Sellers have different lifestyles and different needs for controlling the real estate agents' use of the lockbox on their home--often the needs vary from day to day.

1. The first message "We're Home" will be used to prevent agents from unexpectedly appearing in the home. It's great for use when the resident is a little late leaving when an appointment has been scheduled. Another use is to have latch-key kids put it on as soon as they come home from school so no one comes into the home when they are alone. It also prevents elderly people from being unnecessarily startled.

2. The reverse of that card indicates that the home "Has Been Sold". It permits use of the lockbox for the necessary inspections by the buyer's representatives, but restrains the agent who is not aware that an offer has been accepted.

3. Although the listing information usually will indicate if a pet needs to be secured before a showing, agents do not always have this information available when showing properties to a buyer. The "Our Pet May Be Loose" card will help prevent a pet from escaping or being agressive to a stranger.

4. Security alarm information can be overlooked in the listing information, or the agent may, again, not have it when deciding to show a home on the spur of the moment. This Access Control Card will help prevent a loud alarm that the agent isn't able to turn off, or a visit from the police.

5. The Access Control Card that reads "No Showings Today - We're Sorry for the Inconvenience" would most likely be used if an appointment had been made to show the home, but the seller didn't write down the name and phone number of the agent who was to come. If someone comes home from work very ill, or a toilet overflows, or some other household disaster strikes, the seller cannot call the agent and cancel the appointment. This card was developed because "things happen!"

6. We know that many families have schedules where one may work nights and sleep days. They usually will turn off the ringer on the telephone so they are not disturbed. This also results in the agent calling and leaving a message, according to the instructions "Call First-Lockbox", that the home will be shown, and then proceeds to do just that. The "Day Sleeper" card will prevent the agent and buyer from the embarrassment of walking into a bedroom with someone asleep.