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Buyers – Change The Locks After Closing

By
Real Estate Agent with Amanda Davidson Real Estate Group Brokered By Real 0225221517

Buyers – Change The Locks After Closing

Changing LocksOne of the most frequent questions I get asked from buyers as we near closing is do we have to change the locks? Do you have to – no. Should you? 100% yes!

The chances of the sellers coming back and entering the home are probably slim to none but, you just never know. The greater risk comes from anyone they might have given a key to over the years. There could be an endless trail of keys floating around. How do you know if the previous owners changed the locks when they moved in? You don't. If you don’t change the locks you have no way of knowing who has keys to your home or how many keys are in the hands of complete strangers.

If you’re handy, changing the locks can be as simple as going to the local hardware store, purchasing new locks, and installing them yourself. If you prefer to hire a locksmith it’s still relatively inexpensive and the peace of mind that comes with knowing that your new home and personal belongings are protected is priceless. Not changing the locks isn’t worth the risk or the permanent question mark on who might have keys to your home. When you buy a new home you should change the locks after closing.

 

Posted by

 

Amanda Davidson Real Estate Group

 

 

      

 

AMANDA DAVIDSON  
l ASSOCIATE BROKER l  
l AMANDA DAVIDSON REAL ESTATE GROUP BROKERED BY Real

C  703.431.3755   |   O  855.450.0442  |   W  www.amandadavidson.com

A  1765 Greensboro Station Place Suite 900 McLean, Va 22102




Elizabeth Weintraub Sacramento Broker
Elizabeth Anne Weintraub, Broker - Sacramento, CA
Put 40 years of experience to work for you

Sometimes buyers get their knickers in a twist when a seller gives them one key and not all of the keys. I sell a lot of short sales and often the sellers left the home months ago and misplaced the keys. When I try to explain that they should change all of the locks, just for their own safety, and the missing keys don't matter, they don't understand. It costs about $100 to have a person come out to change out 3 locks, for crying out loud. About 1/10th of that if you remove the handles and take them to Home Depot.

Feb 11, 2014 01:54 AM
Toni Weidman
Sailwinds Realty - Trinity, FL
20+ Years Selling Homes in New Port Richey, FL

I always recommend changing of the locks, Amanda. All the neighbors could have a key to your home and have a party when you're out ;) Good avice.

Feb 11, 2014 02:07 AM
Amanda S. Davidson
Amanda Davidson Real Estate Group Brokered By Real - Alexandria, VA
Alexandria Virginia Homes For Sale

Jack, that's a great closing gift!

Roy, you sure don't!

Richie, I agree 100%.

Michael, that's all the reason I'd need.

Peter, I think we've all gotten it a lot. Seem so straight forward but, it's great that you have it as a closing gift option.

Scott, haha I agree!

Rebecca, I think so too.

Brian, thank you!

Elizabeth, I've seen buyers get fussy when they only get one key but, they have calmed down when I tell them they should change the locks. You're right it's not expensive and 100% worth it.

Toni, so true :)

 

Feb 11, 2014 02:22 AM
Adrian Willanger
206 909-7536 AdrianWillanger-broker.com - Seattle, WA
Profit from my two decades of experience

Amanda, I always recommend to my clients that's the first thing they should do, better safe than sorry. You never know how many keys are floating around. 

Feb 11, 2014 07:48 AM
Amanda S. Davidson
Amanda Davidson Real Estate Group Brokered By Real - Alexandria, VA
Alexandria Virginia Homes For Sale

Adrian, I think that's great advice to give them!

Feb 11, 2014 09:27 PM
Donna Quinlan
Keller Williams Realty - Newburyport, MA
Keller Williams Realtor & Career Consultant

Great advice! Who knows how many times a key has been given out to someone by the owner over the years. Usually its fine, but for security and peace of mind, new locks are worth the price. 

Feb 11, 2014 10:22 PM
Amanda S. Davidson
Amanda Davidson Real Estate Group Brokered By Real - Alexandria, VA
Alexandria Virginia Homes For Sale

Donna, I think so too. Just makes good sense.

Feb 12, 2014 09:11 PM
Collette Sarmento
Cameron Real Estate Group - Wakefield, MA
781*258*9718--Your Agent For Life

I always tell my Buyers, especially the single gals, to change the locks.  You never know the history of an angry relative or friend that still has a key!!!

Feb 12, 2014 11:09 PM
Patricia Kennedy
RLAH@properties - Washington, DC
Home in the Capital

Hey,  Amanda!  I included your post in today's Last Week's Favorites.  Enjoy the rest of your weekend!

Feb 15, 2014 10:58 PM
Kristin Johnston - REALTOR®
RE/MAX Platinum - Waukesha, WI
Giving Back With Each Home Sold!

THis is always great advice...being a landlord too, I do it upon move outs too!

Feb 15, 2014 11:17 PM
Amanda S. Davidson
Amanda Davidson Real Estate Group Brokered By Real - Alexandria, VA
Alexandria Virginia Homes For Sale

Collette, very true, you really never know.

Hi Pat, wow! Thank you so much, I'm headed over now to check it out.

Kristin, that's really smart of you to do on move outs. Not worth taking a chance.

Feb 15, 2014 11:51 PM
Jeff Fritzson: Frisco Real Estate Pro
Jeff Fritzson Real Estate, Ebby Halliday Realtors - Frisco, TX
Your Success is My Focus!

Hey Amanda - many people don;t think about this and it is so important. Any landlord knows this is mandatory when changing over tenants it should be for buyers and sellers too.

Feb 16, 2014 12:46 AM
Anne Hensel
South Beaches Real Estate Professionals - Saint Petersburg, FL
Realtor - Broker - St. Pete Beach, Treasure Island

I always recommend to change the locks. As a homeowner I have given so many keys to friends over the years, I have lost track of my keys

Feb 16, 2014 03:38 AM
Evelyn Johnston
Friends & Neighbors Real Estate - Elkhart, IN
The People You Know, Like and Trust!

I agree one hundred percent.  Especially this REO properties.  Agents in our market put on HUD locks.  No telling how many people have those keys!

Feb 16, 2014 10:02 AM
Paul S. Henderson, REALTOR®, CRS
Fathom Realty Washington LLC - Tacoma, WA
South Puget Sound Washington Agent/Broker!

As with many agents; I give new locks or re-keying as a closing gift... 

Feb 16, 2014 12:45 PM
William Johnson
Retired - La Jolla, CA
Retired

Hi Amanda, I think every office and agent should take this as gospel. Change the locks. If the Buyers don't, the agent should do it as a closing gift. If the latter is the case, buy extra nice keys. As the locksmith if he carries the extra special key blanks.

Feb 16, 2014 01:59 PM
Cheryl Ritchie
RE/MAX Leading Edge www.GoldenResults.com - Huntingtown, MD
Southern Maryland 301-980-7566

Come to think of it, that would make a nice closing gift. 

Feb 16, 2014 02:20 PM
Praful Thakkar
LAER Realty Partners - Burlington, MA
Metro Boston Homes For Sale

Amanda, sage advice to new buyers. And why not? Safety first!

Feb 16, 2014 03:15 PM
Kristen Correa, Broker
Kristen Correa Real Estate & Reedy Creek Realty Services - Keller, TX
I love coffee & real estate. I am out of coffee!

Thumbs up, girl. Also a good opp to rekey all locks the same key incase you were handed a handful of keys. And change the garage door opener combo (if there is one) too.

Feb 16, 2014 08:34 PM
Cathy Wolters
Wolters Realty & Property Management Company - Cocoa, FL
Your Brevard County Property Management Expert

Great advice, it is a very important thing to do. 

Feb 18, 2014 07:59 AM