Had a client once who skipped the lock change—ended up with a random dog walker letting themselves in a week later. Not fun. That “just in case” key thing is way more common than people think. Spending $100 now beats dealing with a headache later.
Had a tenant once who swore they’d gotten every spare key back from the previous owner. Fast forward two months—pizza guy shows up with a “Hey, I used to deliver here, just dropping something off for the last owner” and lets himself in like he owns the place. Tenant freaked out, I nearly choked on my coffee.
Honestly, I used to think changing locks right away was overkill, but after that? Not worth the risk. There’s always that one “emergency” key floating around—sometimes even the neighbors have it and forget to mention it. Hundred bucks for new locks is nothing compared to the hassle of explaining why a stranger just waltzed into your living room. I guess you don’t really appreciate it until you’ve had a surprise visitor or two...
There’s always that one “emergency” key floating around—sometimes even the neighbors have it and forget to mention it. Hundred bucks for new locks is nothing compared to the hassle of expla...
I get the logic behind changing locks right away, but I’ve always felt it’s a bit situational. Sometimes, if you know the previous owner personally or it’s a new build, the risk seems lower. That said, your story about the pizza guy is wild—definitely makes me rethink how “overkill” it really is. I guess peace of mind is worth more than the cost sometimes.
Changing locks always feels like one of those “better safe than sorry” things, even if it seems a bit much at first. I’ve seen cases where folks thought they knew everyone with a key, only to find out later that a contractor or even a distant relative still had one. Even with new builds, sometimes subs or inspectors have copies floating around. It’s a small price for not having to wonder who might stroll in unannounced… especially after hearing stories like the pizza guy!
Changing locks is one of those things that seems unnecessary until you hear a story like the pizza guy or, in my case, the neighbor’s ex showing up with an old key. Even if you trust the sellers, you just never know who else had access. It’s a quick job and gives real peace of mind—definitely worth bumping to the top of the to-do list right after closing.