ...... but in any event, doing the work yourself is usually less costly and something you can learn. But one thing is certain ...... changing the locks (or cylinders) is one of the very first things I do when I move).
- CopperStarSecurity
- Contributions:7
We perform mobile service for Realtors for only $65. [edited by Zillow moderator to remove website] It covers the first 6 locks and 4 new keys. You can go buy 6 new Kwikset (any other lower quality lock is not worth putting on your door) locks at home depot or lowes for about $75. Add tax, your time and gas, install labor, etc. and how much are you into it? Whats your time worth?xxxx service is a simple, low-cost solution to secure your home from past key holders, If you are calling a locksmith out of the yellow pages then yea you probably will pay too much. Almost everyday I perform service for clients that say their Realtor didn't recommend them to get a xxxxx or new locks. With the amount of short sales and foreclosures selling on the market, Realtors should take the time to find a good xxxx partner.
[brand name of service removed by Zillow moderator. Please refer to Good Neighbor Policy.]
[brand name of service removed by Zillow moderator. Please refer to Good Neighbor Policy.]
- Lori Hodgen, "lorihodgen"
- Contributions:82
I agree with other comments above, it doesn't matter if you diy or hire a locksmith, just REKEY the home! Also, don't forget to change the padlock on the backyard gate. My pool guy was going to check out a pool on a REO property, I told him I would meet him there to let him in and he stated no problem, he had all the different keys for the padlocks on the gates that all the banks use. I have since talked to several other pool cleaning companies and everyone of them have keys to the padlocks on the gates. Although they usually can't gain access to the house, it is still a disconcerting feeling!
- Derek Zasaretti, "Derek_Zasaretti"
- Contributions:343
Most agents recommend you change locks and it is mandatory when purchasing FNMA homes.
- Anita Clark, "anitaclark"
- Contributions:413
Because you have no idea who may have a key to the home. The old owner/tenant, their friends or family, a neighbor, etc. For piece of mind either re-key or replace (my choice) the locks.
Why should you hire a locksmith to rekey your house?
It is very important to rekey your new home. Very simply, because in this market so many contractors have gained access to your new home with the lockbox key. Finding a quality [link removed by moderator] service is absolutely the first thing you should do before you move in! Unfortunately some folks have forgotten to hire a locksmith and have had appliances and some personal electronics-like laptops stolen from their new home. Don't let it happen to you!
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