Honolulu Going to Electronic Lock Boxes

It is official; the Honolulu Board of REALTORS ® announced that beginning 2008, our members will have the option of upgrading to the newest state of the art electronic lock boxes.

The product and system selected by the Board is the SentriLock, REALTOR Electronic Lockbox.  The company is developing a new product to meet our needs in Hawaii.  With our many condos and gated areas there is a need for a box that can hold the various types of keys and cards for elevators, gates etc., along with the standard door keys.

Yesterday at a broker's forum held at the Hilton Hawaiian Village (the location of the 2008 CRS Sell-a-bration), our members were introduced to the SentriLock and what the basic implementation plan would be.

It was made clear that electronic lock boxes would not be mandatory.  This is a National Association of REALTORS ® directive.  The reason we will be able to implement them without requiring everyone to participate is that the box has the ability to operate in a manual mode also.

Honolulu implemented electronic boxes many years ago and it was a failure.  This time the lessons were learned and the product is far superior to the previous product.  I for one am excited about the new boxes. 

Some of their features that I am looking forward to are:

• Ability to take manual codes along with electronic smart card
• Up to 9 different 1-day codes
• Contractor codes
• IR port that will work with Treo phone
• Illuminated key pad
• Agent showing statistics
• Metal non-rusting case
• Durable replaceable cover
• Removable battery
• Replaceable battery and low battery warning
• Internet based administration

The number of features was mind boggling. I was so impressed I wanted to make the switch yesterday.  I guess I will have to wait with everyone else.

I know that we are one of the few major markets to make the switch.  What has been you experience with electronic boxes?  Do you use SentriLocks?