Lockboxes definitely have their perks, but honestly, I'm not totally sold on relying on neighbors as a backup. I mean, neighbors can be great, but they're not always around when you need them. Last summer, I was renovating my first place and had a similar lockbox setup. Thought I was being super careful—always scrambled the code, double-checked everything—but one day, the lockbox jammed. No idea why, maybe weather or just bad luck, but I couldn't get it open for the life of me.
My neighbor had a spare key, but guess what? She was away on vacation for two weeks. Talk about timing... Ended up having to call a locksmith anyway, which wasn't cheap. After that, I started looking into smart locks. They're pricier upfront, sure, but you can unlock them remotely with your phone or even set temporary codes for contractors or guests. Plus, you get notifications whenever someone uses the door, which is reassuring.
I get the human error thing—it's unavoidable—but tech can help minimize it. Of course, smart locks aren't foolproof either (battery dies, Wi-Fi issues, etc.), but at least you have multiple ways to access your home. Maybe pairing a smart lock with a physical backup hidden somewhere discreet could be a solid compromise. Just my two cents from someone who's learned the hard way!
Smart locks definitely have their advantages, especially the remote access. Had a similar lockbox jam myself—super frustrating. Your idea of pairing tech with a discreet physical backup sounds like the sweet spot, honestly. Might try that myself next time around...
I've been hesitant about smart locks myself—mostly due to cost. But after getting locked out in the rain last month (spare key hidden under a rock vanished...), I'm reconsidering.
"pairing tech with a discreet physical backup sounds like the sweet spot"
Exactly my thoughts now, lesson painfully learned.
Been there myself, standing in the rain feeling like a total genius for hiding a key that apparently wasn't hidden enough... Smart locks do seem pricey upfront, but maybe worth it to avoid another soggy afternoon? Curious though, anyone had reliability issues with theirs?
"Smart locks do seem pricey upfront, but maybe worth it to avoid another soggy afternoon?"
Haha, totally get that feeling. We switched to a smart lock about two years ago after my husband locked himself out (twice in one month... don't ask). Honestly, it's been pretty reliable overall, though we did have one weird glitch where the app wouldn't connect for a day. Turned out it was just an update issue, but still gave us a mini heart attack.
One thing I've wondered about though—anyone here installed a smart lock on an older door? Our house is historic and the front door is original (think heavy wood, slightly warped from decades of weather). I'm curious if anyone's had trouble fitting modern tech onto something that's definitely not standard-sized or shaped. Would hate to drill into it only to find out it doesn't quite line up...
