New Home Master Key Question (Howe: sales, new house, purchasing)

[Valkyra]

We are purchasing a new builder inventory home. As such, contractors have been and will be going in and out of the house. We asked the builder sales person what would be done before we purchased the house as far as the locks, because we thought we might have to change the locks ourselves. The sales person told us that they have a master key and the locks are not "set" to a specific key. She explained that once we close, and the house was turned over, we would put our key in the lock and when we turned it, it would set the lock to our key and the master key would no longer work. We've never heard of this -- does this sound legitimate -- or should we take an extra ounce of caution and change the locks? Thanks.

[CallMeLaura]

I remember hearing something like that on the Discovery Channel, but I'd definitely check with the manufacturer of your locks to make sure they offer it. You could also ask for someone with a master key to test before and after you use your key.

Congrats on the new house!

[m00se]

Originally Posted by CallMeLaura

I remember hearing something like that on the Discovery Channel, but I'd definitely check with the manufacturer of your locks to make sure they offer it. You could also ask for someone with a master key to test before and after you use your key.

Congrats on the new house!

That is indeed how it worked when I closed on my home in November. The builder inserted new keys which I was given and once those keys were used the master no longer worked. This was confirmed when one of the salesmen who did not know the lock was reset came by to show the house to someone else and his key did not work.

[nsumner]

Yes this is very legitimate. Once the actual house key goes in, the builder's key will not work anymore. However, if you want peace of mind, just rekey them after you move in. It only costs about $25 per lock.

Naima

[momof2dfw]

Yes, this is the case w/ most builders. HOWEVER, I've known of two cases where once the homeowners key was used it did NOT reset and the Master Key was still able to be used. One was a neighbor and the repairman showed up before they had gotten home and let himself in with his master key. That kind of freaked them out. The second incident was our own house and the master key still worked even several months later. I had the lock changed out ASAP after that incident.