I hear you on the smart lock worries—tech is great until it isn’t, especially in bad weather. I’ve looked into those combo doorknobs too. They seem like a decent middle ground, but I still keep a spare key hidden just in case. Honestly, nothing beats a good old-fashioned backup plan if you’re watching your wallet.
I get the appeal of a hidden spare key, but honestly, I worry about someone finding it—those fake rocks aren’t exactly subtle. What’s worked for me is giving a backup key to a neighbor I trust. It’s not foolproof, but at least it’s not sitting in the yard. If you’re set on hiding one, maybe switch up the spot every few months? Just my two cents...
those fake rocks aren’t exactly subtle
Totally agree—those things always stand out to me, too. I’ve seen people tuck keys behind outdoor light fixtures or even inside a weatherproof outlet cover, which feels a bit less obvious. I do like the idea of rotating the spot every now and then, just to keep things unpredictable. Trusting a neighbor is great, but I get nervous if they go on vacation or something... Murphy’s Law, right?
- Fake rocks are a dead giveaway—never understood why people still use them.
- I’ve tried the light fixture trick, but honestly, I get paranoid about spiders every time I reach up there.
- Weatherproof outlet covers are smart, but I’d worry someone might notice if they’re not used often.
- Rotating hiding spots is good, but I’d probably forget where I put the key next time I’m locked out.
- Neighbor thing is risky, yeah—if they’re away, you’re just stuck. I ended up getting one of those combo lockboxes and bolting it somewhere not too obvious. Not perfect, but at least I’m not crawling through bushes at midnight.
Combo lockbox is probably the least hassle, but I always wonder—how visible is “not too obvious”? Like, do you actually bolt it somewhere creative, or just behind a bush? I’ve seen people put them on fence posts and think, that’s a bit on the nose. Has anyone tried hiding a key in a shed or BBQ grill? Or is that just another spider hotel…