This is the latest in a series of 'Buyer's Guides' that feature questions to ask and options to consider before making a new purchase. See our previous guides to purchasing a CMA, CRM, Document and Transaction Management, Electronic Signature, iPad App, and Lead Generation solution.

What do I Need to Know about Lockboxes?

Lockboxes have become standard for most real estate professionals. You've become accustomed to seeing them on your own listings and those of others – but are you really taking advantage of what this technology has to offer? A lockbox can be so much more than a mere security and accessibility tool. It gathers valuable data that can be used to make important strategic decisions about your listings. By doing your research and being selective, you can unlock the possibilities of this new technology.

Questions to Ask

There are some important questions to ask when buying any real estate technology product and some that are unique to choosing a lockbox.

First, let's look at general questions you'll want to ask.

• What are my objectives for this piece of technology and will this product help me achieve those objectives?
• What is my budget?
• What kind of customer service and training programs are available? Are there webinars and, if so, are they recorded so you can view them at any time? Is the vendor's online help sufficient?