Keys and Codes Before Listing Your Miami Home
Separate everyday household access from showing access, then document the keys, remotes and account changes needed at closing.
· 3 min read · Residential / Selling a Home
Keys and codes deserve a review before listing your Miami home. Copies may still be with a former cleaner, a neighbor or a contractor who finished work months ago. Showing activity adds another access arrangement while your household may still be living in the property.
Make the plan with your listing agent before photographs and appointments begin. The goal is a clear picture of existing access, a manageable showing process and an organized handoff when the sale closes.
Inventory access before adding a lockbox
List exterior door keys, gate keys, garage remotes and keypad codes. Review smart lock users and any account that can change those permissions. Ask household members about copies they lent out rather than counting only the keys on your own ring.
Recover access that is no longer needed. If the copying history is uncertain, discuss residential rekeying options before deciding how showing keys will be issued. First confirm any property management or association requirements that affect the work.
Our spare key guide provides additional context for reviewing the backup arrangement you already use.
Agree on the showing procedure
Ask the agent who will manage the lockbox, who can authorize appointments and how access is recorded for the chosen product. Features differ, so confirm what is actually supported rather than assuming every box provides schedules or notifications.
SentriLock's homeowner showing guidance recommends securing valuables and sensitive personal information before appointments. Apply that preparation alongside the key plan. A managed entrance does not make private documents left in view private.
Tell the agent which rooms or areas require special arrangements. Keep pets and household routines in the appointment plan so family members do not work around the system by sharing extra codes casually.
Separate household and temporary access
If the installed lock supports individual temporary users, decide who will create and remove them. Use schedules or expiration only where the model supports those features. Keep a dependable access method for current residents throughout any change.
Review garage and gate access separately. Use the manufacturer's instructions for the installed equipment instead of following a generic reset sequence. Clearing every remote or user can affect people who still need authorized entry.
For physical keys used during showings, agree on who holds the working copy and what happens if it goes missing. Keep that arrangement consistent across the listing period.
Prepare a closing inventory
Record which keys, remotes and devices will be delivered and which digital accounts need a supported ownership transfer or removal. Coordinate timing with the agent and the transaction arrangements; do not remove current occupants' access prematurely.
Keep seller preparation separate from the buyer's later security review. Our article on lock mistakes after moving in covers that next stage.
For locksmith Miami assistance before your home goes on the market, call Caraballo Locksmith at 786-970-0149. Describe the doors, key history and showing access you are coordinating.
Frequently asked questions
Should I rekey before listing or wait until closing?
Review who currently has access and coordinate with the agent. Rekeying may be appropriate before showings when unknown copies are a concern; it is not a substitute for the closing handoff.
Does every listing lockbox record visits?
No. Capabilities and configuration vary. Ask the agent which product is used and what information it actually records.
Should I erase all garage remotes before showings?
Plan any change with current occupants and use the equipment's instructions. Avoid disabling authorized access without a coordinated replacement arrangement.