Yeah, I’ve had a few close calls with smart locks too. They’re great for convenience and tracking access, but I don’t fully trust them to be 100% reliable. I always keep a lockbox with a physical key somewhere discreet on the property—just in case. It’s saved me more than once when batteries died or the WiFi glitched out.
One thing I started doing is swapping out batteries every six months, whether they need it or not. Costs a bit more, but it’s cheaper than dealing with an angry guest at midnight. Also, some of the newer models send low battery alerts to your phone, which helps, but I still wouldn’t skip the backup key.
Tech’s awesome until it isn’t... Murphy’s Law definitely applies here.
Honestly, I get where you’re coming from with the backup key, but I’ve actually ditched the lockbox after a neighbor’s got broken into. Maybe I’m just paranoid, but it felt like a weak link. Instead, I went with a keypad deadbolt that doesn’t rely on WiFi at all—just batteries. Haven’t had an issue yet (knock on wood). Still, swapping batteries early is smart…those things always die at the worst possible time.
Title: Locked Out Drama—What Would You Do?
Instead, I went with a keypad deadbolt that doesn’t rely on WiFi at all—just batteries. Haven’t had an issue yet (knock on wood). Still, swapping batteries early is smart…those things always die at the worst possible time.
Honestly, I think you made the right call ditching the lockbox. I’ve seen way too many of those get pried open, especially in neighborhoods where people know what to look for. Paranoid? Maybe, but I’d call it practical. The keypad deadbolt is a solid move, especially if it’s not connected to WiFi—less to hack, less to go wrong.
You’re spot on about the batteries, though. I had one of those keypads on a rental and, of course, the batteries died when a guest was trying to check in. Ended up driving across town with a ladder and a screwdriver just to pop the thing open. Learned my lesson—now I swap batteries every six months, whether they need it or not.
Ever thought about hiding a physical key somewhere super unconventional? I know it sounds like a cliché, but I’ve seen people get creative—like inside a fake sprinkler head or even in a magnetic box under a grill. Not saying it’s foolproof, but it’s another layer if the keypad fails.
Curious, do you keep a backup plan if the keypad totally craps out? Or just trust the batteries and hope for the best? I’ve always wondered if there’s a “best practice” here, or if it’s just about picking your poison.
Either way, you’re not alone in feeling a little paranoid. After flipping a few houses, I’ve seen just about every lockout scenario you can imagine. Sometimes it’s just about minimizing the risk and hoping for a little luck.
I’ve installed a ton of those keypads, and honestly, I still stash a backup key in a lockbox—just not anywhere obvious. I know the risks, but I’d rather have a last resort than be stuck calling a locksmith at midnight. It’s all about layers, right? Batteries are cheap, but peace of mind is worth more.
- Totally get the backup key thing—I've seen too many folks trust tech 100% and end up locked out in their pajamas.
- I always recommend hiding the lockbox somewhere that blends with the exterior design, not just under a fake rock (everyone checks those).
- One trick: integrate the lockbox into a planter or behind a decorative panel. Looks intentional, less obvious.
- Batteries die at the worst times, and Murphy's Law loves a dead keypad. Layers are smart, just don’t make it look like you’re hiding treasure out there...
