Yeah, totally agree on locksmith fees being steep. But honestly, hiding keys outside can be risky too—burglars know all the common spots. Maybe consider a trusted neighbor or a secure lockbox instead... bit safer in the long run.
Yeah, good points there. Lockboxes can be solid, especially if they're properly secured and hidden from plain sight. But I've also heard some stories where even those got compromised—seems burglars are getting smarter these days. Maybe pairing a secure lockbox with a camera or motion-sensor lighting could add another layer of safety? Just thinking aloud here... there's probably no foolproof solution, but layering precautions might be the way to go.
Motion lighting is definitely a good shout, but honestly, I'd add a smart doorbell too. A friend of mine caught someone snooping around his lockbox thanks to one—scared the guy right off. Layering is key these days, no single fix covers everything.
Smart doorbells are handy, no doubt, but have you thought about reinforcing the lockbox itself? Maybe something tamper-resistant or hidden placement could help prevent snooping altogether... Wouldn't that add another useful layer?
Lockboxes are decent, but honestly, they're only as good as their placement. I had one at my old place, and someone still managed to mess with it because it was too obvious. If you're going that route, definitely hide it somewhere less predictable—maybe behind a planter or tucked away near a side entrance.
But personally, I'd skip the lockbox altogether. Have you looked into keypad locks? I installed one recently, and it's been a game-changer. No keys to lose, no lockboxes to tamper with. You can set temporary codes for guests or contractors, and even get notifications when someone's using it. Plus, they're pretty easy to install yourself if you're handy enough.
Doorbells and lockboxes are fine, but a keypad just feels like a smarter long-term solution to me.
