I still keep a backup key taped under a loose brick... not exactly high-tech, but it works.
Honestly, that’s probably more reliable than my “smart” lock half the time. I tried weatherstripping once—ended up with the door so snug the lock wouldn’t even turn. Old doors have a mind of their own, I swear. Sometimes I think these gadgets are made for houses that don’t creak or groan every time it rains. At least your brick trick is low-maintenance and doesn’t need batteries…
I swear, every time I try to upgrade something, my house just laughs at me. Tried a smart lock last winter—battery died in the middle of a snowstorm, and there I was, shivering on the porch with groceries. At least a brick doesn’t need firmware updates, right? Anyone else ever have their “smart” stuff outsmart them? Sometimes I think my old door just wants to stay old.
Had a similar run-in with my “smart” thermostat last year. Decided to get fancy and install one that could learn my patterns, save me money, all that jazz. Well, it learned alright—learned how to ignore me. Middle of January, I’m bundled up in three layers because the thing decided I must be on vacation or something. Turns out, it needed a firmware update too... which it tried to do right when the WiFi went down.
I get the appeal of smart gadgets, but sometimes I miss the days when a key was just a key and heat was just a dial away. That said, if you’re sticking with the smart lock, maybe stash a backup battery or even an old-school spare key somewhere outside (fake rock, anyone?). Not glamorous, but neither is being stuck outside with melting ice cream.
Guess our houses have their own sense of humor these days.
- Had a rental where the “smart” lock battery died during a showing—talk about awkward.
- I get the convenience, but there’s nothing like a good old-fashioned key backup in a lockbox.
- Do you think smart tech actually adds value to a home, or just more headaches?
Had a similar thing happen during an open house—stood there fiddling with my phone like an idiot while the buyers waited on the porch. Honestly, I get why people want the tech, but when you said
, that hit home. In my experience, buyers like seeing smart features, but if it fails at the wrong time, it’s just stress. I always keep a backup key handy now... learned that one the hard way.there’s nothing like a good old-fashioned key backup in a lockbox
