Heavy-duty lockboxes are definitely a step up from the cheap ones, but nothing’s totally burglar-proof if someone’s determined. I’ve used a wall-mounted one for years and it’s held up, but I still try to keep it out of sight. As for sticky doors, that’s classic old house stuff—humidity makes wood swell, then it shrinks back. Sometimes just tightening the hinge screws or sanding the edge a bit helps. I’ve had to do that in more than one rental... not glamorous, but it works.
I get the appeal of sanding or tightening hinges, but sometimes those fixes are just a band-aid. In my last place, the door kept sticking no matter how much I sanded—turned out the whole frame was out of square. Ended up having to shim the hinges and plane the top edge. As for lockboxes, I’m a bit paranoid about them being visible too... I actually installed mine inside a vent cover. Not foolproof, but it’s less obvious.
I actually installed mine inside a vent cover. Not foolproof, but it’s less obvious.
That’s some next-level spy stuff—love it. I once tried hiding a lockbox behind a fake electrical outlet plate, but then I forgot which one was real and nearly zapped myself. As for doors, if you’re dealing with a frame that’s out of whack, sometimes you just gotta admit defeat and call in a pro. No shame in it... crooked doors are my nemesis too.
I tried the old “hide-a-key in a fake rock” trick once, but my dog thought it was a chew toy and paraded it around the yard. Not my finest security moment. I agree on the door frames—sometimes you can shim and tweak all you want, but if it’s warped, you’re just fighting gravity. At that point, I’d rather pay someone than risk turning my front door into modern art.
Yeah, those fake rocks are basically an open invitation for trouble—either from pets or anyone with half a brain looking for a spare key. I’ve definitely tried shimming a warped frame way past the point of reason, thinking “just one more adjustment” would fix it. Ever tried one of those smart locks with keypad entry? I’m a bit skeptical about the tech, but it’s tempting after busting out the crowbar one too many times...
