Dick Plumb

if you haven't, spend the evening this Saturday, December 12 and come into town to view the Sarasota Holiday Boat parade on the waters of Sarasota Bay. This event is one of the many coomunity events that make Sarasota Florida such an attractive place to live,

For even more information on Sarasota and its surrounding communities, may I suggest you visit my website at http://www.realestate-in-sarasota.com/

A "Lockbox" is a "locked box" containing a key to your home. Lockboxes come in a variety of types from mechanical types to electronic units that provide your Realtor® with information on who showed your home.

The electronic types are in common use in most real estate markets today. They are generally placed somewhere easily located by a Realtor® who wants to show your home. Only those with a Realtor's "electronic key" can open the lockbox and enter your home. These "electronic keys" are closely controlled by the Sarasota Real Estate Board to assure that only active Realtors® have them.

"Having a lockbox on your home for sale makes it convenient for other Realtors® to show it. And that is exactly what you want" says Judie Berger, a Sarasota Florida real estate expert

Without a lockbox, a Realtor representing a buyer would need to arrange to have you or your Listing Agent meet him at the property to show your home. That may not sound like a big deal, but a Realtor cannot know in advance just how much time his Buyer will spend at each home he shows them. So, while he may arrange with your Listing Agent to be there within a 2 hour window, he cannot be more specific. You, or your Listing agent is forced to stay at the home for awaiting the Realtor® and his prospect(s). That is not very convenient for you or your Listing agent.

Most other homes for sale in any real estate market will have a lockbox, so if you don't allow one, many Realtors® will simply not show your property.

Your Listing Contract specifies whether or not you'll allow a lockbox. If you still have concerns about allowing a lock box, ask your Realtor to demonstrate one for you.