Honestly, I just can’t justify dropping a bunch of cash on smart locks or fancy tech. I get the convenience, but if you’re on a budget, a good old-fashioned lockbox (like the kind realtors use) works fine. Hide it somewhere less obvious, not right by the door, and you’re set. No batteries to die, no apps to glitch, and you don’t have to mess with your house’s look. I’d rather spend that money fixing up something else around the place.
“a good old-fashioned lockbox (like the kind realtors use) works fine. Hide it somewhere less obvious, not right by the door, and you’re set.”
I get where you’re coming from, but I’ve seen a few too many lockboxes stick out like a sore thumb, especially if you’ve put effort into your entryway’s vibe. Here’s a trick I like: pick a spot that blends with your landscaping—think behind a planter or even inside a decorative garden object. If you want to take it up a notch, paint the lockbox to match its surroundings. Just make sure you remember where you put it... I once “hid” one so well I had to call my neighbor for help finding it.
I’ve definitely had that moment where I “cleverly” hid a spare key and then spent ages hunting it down. Hiding the lockbox in the landscaping is smart, but I always wonder—doesn’t moisture or dirt get inside after a while? I had one rust up on me behind a bush. Now I just tuck it under the deck, inside a weatherproof pouch. Not the fanciest solution, but it’s cheap and works for me. Anyone else run into issues with lockboxes freezing shut in winter? That’s been my headache lately...
Lockboxes freezing up is a pain—been there more times than I care to admit. One winter, I actually had to pour warm water over mine just to get it open, which obviously isn’t ideal if you’re locked out and it’s below zero. Here’s what I started doing: I switched to a lockbox with a rubber gasket seal and then wrapped the whole thing in a heavy-duty ziplock bag. Not the prettiest, but it keeps most of the moisture out. For extra insurance, I toss in one of those silica gel packs (the kind you find in shoe boxes) to absorb any stray dampness.
I’ve also heard of folks using magnetic key holders tucked up under metal railings or even inside fake sprinkler heads, but I always worry about someone spotting them. Has anyone tried those combo smart locks that use codes instead of keys? Curious if they hold up better in bad weather or if they just come with their own set of headaches...
I hear you on the freezing lockboxes—been there, and it’s never fun standing outside fiddling with frozen metal. I tried one of those combo smart locks last year since I figured no key meant one less thing to worry about. Honestly, it worked fine until the batteries died in the middle of January... then I was back to square one. Not sure they’re foolproof, especially if you’re trying to save a few bucks and go for a cheaper model. The silica gel trick is clever though—I might have to steal that idea.
