If you or your sellers have burglar alarms, I have to ask you for a big favor - and a suggestion that might help save your client from being fined by the local authorities.
Recently I wrote a post about having been surprised by an alarm when I took clients to show a home that was listed without mention of the alarm, and I was unable to reach the seller or the listing agent (both were on vacation).
This seems to be my month to have alarm issues, because 
I had another issue this weekend, although this one was resolved somewhat. The alarm was mentioned in the MLS and the alarm code was provided in confidential agent remarks. I spoke with the seller as instructed before going to show, and he gave me a new alarm code (he had just changed it that day). The problem was that when I unlocked the front door for my buyer clients, I had a limited amount of time to get that code entered and I couldn't find the panel.
As I ran through the house looking for it, the alarm went off! That's twice this month that I had an alarm go off, and in my 30+ years of working in real estate I had set off only one alarm before!
The seller's home phone rang and I saw that it was Brinks calling, so I answered the phone while I continued to search for the panel. I explained who I was and why I was in the house and having trouble getting the alarm turned off. I finally found it in the garage (!?), entered the code and the alarm stopped. Whew!
The problem was that to protect their clients from being forced to disable their alarm under duress from a bad guy, Brinks asks for a code word. If you give the wrong word or don't know the code, the police will come to the door, which they did. I explained the whole thing to them, which they thought was funny, although I didn't. I was a stressed-out wreck by that time.
I understand people's desire to have an alarm system and to have it armed when they are not home, and I understand that they will want the panel to be located where it is convenient for them, so it is different in each home. But when they are selling, 
it does make it difficult for agents who are trying to show their home to potential buyers.
There is an easy solution to all of this in these days where so many sellers have alarm systems. Post in the MLS in BOLD that there is an alarm, and post the alarm code AND the location of the panel in the confidential agent remarks, or at the very least post in remarks the fact that those instructions will be in the lockbox along with the key.
******************
Susan Neal
Broker / Realtor
Century 21 Noel David Realty
Fair Oaks, California
Full time real estate services in Fair Oaks CA, with friendly professionalism, 30+ years experience.
I work hard to give my buyer or seller a low-stress
transaction.
"Happy clients make me happy."
For all your real estate needs or questions, call me at (916)705-8951or visit my website at www.SusanNealFineProperties.com.
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The LOCATION of the alarm BOX should have been IN the Agent's remarks along with the code.....sellers need to be cautioned by their agent that this is a BIG issue with agents showing their homes
Susan - SO TRUE!!!!! Let us know WHERE it's located. I had one that was located in the master bedroom, but I had to search both sides of the house to find the master bedroom. How hard would it have been to type: alarm panel in master bedroom to the right of the front door. I hope a ton of agents see this - it's such a simple solution.
Alarms can be stressful...have set a few off in my time, too!
Oh man, I had an experience with one (just once), it can be a hassle.
Hi Susan, Posting the Alarm code on line might not be the best idea. What I would do in a situation like this is have the listing agent meet you there for the showing. It then becomes their responsibility. At least it is a possible solution. I would not like to be put into the position were put in and these issues need to be worked out by the listing agent ahead of time. Or at least have the Seller disarm the alarm system for the showing period. I can well feel the anxiety you put through unnecessarily.
William - I was not suggesting that the alarm location and code be available to the public, but it could be either in the confidential agent remarks (seen only by logged-on MLS members) or inside the lockbox. That way only an authorized agent would be able to see it. And with our computerized lockboxes, the identity of the person opening the lockbox is sent by email to the listing agent immediately, so that is additional security for the seller.
We don't have many homes around our area, not much of a crime area. We do have a few and they are a pain. We have an REO right now that has an alarm and several times we've been called by the security company because agents just dropped by and never bothered to get the code from the office.
Susan-With just a bit of help and forethought by listing agents this can be solved pretty easily. It's no fun running for the security pad in an unfamiliar house. It would really be tough if I was in heels.
Wayne - Thankfully, I was not in heels. I learned that if I iwll be showing a lot of homes in a day - especially in 100 degree weather - that the more comfortable the shoes the better!
Susan, I've only set off one alarm and that was last summer. I followed the showing instructions - gave a courtesy call and 3 hours later set out to show the house and as soon as we opened there it went! I thought I was going to have a heart attack!!
Susan, I've set off one alarm and that was last year...gotta love the ones that don't tell you where the box is...oh well.
Susan, by the way...did you know that if you quickly and repeatedly bounce the cursor off your little cat's head that it will meow non-stop...just thought you would want to know that :))
Nick, have you been picking on my kitty? She will follow the cursor and sometimes will reach out to grab it, but she will also purr if you rub her tummy.
Susan, I know the anxiety one has when the police show up. It is fairly scary. I have an alarm story too, but it was funny later.
Cal
I’ve never set off an alarm, probably because I work mostly in condominium communities, and most of them are secured.
Susan: Ah ha. Here it is after a little searching. I love your story. It is just as the others have said. Now, who in their right mind would put a code box ONLY in the garage. Do these people never come in the front or back door? I can just imagine the running through the house, the Brinks call and the anxiety. Whew.