Had a client once who locked himself out because his phone died mid-dog walk—he ended up sitting on the porch for an hour with a bag of dog poop and no way in. I always wonder, do you trust the app more or the keypad?
I always wonder, do you trust the app more or the keypad?
Honestly, neither feels perfect to me. I get the appeal of keyless, but relying on tech—whether it’s your phone or a battery-powered keypad—just adds another layer of stuff that can fail. I’ve seen folks get locked out because the keypad batteries died, too. Sometimes I think a simple mechanical lockbox with a backup key (hidden in a clever, eco-friendly spot) is underrated. Less tech, less waste, fewer headaches.
Sometimes I think a simple mechanical lockbox with a backup key (hidden in a clever, eco-friendly spot) is underrated.
That’s honestly such a solid point. I’ve got an old house and while I love the idea of keyless, I still keep a backup key tucked away just in case. The tech is convenient, but I’ve had the keypad freeze up in winter—nothing like standing on the porch fiddling with batteries when you just want to get inside. There’s something comforting about having that low-tech backup, you know?
I get where you’re coming from on the “comforting” part, but I’ve gotta push back a bit on the mechanical backup thing. Here’s why I lean hard into keyless, even with the quirks:
- Keypads freezing or batteries dying is annoying, but with newer models (especially ones rated for extreme temps), that’s less of an issue. I’ve had Schlage and Yale units in Midwest winters—never totally locked out. Worst case, a 9V battery jumpstart gets you in.
- Hiding keys outside isn’t as safe as it used to be. Thieves know all the classic spots—under rocks, fake sprinkler heads, etc. Even “eco-friendly” hiding spots can get predictable over time.
- Mechanical lockboxes can jam up too, especially if they’re exposed to weather. I’ve seen rusted dials and sticky tumblers more than once when flipping older places.
- Most keyless systems let you set temporary codes for contractors, cleaners, or guests. No more worrying about lost spare keys floating around.
- If you’re worried about power loss, some smart locks have physical key overrides built in anyway (just keep that key inside the house or on your person).
The tech is convenient, but I’ve had the keypad freeze up in winter—nothing like standing on the porch fiddling with batteries when you just want to get inside.
Totally get that frustration. But honestly, with regular battery swaps (I do mine every daylight saving change), it’s been smooth sailing for years now. Plus, not having to track who has which key is a big win.
I guess for me it comes down to: no system is perfect, but the convenience and control of digital outweighs the rare hiccup. Still, if your house is older and you trust your hiding spot, maybe it’s worth keeping both options around... just don’t put too much faith in that plastic rock!
I hear you on the “no system is perfect” bit. I was hesitant to ditch my old skeleton key setup—there’s something about that solid click that just feels right. But honestly, after a winter of not having to dig through pockets with frozen fingers, I’m sold on keyless. Like you said,
I still keep a backup key tucked away (not in a plastic rock, promise), but it’s more for peace of mind than anything. It’s wild how quickly you get used to just punching in a code and walking in.“the convenience and control of digital outweighs the rare hiccup.”
