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Wanda Kubat-Nerdin - Wanda Can!, St. George Utah Area Residential Sales Agent (Red Rock Real Estate (435) 632-9374)

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Susan Emo
Sotheby's International Realty Canada - Brokerage - Kingston, ON
Kingston and the 1000 Islands Area

Most Realtors are incapable of disarming alarms, LOL.

Years ago, on a brokers' tour we entered a home and watched the Listing Agent enter the alarm code.  As we all traipsed into the home the alarm began to screech.  At one point there were 5 men all attempting to enter the code on the box panel on the wall.   The alarm company was on the phone and they were insisting they punched in the correct code, all the while the alarm screeching and seemingly getting louder by the second.   All of a sudden the alarm stopped and all of the men were congratulating themselves until they turned and discovered I had entered the code on the correct box on the opposite wall and pointed out that they were punching the code into the programable thermostat!!!

Apr 08, 2015 12:25 AM
Rainmaker
7,836,134
Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

It would certainly be much easier if alarms were disabled for home showings. The current technology should allow that for many home owners.

Apr 07, 2015 07:47 AM
Ambassador
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Tammy Lankford,
Lane Realty Eatonton, GA Lake Sinclair, Milledgeville, 706-485-9668 - Eatonton, GA
Broker GA Lake Sinclair/Eatonton/Milledgeville

I have several sellers that can turn them on and off remotely for appointments. That I don't mind, but I hate having to turn them off myself.

Apr 07, 2015 01:04 PM
Rainmaker
1,044,624
Andrea Swiedler
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices New England Properties - New Milford, CT
Realtor, Southern Litchfield County CT

I never ever give out the alarm codes to anyone. I have seen them in the agent to agent remarks... agent prints them out and who knows where that paper goes to. If the client can't turn the alarm off for showings, or won't leave the alarm off because the house is on the market, it becomes my job to get over there and turn it off and back on again. I will not even give the code out over the phone. And it is very difficult for me as I am an alarmaphobe. On the flip side, when I am showing a home with an alarm, I ask the agent to disarm it for me. I do not want to be responsible. They aren't my clients. 

Apr 07, 2015 09:13 AM
Rainmaker
911,338
Jeff Pearl
RE/MAX Distinctive / LIC in VA - Lovettsville, VA
Full Service Full Time Realtor

Best to turn them off. They can be a real pain to deal with.

Apr 07, 2015 08:00 AM
Ambassador
3,169,508
Liz and Bill Spear
Transaction Alliance 513.520.5305 www.LizTour.com - Mason, OH
Transaction Alliance Cincinnati & Dayton suburbs

Wanda, I dread homes with active alarm boxes.  Rarely are the showing instructions as clear as they need to be as to EXACTLY where the alarm box is relative to the front door, and time is ticking away quickly.  It's stress none of us need.

Apr 08, 2015 01:12 AM
Rainmaker
1,446,751
Richard Iarossi
Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage - Crofton, MD
Crofton MD Real Estate, Annapolis MD Real Estate

I've tripped far too many in my career showing homes, so yes, they should be turned off...please.

Apr 07, 2015 10:49 PM
Rainer
216,904
Sharon Altier
Coldwell Banker Realty - Elmhurst, IL
Luxury Property Specialist, CSC, SFR

Turn it off!  All too many times, we are juggling keys, papers and then holding door for buyers and we then have to race in, locate the pad and get it turned off within "x" seconds?  Not a professional presentation.  I would prefer Seller or agent wait until I arrive (if they won't turn it off beforehand), turn it off, and then rearm when we depart.  Should not have to do that, but if Seller is insisting on it being disarmed/armed, someone else should do it.  Last thing an agent needs is the police showing up and trying to unjam an alarm or explain the situation. 

Apr 07, 2015 03:07 PM
Rainmaker
750,057
Rob D. Shepherd
RETIRED - Florence, OR
RETIRED

Turn them off or its NOT on my show list.

Apr 07, 2015 09:48 AM
Rainer
50,260
James Hoff
Century 21 Award - Rancho Santa Margarita, CA
Real Agents Work

Never have alarms on for showings. I think it's ridiculous. I once had someone that we had to schedule a showing for an exact set window of when we would enter and when we would be out for with no exception because they sellers had to deactivate the alarm remotely and would be watching us on the cameras they had installed in the house from a remote location. If you went even one minute early then the alarm would sound and if you left one minute late, same thing. Hard to blame the sellers though because the agent played it off like it was totally normal because they were afraid to tell their own client otherwise.

Apr 12, 2015 03:15 AM
Ambassador
5,049,183
Jeff Dowler, CRS
eXp Realty of California, Inc. - Carlsbad, CA
The Southern California Relocation Dude

They should be off. And risky to put in the listing ( and as I say that I have a house on my buyer's tour next week that has an alarm AND the code in the private remarks).

I went to tour a fairly pricey unoccupied home a few years ago. Listing agent assured me alarm was off. NOT so. As soon as I opened the door I heard the beeping start and knew I was in trouble. 30 seconds layer thesiren went off. I was sure the police were going to show up

Apr 12, 2015 02:40 AM
Rainer
115,342
Margaret Kapranos
Berkshire Hathaway Home Services - Novato, CA
San Francisco Bay Area REALTOR. 415-608-5070

They should be off.  If there is an issue, the listing agent should accompany the buyer's agent, de-activate the alarm, sit outside while the house is shown and take care of reactivating the alarm.  It's too much responsibility for a buyer's agent to deal with this.

Apr 10, 2015 05:38 AM
Rainmaker
3,988,007
Debbie Reynolds, C21 Platinum Properties
Platinum Properties- (931)771-9070 - Clarksville, TN
The Dedicated Clarksville TN Realtor-(931)320-6730

I always cringe when I have to show a home that has a security system that is armed. Each one is so different and we agents need to be selling and showing features and not having to worry about setting off an alarm or being greeted by the police.

Apr 09, 2015 12:37 PM
Rainmaker
444,170
Dianne Goode
Raleigh Cary Realty - Raleigh, NC
Realtor/Broker

Oh please let them be turned off!  I am phobic about house alarms.  There is no humiliation greater than standing there with your client while the alarm whoops and shrieks, waiting for the police to come.  I always ask CSS to ask the seller to leave the alarm off for me and often the seller will comply.

Apr 09, 2015 10:23 AM
Rainmaker
4,434,127
Gita Bantwal
RE/MAX Centre Realtors - Warwick, PA
REALTOR,ABR,CRS,SRES,GRI - Bucks County & Philadel

I am alwasy scred to show homes when they have the alarm on and give me the code.

Apr 08, 2015 09:42 PM
Rainmaker
175,614
Spirit Messingham
Tierra Antigua Realty - Tucson, AZ
Third Generation Full-Time Realtor® 520 471-6900

It is the sellers house and their belongings.  If they want/need/prefer an alarm, then by all means leave it on.  I would feel responsible if I was the one that told them "it would be easier to show for agents, leave the alarm off", and then they get robbed.   Here in Tucson, it will state call listing agent for alarm code as we are not supposed to put the code nor gate codes, etc., in the agent comments section.   It only takes a quick call and we can show.  That being said, I have lost count how many times I have called the day before to an agent to get the alarm code, gate code, etc., and they never called back.  Or their voicemail was full (see a recent blog I wrote), hence I could not leave a message to get said gate code and alarm code.   Good question.

Apr 08, 2015 10:11 AM
Rainmaker
5,104,931
Nina Hollander, Broker
Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC
Your Greater Charlotte Realtor

We are not allowed to put alarm instructions in our private remarks. They have to be provided to the showing service to give to showing agents. Obviously, it's easier to show without an alarm. But when a seller really wants it on, we have to deal with it.

Apr 07, 2015 08:49 PM
Rainmaker
1,139,819
Russ Ravary ~ Metro Detroit Realtor call (248) 310-6239
Real Estate One - Commerce, MI
Michigan homes for sale ~ yesmyrealtor@gmail.com

If they give instructions I think it is no problem to keep the security system on

Apr 07, 2015 06:30 PM
Rainmaker
2,443,250
Evelyn Johnston
Friends & Neighbors Real Estate - Elkhart, IN
The People You Know, Like and Trust!

I think they should be given to you when you are approved for the showing and not publicized in the MLS.

Apr 07, 2015 12:34 PM
Rainmaker
516,437
Brenda J. Andrew
ULTIMA REAL ESTATE - Willis, TX
Professional Realtor in Conroe/Willis, TX

I think if the seller is leaving so you can show the home, then they need to turn it off.  If the house is vacant, then just leave the comments on where it is located along with instructions to disarm.  

Apr 07, 2015 10:15 AM
Rainmaker
2,362,948
Lise Howe
Keller Williams Capital Properties - Washington, DC
Assoc. Broker in DC, MD, VA and attorney in DC

I currently have a listing that is vacant and on five acres. I ask each agent to call me so I can tell them how to disarm the alarm - sometimes it just has to be done. 

May 03, 2015 09:15 PM
Rainmaker
90,543
Debra Peters
Referral Realty - Manorville, NY
NY Real Estate Salesperson

I do not think it is wise to put instructions and codes in the remarks section. I think the alarms should be turned off.  If I could not get to the property prior to the potential buyer showing up, I cetainly would not want to be entering codes into an alarm system with the buyer(s) standing there. Alarms can be tricky, too.

I would never discuss anything about the alarm system either, whether it's on, off, etc.

Apr 12, 2015 11:59 PM
Rainer
305,560
Tammy Adams ~ Realtor / Podcaster
Maricopa Real Estate Co - Maricopa, AZ
A Maricopa Agent who Works, Lives & Loves Maricopa

My last listing with an alarm was so sad how no one ever read the listing. I can't tell you how many times the electric was turned off at this vacant property and they never told me!

Apr 12, 2015 10:14 AM
Rainmaker
323,664
Fred Cope
Reliant Realty in Nashville, TN - Nashville, TN
Looking For Homes With A Smile

Wanda, as I read the many comments, I noticed (1) most agents want the alarms OFF; (2) most agents are not comfortable with disarming alarms; and (3) no mention is made of working out a relationship with the commercial Alarm services.  Doesn't it make more sense for NAR, and its State and local associations to become proactive in working out a means for authorized REALTORS® to have legitimate access to marketed homes without expecting sellers to leave their homes vulnerable to unauthorized entry?

Apr 12, 2015 02:19 AM
Rainer
112,947
Vera Gonzalez
RE/MAX Suburban, Inc. - Sterling Heights, MI
Gonzo For Real Estate

Doesn't bother me either way. I explain the repercussions to my clients. I had one seller who had to pay a fine. On the flip side I recently had a listing that was vacant but the seller would turn off alarm before going to work if showings were scheduled. An agent showed the next day not knowing there was an alarm, instead of rescheduling from the day before the client had cancelled. They got the bajeebers scared out of them. 

Apr 11, 2015 02:03 AM
Rainer
273,237
Richard Robibero, e-Pro, ABR, SRS
Panorama R.E. Limited - Toronto, ON
Selling Your Home as if it were My Own!

Turn them off.

There have been several times where I've tripped the alarm and of course, the agent won't have their phone number anywhere on the actual listing because god-forbid someone try to reach them.

 

Sorry... off on a tangent there.

Apr 09, 2015 09:50 PM
Rainer
12,002
Cynthia (CJ) Sleppy
Cynthia J Sleppy Real Estate - Medford, OR

I definitely think they should be turned off prior to a showing.  The homeowner can then set it afterward and have the peace of mind to know that it is set - and set right!  (LoL - I am a real clutz when it comes to alarm systems - I remember setting off the system my first day working in an office in a tiny town =:>O  My small daughter hid in the corner and the local cop stood on the sidewalk laughing at me  :>) 

Apr 08, 2015 02:10 PM
Rainmaker
4,319,419
Praful Thakkar
LAER Realty Partners - Andover, MA
Andover, MA: Andover Luxury Homes For Sale

Wanda Kubat-Nerdin - ideally, turning off is the best thing, instead of sharing that private information with everyone.

(Although I remember once police stopped by because the instructions did not have any such information and the seller did not turn off the alarm system - so as soon as I opened the door....)

Apr 08, 2015 12:23 PM
Rainmaker
938,537
Bruce Walter
Keller Williams Realty Lafayette/West Lafayette, Indiana - West Lafayette, IN

Wanda, I am grateful whenever they are turned OFF.  There are just too many variables where something may get left out of the chain of information about the system.  Disarm it!

Apr 08, 2015 11:25 AM
Rainmaker
4,572,183
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

Hi Wanda -- home alarms are the bane of many agents.   It seems to be more than enough trouble handling a lockbox key and understanding the control-alt-delete function for many, so I subscribe to the KISS method -- make showing a listing as simple as possible.  Just say no home alarms when a home is on the market for sale.  

Apr 08, 2015 07:15 AM
Rainer
31,266
Julia van Mook
Coldwell Banker Real Estate Services - Pittsburgh, PA

I am not above begging a listing agent to have the system turned off before I get there.  But I say Turn Them Off!  No need to make showing the property more difficult

Apr 08, 2015 02:31 AM
Rainer
76,824
Renee Eubanks
Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage - Prescott, AZ
Selling Real Estate One Home At A Time.

Turn them off!  I'm on my way and I will trip the alarm.  I don't like the alarm at my office.  I will avoid going to the office if I have to turn off the alarm.

Apr 08, 2015 12:57 AM
Rainmaker
2,759,812
TeamCHI - Complete Home Inspections, Inc.
Complete Home Inspections, Inc. - Brentwood, TN
Home Inspectons - Nashville, TN area - 615.661.029

 Yes! I cannot tell you how many I have set off because the buyer did not get the memo that we were inspecting the house today.

Apr 07, 2015 06:59 PM
Rainmaker
634,482
Kathleen Luiten
Resort and Second-Home Specialist - Princeville, HI
Kauai Luxury Ocean Home Sales

I agree with Brenda J. Andrew . To avoid problems if the listing is vacant, in addition to putting instructions in the proivate notes I have put a very obvious sign just inside that includes clear instructions and put a brightly colored post it next to the alarm so they find it quickly.

Apr 07, 2015 01:39 PM
Rainmaker
3,986,258
William Feela
WHISPERING PINES REALTY - North Branch, MN
Realtor, Whispering Pines Realty 651-674-5999 No.

I say turn them off and then le the agent re-arm them...if so desired.  Re-arming is very simple

Apr 07, 2015 01:13 PM
Rainmaker
519,324
Dan Tabit
Keller Williams Bellevue - Sammamish, WA

Unless the home as "real valuables" they should be off. If  they do, the valuables should be stored elsewhere.  Alarms going off are the worst experience any buyer or agent can have to overcome.  Once the nerves are frazzled, the good times are over. 

Apr 07, 2015 01:10 PM
Rainmaker
137,595
David John Medendorp
Medendorp Real Estate Group Muskegon - Norton Shores, MI
CCIM, GRI, Investments, Waterfront Homes, Muskegon

I think they should be off!

alarms are distracting at best. I am always scared I am going to set them off.

If the want to sell the house turn them off or have the listing agent come by early and turn them off.

Apr 07, 2015 01:04 PM
Rainmaker
3,340,443
Sally K. & David L. Hanson
EXP Realty 414-525-0563 - Brookfield, WI
WI Real Estate Agents - Luxury - Divorce

Be ready for Realtors who cannot figure out how to turn off an alarm and deal with it if you do not turn it off.

Apr 07, 2015 12:36 PM
Rainmaker
2,194,668
Elizabeth Weintraub Sacramento Broker
Elizabeth Anne Weintraub, Broker - Sacramento, CA
Put 40 years of experience to work for you

I tell sellers not to set the alarms and make it very clear that if they do want to set them, regardless of how well I draw arrows and write lengthy paragraphs about how to turn off the alarm, some agent will set it off, guaranteed, so they better be prepared to respond to false alarms and pay the hundred bucks the alarm company charges for it.

Apr 07, 2015 12:14 PM
Ambassador
2,161,048
Silvia Dukes PA, Broker Associate, CRS, CIPS, SRES
Tropic Shores Realty - Ich spreche Deutsch! - Spring Hill, FL
Florida Waterfront and Country Club Living

Wanda, I think they should be turned off.  They create unnecessary stress and the potential of it going off by accident.

Apr 07, 2015 12:13 PM
Ambassador
3,345,091
Kathleen Daniels, Probate & Trust Specialist
KD Realty - 408.972.1822 - San Jose, CA
Probate Real Estate Services

Unless there is a compelling reason not to turn off ... I feel the alarms should be off.

Apr 07, 2015 10:36 AM
Ambassador
3,125,819
Wanda Kubat-Nerdin - Wanda Can!
Red Rock Real Estate (435) 632-9374 - St. George, UT
St. George Utah Area Residential Sales Agent

Most home alarms can be activated / deactivated with a key fob or remotely by homeowners, so the process has become simpler, thankfully. The key fob can be put in a electronic key box with the front door key.

Apr 07, 2015 10:16 AM
Rainmaker
3,545,649
Myrl Jeffcoat
Sacramento, CA
Greater Sacramento Realtor - Retired

Ideally they would be shut off.  At the very least if they are not, then instructions for disarming need to be provided.  I have had a couple mishaps with alarm systems, and during showings they are beyond annoying!

Apr 07, 2015 09:57 AM
Rainmaker
921,504
Annette Lawrence , Palm Harbor, FL 727-420-4041
ReMax Realtec Group - Palm Harbor, FL
Making FLORIDA Real Estate EZ

The listing agent should provide instruction for disarming alarm via telephone conversation.

Apr 07, 2015 08:51 AM
Rainmaker
4,800,082
Gabe Sanders
Real Estate of Florida specializing in Martin County Residential Homes, Condos and Land Sales - Stuart, FL
Stuart Florida Real Estate

Turned off.

Sep 03, 2018 06:48 AM