This one may get me in trouble with some of my peers, but it is important, so here goes.

First, some background.

In most cases, when a buyer’s agents schedule appointments for showings, they find the properties on MLS and print the listing sheets.

They then call the number on the sheet designated for scheduling appointments and take note of the showing instructions.

That information will vary depending on the listing.

In some cases, the agent must be present. Others may have an MLS lock, currently the Sentrilock is the lock of choice. Others may have a combination lock.

When the agent must be present, the buyer and the buyer’s agent must conform to the schedule of the listing agent. That is prohibitive, at times, and the listing is not shown.

Another downside: Buyers will not speak freely in the presence of the other agent and usually tries to get out of the property as soon as possible.

Conversely, there are many times in which the listing agent is quite helpful, sharing knowledge of the home that the buyer’s agent would not possess.

Additionally, it is safer for the buyer’s agent, especially in upper-end homes, with the psychos running around out there.

The Sentrilock is a good option inasmuch as the technology allows the listing agent, as well as Realtracs, to know exactly what agent’s key card was used to initiate the lockbox.

When the lockbox is utilized, the listing agent is notified as to which agent activated which lockbox and when.

Combination locks are a different subject altogether. Remember that the agent writes the showing information on the MLS printout and that sheet has the address, even the directions as to how to get to the property.

If that sheet falls into the hands of someone inclined to break into a home, the person now has access.

In a more innocuous example, suppose the buyer liked the house, wanted to show a friend or relative and did not want to inconvenience the Realtor.

The buyer could simply waltz into the home.

They are not as effective or safe as the Sentrilock. But they are a fraction of the price, hence their popularity.

Any homeowner who has a combination lock on his house should throw another log on the fire, since they don’t know who might make an appearance for dinner.

Sales of the Week

There are two sales of interest this week, each in close proximity to the other.

One rests atop the Overlook Drive and does just that with spectacular views looking forward and John Rich’s Mount Richmore looming behind. The home at 3211 Overlook sold in four days for its list price of $297,500 after having been listed by Anne McGugin of Fridrich and Clark, whose in-laws are the McGugins of Vanderbilt football lore just around the corner.

This modest structure boasts a well-unitized 1,035 square feet, with an updated kitchen, all 12 by 8 feet of it, and new baths.

The owner had purchased the home for $250,000 in 2008 on the cusp of the Great Recession. Stacy DeSoto of Reliant Realty brought the buyer and beat the rest of the Nashville agents to the punch on this home with hardwood and tile floors, three bedrooms and one full bath.

Another reasonably priced property sold last week, this one at 227 15th Avenue North on the Church Street side of 15th.

This home sold for $240,000 after having been listed for a whopping $345,000 by Paula Burch of Keller Williams.

Paula made a name for herself as the queen of the bus benches, as she was one of the first to utilize the Metro bus benches in her marketing and reaped magnificent rewards as a result.

Her listing on 15th has 1,749 square feet and had four bedrooms and two full baths.

She described it as a ‘lovely historic home, near the central business district, excellent for small office, law office, doctors dental offices, zoned CCF core community frame, 12 foot ceilings, New A/C.”

She hit all the key words with that one.

Richard Courtney is affiliated with Christianson, Patterson, Courtney, and Associates and can be reached at [email protected].