The Misadventures of the Lost Key

Real estate agents often find themselves in unexpected situations that make for great stories. Today, I want to share a hilarious incident, where we lost the only key to a listing. From the recount of the frantic search, to a daring credit card maneuver, we learned some valuable lessons and improved our process in the unlikely reoccurrence of this scenario. 😅💼

About six years ago, we had just landed a brand-new listing on the bustling west side of town. It was a cute one-story 3-bedroom home filled with charm and we could not wait for potential buyers to tour it. It was also ready for its next owner, as the sellers had already moved for their new job overseas. Just as we expected, as soon as it hit the market, showing requests poured in. Little did we know that this listing would soon become the center of an unforgettable adventure. 🏠✨😮

The Missing Key: 😱🔑 It all began with a phone call from a showing agent, sounding slightly annoyed, who informed us that the key was missing from the lockbox. Cue the collective gasp! A sprinkle of panic settled in as we realized we had a day packed with showings, and our ONLY key was nowhere to be found. 😬🔍

After some investigative work and a few phone calls to the agents that had previously shown the home, one of them confessed, with embarrassment, that she had misplaced the key inside the home and had not been able to find it, so after her showing she had locked the bottom lock and had left. Oops! 😳😂

Time to Call the Seller: 📞🌍 Determined to save our clients from the expense of a locksmith, we made a bold decision. We reached out and explained the situation, promising to exhaust all possibilities before resorting to that locksmith. With their full approval, we embarked on a journey to break into our own listing (literally). 💪🚪

The Break In: 💳💥 Locked doors and closed windows mocked our attempts to find an alternative entry point. Back then we did not have as many smart locks either, which are very popular today. I don't give up easily, so I decided to resort to the easiest "How-to" resource: YouTube. I found my saving grace - a video demonstrating how to open a house with a credit card. With a mix of excitement and trepidation, I set out to perform this unconventional feat. I am not going to lie; it was both nerve wracking and thrilling at the same time.

I used an old credit card as well, because I knew the possibility of it being ruined was high. 💳😱💪After some nail-biting moments, I managed to successfully open the door. Thank you Mastercard! I couldn't help but feel a wave of triumph wash over me, even if it was tinged with a touch of apprehension. 😄🚪🙌

Finally, inside the house, I embarked on an arduous search for the missing key. I scoured every nook and cranny, hoping for a stroke of luck. And just when I was on the verge of conceding defeat, my persistence paid off - I found the elusive key hiding under one of the kitchen cabinets. Hallelujah! My first task was driving to Home Depot and making a copy! 🗝️🏃‍♀️💨💡

Lessons Learned: 📚✅ This wild adventure taught us some valuable lessons and added steps to our listings system.

Firstly, we learned the importance of having an extra set of keys on hand, especially when homeowners are out of town.

Secondly, we highly recommend installing alarm systems in vacant homes as an added security measure. If I was able to open the property so easily, other people can too!

Lastly, we implemented a new process of checking on vacant properties at least once a week to ensure that everything runs smoothly and prevent any further surprises. 🚨🔑🏡

Honestly, losing the only key to a listing caused us some initial panic, but it turned out to be a memorable and comical experience and one we learned quite a bit from. From breaking into our own listing to discovering the key in the unlikeliest of places, this misadventure became a catalyst for us to fine-tune our processes and improve our service. And the best part? We can now share this amusing tale with you, offering a lighthearted glimpse into the unpredictable world of real estate. On to the next adventure! 🤣🔑🔍✨

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