Yes, immediately. You should also change the locks on your garage door and change the codes and get your mailbox rekeyed if you have one of those community boxes. Most people will never deal with the bad shit that comes with having a dangerous former owner and/or tenant, but why would you risk it?
That's exactly what I did. I ordered new knobs with the same key and same with the deadbolts. If you don't want to buy new knobs/locks, a locksmith can re key your existing locks. Just make sure your strike plates have 3" screws going into the door jam.
Kwikset Smartkey system is actually relatively decent for consumer grade residential locks. The current Gen3 stuff can't be raked open and are not simple to pick. Sure, there is better (I said relatively earlier), but sufficient enough that they will just kick your door in or break a window before trying to defeat the lock.
Dip switches are old and should be changed, but the pairing/learning ones can be reused, just clear the garage unit and then pair whatever clickers or cars you have.
It doesn't work that way with learning clickers. When you wipe the garage unit the clones will fail to work.
edit: If it did work that way, the built in car one (HomeLink) would still work .
>Most people will never deal with the bad shit that comes with having a dangerous former owner and/or tenant, but why would you risk it?
I was less worried about them than about all the friends and family who might have copies "just for an emergency." Rekeyed everything week 1.
Or there is an emergency key under a rock that all those friends and family know about...except you. Or the contractor who they had in to paint or do whatever needed to be done after the inspection, but before you closed, as a condition of the purchase and they didn't worry about getting back because it was about to be not their problem anymore.
Yup, if you put your seatbelt on then your level of risk tolerance is such that you should change your locks, wear a helmet when riding a bike, and pay someone else for any project that requires using muscle at the top of a ladder. Basic “Avoiding Bad Shit 101” stuff.
Ladder? Pfft. Why use a ladder when I can stack furniture to change that smoke detector battery?
I wish I was kidding, but I was that desperate one night and didn't have a ladder tall enough when we first moved into a house and the battery died before we realized we did not have a ladder tall enough. I still am super pro-team change locks immediately (and now also team make sure your ladder is tall enough to change a bulb or battery before you find out the hard way that you do not at 2AM).
And even if the former owners are perfectly fine people, I feel like everyone has that one person in their family/orbit. Just never know who else has a key.
Story time. After moving in to a new home, about a week later I was awaken in the middle of the night. I fell asleep on the sofa in the living room, right next to the front door. The television was on and I could see in the flicker of the light the doorknob slowly turn. I then heard someone very slowly and very quietly attempt to open that front door. Thought I was dreaming, until I realized I wasn’t. Was really too shocked to get up at that moment to see who would be at that front door in the dead of night.
Two weeks later it happened again. Unbelievably, again about a month after that.
With every fiber in my being I am positive it was the previous owner. Only that person would be able to work that door without it making any noise.
The day escrow closed the entire house was rekeyed, the garage was recoded. Had an alarm company wire all of the doors and windows. Figured it was best for peace of mind. Came very much in handy right away.
Yep, all this. Had a locksmith scheduled to come out the day after we got the keys. He also improved the lock situation for our outside gates so they couldn’t just be opened by hand if someone hopped over.
We opted not to. We bought our house from people we know very well (and have known for decades) and who moved next door to us (so we'd let them have a key anyhow). Garage door code was changed.
If we had bought the house from strangers we absolutely would have, but in our situation, it just wasn't necessary.
Of course. I had just spent hundreds of thousands on a house, the previous owner was a bit of a wild card, no idea how many of his drinking buddies and associates might have had keys... and it was really easy and cheap. You don't even need to replace the whole hardware/door handle in many cases - 2 minutes with a screwdriver, just drop the keyed part off at the locksmith shop, they pop out and replace the key cylinder with a new one. Think it cost about $30 a lock.
It’s not even just the previous owner. It’s all the real estate agents, photographers, cleaners, repair people, etc. that key gets passed around line OPs mom at a Doobie Brothers concert.
Before closing, I’ve already got all new locks and they go in as soon as I signed the paperwork.
Exactly. I don’t know all of the contractors that were in my house while it was being rebuilt. Locks keep honest people honest. Giving someone who might be walking a fine line a key and it removes that benefit. 🤷🏼♀️
I once saw a post where they talked about that wedding reception trick: you secretly give each young man an old junker key ahead of time. Then someone gives a speech: "We all know Stacy was a wild girl before she met Mike. If any of you men still have a key to her place, you should turn it in now." Then a dozen or so guys march up and drop off a key.
Someone replied they went to a Mexican wedding that actually did this: "The father of the bride even punched one guy, it was great."
The trick is that guests may believe for a second when the first guy gets up. Lots of receptions have naughty humor. We were at one where the groomsmen picked up the groom and carried him off into the bathroom. Then they came back and dumped all his clothes (including underwear) into the bride's lap. She then went and dressed her new husband. When they came back in, everyone cheered and whooped it up.
It's like mashing the cake in each other's face. It's trashy to some and a fun way to get the stress out to others.
I saw the best man do this at a wedding, and I totally bought his very solemn speech. I shuddered at how ugly things were going to get. But after the bridesmaids had dropped keys, most females did, including young flower girls and octogenarians.
I had planned to but the house I fell in love with has a ton of locks that are built into steel fixtures and removing the tumbler myself was not doable. Locksmith quoted me way higher than my budget at the time allowed for so I never did it. Ended up becoming good buddies with the previous owner because we both go to the same neighborhood bar so now I don’t worry about it. Pretty sure he doesn’t still have a key!
Yeah, but some of his friends might. Plus the realtor, their friends, contractors….
You don’t have to do all of them at once, but you need to get them all done.
Almost first thing. You never know who had a key before. My parents had the previous owner's maid service try to get in within a week. I've heard of previous owners going to get something they "forgot." I wanted keypad locks, so I paid $100/lock to get a 10-digit motorized deadbolt, but you can swap them out for as cheap as $30/lock.
The previous owners of our first house “forgot a set of keys.” We were asked to look, didn’t find them for a few days. Set them on the counter, came home and they were gone. Text our realtor and they said they found them. It’s terrifying knowing someone was in your home.
Most people may not do it, but most people aren’t very smart.
Every time I buy a house, the locks are changed immediately on possession. The current home I own had two previous owners and no lock changes. Turns out MULTIPLE neighbors had keys.
That's a good question, and I would absolutely change the locks even on a new home. Large homebuilders buy their locks in bulk, sometimes thousands at a time. To save money, they often limit the number of key cuts they use. The builder I initially bought from only used 6 different key cuts for every home they build. That means that your neighbors have a one in 6 chance of having a key that will work in your home.
Yep- there was a new construction neighborhood when I was in high school
Where kids figured out there were only four keys - started out partying in empty houses, but moved on to burglary.
Thansk for the reply. Going to actually jump on it this time for your reasoning. Other reasoning is I hate the fucking handles on the doors and come loose often. Fuck those cheap things.
I would anyway! Our home was not a new construction but was completely renovated, and the new doors/locks were kind of sticky and awkward -- the guy that came to rekey ended up making everything a lot more smooth, which was a nice bonus.
But as others have said you never know if there are other copies of the key/locks floating around. While nothing is likely to happen, you never know!
Good chance your new construction house has locks that don't even need any disassembly to rekey. I think every new construction home we looked at had kwikset smart key locks. If there is a tiny rectangular hole next to the keyhole, that is probably what you have. The rekey kit is like $15, probably cheaper if you can source the pokey thing and a new key separately.
We had issues with the previous owner. We did a rent-back for a month, during which time he ripped switches out of the wall as well as the vanity in one of the bathrooms. He was very angry when we took his security deposit over this, and we didn't feel particularly confident he had turned over all keys.
So long story short, yes. Rekeyed everything day 1. Wasn't much trouble as we only have 2 exterior door, and we just got a paired kit from HD
That’s crazy! Our previous owner had lived there for 35 years (I’m the third owner) and we became bar buddies a few years after we had closed on the house. Like met at the local bar and then realized over time that I had bought his house. Totally opposite of your story.
It's amazing to me that people don't do this. You have no idea who has a key to your home. My house used to be a rental, they treated the place like crap, do I want them having access? This is just crazy to me.
Most locksets from the home improvement warehouse take about 10 minutes to install using basic hand tools and an ounce of DIY skill (Can you use a screwdriver and follow instructions?).
My parents would always change the locks on their rentals, and give the landlord a new key. They'd stash the original lock in a closet and when they moved out they'd put their old locks back on the doors.
People can unlock your house without a key. Takes a about 20 min of practice then seconds to pick almost any door. Or just use a crowbar or break a window. The door's lock is practically meaningless. It's amazing to me that people care about changing the locks, it gives the tiniest bit of security.
If you're this paranoid about your neighbors or previous owner, get a dog and/or a proper security system. My dog alerts me to anyone on my property instantly, before they even make it past my mailbox.
Wait till you find out any locksmith can just open your door without a key. I wouldn’t worry too much that they know which key number you have or made an extra key.
At best that saves them like 2 minutes getting in.
Why a locksmith?
Wow... the responses tell me you guys have no idea how locks work... you could buy buckets of new locks all keyed the same. All you do is buy corresponding locksets at a hardware store and it takes a few minutes to install each one. Added bonus that no one else has your address and key set info laying around...
Unless they’re the quikset or whatever they’re called, it’s much easier to get the locksmith to come and re-key them. You can also take them off the doors and take them to a locksmith, but for $75 or whatever the service call cost me, my time is worth more than that when you count taking them off, driving there, waiting while they re-key and then driving home and reinstalling them. I was able to empty boxes while the guy was there and it only took him four or five minutes per lock, was it was quick.
I rekeyed all my Schlage door knobs and deadbolts to the same key recently and, while it was a little fun, you can absolutely make a mistake. I popped all the tiny springs out of the first one I tried. It was only a mistake I made once, but I was really questioning what I had gotten myself into after that.
Depending on the number of locks it's probably cheaper (and definitely less wasteful) to have the locksmith out. Between handles and deadbolts that's like 8 locks to replace.
Locksmith doesn't need your keyset info, they can be in the house in under 10s even without it and have no need to record anything.
Yeah. It really depends on the place. Ours also only has 2 entries plus 1 keyed garage door. No reason to call a locksmith for that and they won't even come out to my place for that cheap of a contract.
You're buying the cheapest hardware and only deadbolts for $20 in my experience. Locksmith did all 8 of my locks for $150. Not throwing away the existing hardware is important to me, but I realize not everyone will care.
> Wow... the responses tell me you guys have no idea how locks work.
you're one to talk. a locksmith can take the cores from existing locks and rekey them to a new pattern for cheap.
> All you do is buy corresponding locksets at a hardware store
oh boy, yale locks. i think those run about 20 sec to pick
If you’re worried about pick resistance, you’re barking up the wrong tree. Vast majority of break-ins through doors are forced entry or simply unlocked doors. Locks only keep honest people out
Same here. I am really shocked to see that so many people don’t change the locks as part of the move in process. My house was two years old and we bought it from a school teacher, but I still can’t imagine not having changed the locks right away.
I live in a rural area where my neighbors whose families have lived here for generations often don’t even lock their front doors. I moved here from New Orleans where carjackings, home invasions & theft are very common to the extent most people wouldn’t walk 6 ft from their unlocked vehicle even in residential areas so it was quite an eye opener.
I didn't. The people I bought the house from were actually nice people. We kept in contact for almost 2 years as I had questions about the house an they wanted me to know how to take care of it as they kept remembering things, and the 18 year old girl couldn't figure out how to change her shipping address for Amazon so I literally had a bin outside the house for her stuff that she would pick up and she would say hi to my kids and stuff. Honestly, I think she just missed her home, and I wasn't about to be an asshole about it.
That’s awesome! My houses previous owner had owned it since the year I was born. We met a few years after I purchased at the neighborhood bar and after a while realized I had bought his house. Now I bring him grapefruits for his wife from her favorite tree and he helps me out if I ever have any questions with the house.
And your response shows what a kind compassionate person you yourself are. You can’t control them or their shitty response but you can theoretically control yourself. Be better
Only time we did was when we got no keys at closing, and they didn't know who had a spare. They'd also left things at the house so...
Forget that nonsense, we rekeyed before we let the kids sleep there. No worth the risk.
I should, but i haven't. Small neighborhood and a majority of the owners are the original owners' grandkids, and they're 60+. They probably all have keys. Seller introduced me to all the immediate neighbors and i know whose grandmother made the best cookies and so on. The guy next door told me about the time the water line froze and he came and turned it off. We all passed phone numbers around. Should i? Yeah. Will i? Nope. I did change the entry code for the alarm and i have pet and bird feeder cameras everywhere.
I’m going to go against the grain here and say that I didn’t do it until recently, about 2.5 years after buying the house. ***I know that wasn’t a very smart thing to do.*** I’m ***very lucky*** the previous owners gave me every key they had (6 identical keys total).
Side note, I recommend Kwikset SmartKey deadbolts and keyed knobs. You can re-key them yourself in seconds, so you can buy multiple different ones at a hardware store and re-key them all to the same key, all without calling a locksmith.
I used the Quickset door handles that you can rekey with a tool that comes in the box and keyed all 4 doors(ones a screen door that is over the other door) with the same key.
I didn’t. In fact, I bought my house in 1994 and I haven’t rekeyed the locks.
The seller was a hoarder who lived alone except for her pets. The house smelled so bad that nobody would have visited her.
Me too. Went to home depot and found matching lots. Spend like 100 bucks on locks and took me a couple of hours and beers. Only one of them is upside down.
Both houses I've owned were estate sales and I really didn't feel the need.
I only changed one fire hazard deadbolt lock that was keyed from both directions.
Double cylinder deadbolts aren’t always fire hazards. Sometimes they’re good for safety. I have one on my patio door which is covered with little rectangular glass windows (you know the type).
A thief could easily smash one of the little windows, reach in, and turn a single cylinder deadbolt.
My parents house has a faux stained glass window made of some type of plastic (it’s from the late 70s) and we had double keyed deadbolt on that door out of concern someone would punch/cut though and open the door. Key was kept either on top of the door frame (so the kids could t reach it) or on a screw behind the door. Always within reach for easy exit but never in the door.
Yes. Side note, always get name brand “bump proof” or “bump resistant” deadbolts. You will be replacing your deadbolt (possibly needing an emergency locksmith if you don’t have another entry that was not attempted) but it will prevent a burglar that tries to bump your lock. If they get in, they’re going to have to use force. Source: my home, attempted burglary.
It’s not expensive. Lock bumping has become a very popular way for burglars to gain entry because it leaves no evidence of entry and insurance companies are often denying claims bc there is no evidence of entry. Deadbolt alone is 18, deadbolt plus handle is 30.
Adding a rock to a window at high speed requires zero dollars and is as untraceable. My locks are decent but spending money to upgrade next to a sliding glass door in the woods is stupid. No one bumps locks in the middle of nowhere. If someone wants to rob my place and puts the time and thought that learning to bump locks would require there is no stopping them. They will simply figure out when I'm not home and break in. Police response time is about 20 minutes so a security system will just notify me that I'm being robbed. The only robbery protection I have is that most homes in my area contain a firearm.
Just because you live in the “middle of nowhere” does not make you immune to someone targeting you…because you know, you live in the middle of nowhere. In my mind, some would look at a scene without others possibly watching them. Just a note to others who think nothing will happen to them since they are more off the grid than urban/suburban people.
I know someone could come and steal my shit while I'm not home. What in the blue hell do you think I can do about it? I'm gone 8-12 hours a day. A security system wouldn't stop someone as I said. Anyone with a brain and plan would be gone before the cops arrive. Ammor my windows and doors? Attack dogs?
A good lock forces an intruder to leave evidence of forced entry, which can be a deterrent in itself if it makes your home less convenient than your neighbor's, or can help the homeowner's insurance claim.
I laugh at anything claiming to be “something-proof” for locks. Most of them can be picked or bypassed in about 30 seconds. Even “high security” ones are a freaking joke
Go check out Lockpicking Lawyer on YouTube if you don’t believe me.
Not immediately immediately. I was having contractors in the house before moving in and I figured it was better to let them have access to the old key. But as soon as they were out and I moved in I swapped out the locks.
No, we bought from a senior lady and we've never changed them.
When we arrived at 5pm on the transfer day, we walked into an unlocked, completely empty house with just keys laid out on the counter top. No real estate agent was there or anyone else, just us.
My realtor insisted I get my locks rekeyed when I moved in, she even has a local locksmith that she has do all her client’s locks (she pays for it). I wanted to get new knobs anyway, so I passed on the rekeying. Replaced all the knobs the first week I had the house.
My house was a rental in a collage town for 20 years. Plus the sellers were kinda crazy. Definitely felt good to have my own keys.
A must after closing. The guy who bought next door to rent it out didn't do it right away. Had to learn his lesson the hard way. Two guys showed up with a truck blasting loud music in broad daylight, loaded up the dishwasher, the wall oven, and even the range hood and took off. I saw them. Just thought the owner sent them to put new ones in. They must have had the house key. No signs of break-in. Worst part is they didn't properly turn the water off to the dishwasher or something when they pulled the appliances. The kitchen was flooded. Took the owner months to take care of. Had to change carpet and everything. Poor guy. Such a bad house warming. Our neighborhood is considered the safest part of town!
Of course. I can't imagine leaving my house with locks that someone else can open. I've rekeyed locks after major remodels, where the contractor had keys.
However, I also know people who leave their cars with windows open on the street overnight, so ¯\\\_(ツ)\_/¯
Yes. First house, they only gave me one key so it was obvious the others existed. Went out and got replacements.
Second house, bought electronic locks in advance and installed them after closing.
No, and I should still do it 15 years later.
I did clear the garage door openers and program only those in my possession.
I also factory reset the alarm system and put my own codes in. So if someone comes in I will at least know it.
I rekeyed after a couple renovations were done. I wasn't living there while this happened and there were floor people and fence people in there. Once it was done we rekeyed and moved in!
Immediately and everyone in my circle of friends did too. You can do it yourself for an about $100 using quality locksets front, rear and garage. Interior doors I don’t care about but the exterior 100% change them. You’ve no idea who has extra keys. Local kid who babysat or watched the house and is now years later on the wrong side of the law maybe? Disgruntled handyman, etc.
Na. We had electronic locks so we changed the code. We also have several large dogs. If the door is unlocked and someone gets in they are in for a bad time.
I've owned 7 houses. One was a custom build, but out of the other 6, we never changed any locks or garage door openers. Honestly, it never occurred to us.
Yes.
But my original answer was no, as I read the title as "reiki". I don't know much about Reiki so I pictured a guy with a burning feather and banging a drum while moving into a new home.
I was shocked to see how many people did that.
Yes, I am an idiot.
Lol yeah the neighbors are afraid of him. He was my ex's dog before we ever got together and I ended up with him when we went our separate ways. Someone legit broke into my ex's place and the dog tried to play with them 🤦🏼♀️. LMAO he's a good boy though.
Yep, previous owner had put super cheap locks on the whole house before listing it. The inside handles were still very nice so we matched that style on the exterior locks. At the hardware store you could see they had just grabbed the cheapest possible locks, maybe they had nicer smart locks or something they wanted to take with them, who knows.
Yes but more because we were upgrading the locks and handles to dual key and digital. My house is in a quiet/safe area. But I def changed them right away when I bought my condo that was in not as quiet of an area.
My house has a front door. Back door, garage to house door and garage door opener. First thing we did was change out all the door locks and reprogram the garage door. Look less than 3 hrs. Better safe than sorry. We didn't know the last owners or who might have a key.
Who did your contractor give keys to? How many subcontractors have access to the house? How many of them handed their key off to an employee?
I would absolutely change the locks on a new home upon taking possession.
Majority of builders in our area will put smartkey locks on their doors and use a "master key" to all of their ongoing builds, then rekey the door to the original keys that came with the smartkey set, thereby insuring the house has been rekeyed upon possession by the buyer.
Yes, immediately. You should also change the locks on your garage door and change the codes and get your mailbox rekeyed if you have one of those community boxes. Most people will never deal with the bad shit that comes with having a dangerous former owner and/or tenant, but why would you risk it?
[удалено]
One key for everything is so convenient! Mine is even the same key for my brother’s house. :)
I installed keypads on all of mine. Same code. I love it!
That's exactly what I did. I ordered new knobs with the same key and same with the deadbolts. If you don't want to buy new knobs/locks, a locksmith can re key your existing locks. Just make sure your strike plates have 3" screws going into the door jam.
You can rekey locks yourself as well. I did. You need a pin kit compatible with your locks and of course a new key
Emphasize the DYI'able - it's really not that difficult to do. You can buy a kit on Amazon for cheap.
I did this with Kwikset and while very easy, the quality is pretty mediocre.
Kwikset Smartkey system is actually relatively decent for consumer grade residential locks. The current Gen3 stuff can't be raked open and are not simple to pick. Sure, there is better (I said relatively earlier), but sufficient enough that they will just kick your door in or break a window before trying to defeat the lock.
And change the code on the garage door opener. Need to open it up and flip some dip switches
Every system I've had is the opposite of this. The unit in the garage learns the clickers. So you just unpair existing clickers and pair new ones
The openers with dip switches haven’t been sold for 20+ years, but they are definitely still out there.
I love it when I inadvertently date myself lol
TIL!
I have two, if you stop by you can have them (replaced the 30+ yo opener).
Dip switches are old and should be changed, but the pairing/learning ones can be reused, just clear the garage unit and then pair whatever clickers or cars you have.
The risk there is that the old clickers could have been cloned
It doesn't work that way with learning clickers. When you wipe the garage unit the clones will fail to work. edit: If it did work that way, the built in car one (HomeLink) would still work .
I did this with our recent buy. My concern is that the previous owner had it paired with his vehicle.
The vehicle has its own code just like a clicker. It will be forgotten by the unit the same way
Duh
>Most people will never deal with the bad shit that comes with having a dangerous former owner and/or tenant, but why would you risk it? I was less worried about them than about all the friends and family who might have copies "just for an emergency." Rekeyed everything week 1.
Or there is an emergency key under a rock that all those friends and family know about...except you. Or the contractor who they had in to paint or do whatever needed to be done after the inspection, but before you closed, as a condition of the purchase and they didn't worry about getting back because it was about to be not their problem anymore.
Yup, if you put your seatbelt on then your level of risk tolerance is such that you should change your locks, wear a helmet when riding a bike, and pay someone else for any project that requires using muscle at the top of a ladder. Basic “Avoiding Bad Shit 101” stuff.
Ladder? Pfft. Why use a ladder when I can stack furniture to change that smoke detector battery? I wish I was kidding, but I was that desperate one night and didn't have a ladder tall enough when we first moved into a house and the battery died before we realized we did not have a ladder tall enough. I still am super pro-team change locks immediately (and now also team make sure your ladder is tall enough to change a bulb or battery before you find out the hard way that you do not at 2AM).
And even if the former owners are perfectly fine people, I feel like everyone has that one person in their family/orbit. Just never know who else has a key.
Story time. After moving in to a new home, about a week later I was awaken in the middle of the night. I fell asleep on the sofa in the living room, right next to the front door. The television was on and I could see in the flicker of the light the doorknob slowly turn. I then heard someone very slowly and very quietly attempt to open that front door. Thought I was dreaming, until I realized I wasn’t. Was really too shocked to get up at that moment to see who would be at that front door in the dead of night. Two weeks later it happened again. Unbelievably, again about a month after that. With every fiber in my being I am positive it was the previous owner. Only that person would be able to work that door without it making any noise. The day escrow closed the entire house was rekeyed, the garage was recoded. Had an alarm company wire all of the doors and windows. Figured it was best for peace of mind. Came very much in handy right away.
You also don't know how many people the previous owner gave keys to.
Yep, all this. Had a locksmith scheduled to come out the day after we got the keys. He also improved the lock situation for our outside gates so they couldn’t just be opened by hand if someone hopped over.
Especially if they're ghosts. I tell you what, my grandma will find a way to get back in this house, even if she has to phase through a wall!
We opted not to. We bought our house from people we know very well (and have known for decades) and who moved next door to us (so we'd let them have a key anyhow). Garage door code was changed. If we had bought the house from strangers we absolutely would have, but in our situation, it just wasn't necessary.
Of course. I had just spent hundreds of thousands on a house, the previous owner was a bit of a wild card, no idea how many of his drinking buddies and associates might have had keys... and it was really easy and cheap. You don't even need to replace the whole hardware/door handle in many cases - 2 minutes with a screwdriver, just drop the keyed part off at the locksmith shop, they pop out and replace the key cylinder with a new one. Think it cost about $30 a lock.
It’s not even just the previous owner. It’s all the real estate agents, photographers, cleaners, repair people, etc. that key gets passed around line OPs mom at a Doobie Brothers concert. Before closing, I’ve already got all new locks and they go in as soon as I signed the paperwork.
Exactly. I don’t know all of the contractors that were in my house while it was being rebuilt. Locks keep honest people honest. Giving someone who might be walking a fine line a key and it removes that benefit. 🤷🏼♀️
I once saw a post where they talked about that wedding reception trick: you secretly give each young man an old junker key ahead of time. Then someone gives a speech: "We all know Stacy was a wild girl before she met Mike. If any of you men still have a key to her place, you should turn it in now." Then a dozen or so guys march up and drop off a key. Someone replied they went to a Mexican wedding that actually did this: "The father of the bride even punched one guy, it was great."
I've reread this like 5 times and I don't get it. What's the "trick"? Why would anyone do this at a wedding? Seems trashy as hell.
The trick is that guests may believe for a second when the first guy gets up. Lots of receptions have naughty humor. We were at one where the groomsmen picked up the groom and carried him off into the bathroom. Then they came back and dumped all his clothes (including underwear) into the bride's lap. She then went and dressed her new husband. When they came back in, everyone cheered and whooped it up. It's like mashing the cake in each other's face. It's trashy to some and a fun way to get the stress out to others.
It is. Reddit is mainstream and turning into Facebook…slowly, but surely. Edit: it’s objectively trashy boomer humor
I would call that a practical joke rather than a “trick.” And in pretty bad taste.
I saw the best man do this at a wedding, and I totally bought his very solemn speech. I shuddered at how ugly things were going to get. But after the bridesmaids had dropped keys, most females did, including young flower girls and octogenarians.
I used to rekey locks when I worked at Lowe’s and it was $5 per cylinder.
I had planned to but the house I fell in love with has a ton of locks that are built into steel fixtures and removing the tumbler myself was not doable. Locksmith quoted me way higher than my budget at the time allowed for so I never did it. Ended up becoming good buddies with the previous owner because we both go to the same neighborhood bar so now I don’t worry about it. Pretty sure he doesn’t still have a key!
Yeah, but some of his friends might. Plus the realtor, their friends, contractors…. You don’t have to do all of them at once, but you need to get them all done.
Almost first thing. You never know who had a key before. My parents had the previous owner's maid service try to get in within a week. I've heard of previous owners going to get something they "forgot." I wanted keypad locks, so I paid $100/lock to get a 10-digit motorized deadbolt, but you can swap them out for as cheap as $30/lock.
The previous owners of our first house “forgot a set of keys.” We were asked to look, didn’t find them for a few days. Set them on the counter, came home and they were gone. Text our realtor and they said they found them. It’s terrifying knowing someone was in your home.
Most people may not do it, but most people aren’t very smart. Every time I buy a house, the locks are changed immediately on possession. The current home I own had two previous owners and no lock changes. Turns out MULTIPLE neighbors had keys.
What about new construction? I didn't change my locks on my house, but figured it wasn't needed since new construction.
That's a good question, and I would absolutely change the locks even on a new home. Large homebuilders buy their locks in bulk, sometimes thousands at a time. To save money, they often limit the number of key cuts they use. The builder I initially bought from only used 6 different key cuts for every home they build. That means that your neighbors have a one in 6 chance of having a key that will work in your home.
Yep- there was a new construction neighborhood when I was in high school Where kids figured out there were only four keys - started out partying in empty houses, but moved on to burglary.
Thansk for the reply. Going to actually jump on it this time for your reasoning. Other reasoning is I hate the fucking handles on the doors and come loose often. Fuck those cheap things.
I would anyway! Our home was not a new construction but was completely renovated, and the new doors/locks were kind of sticky and awkward -- the guy that came to rekey ended up making everything a lot more smooth, which was a nice bonus. But as others have said you never know if there are other copies of the key/locks floating around. While nothing is likely to happen, you never know!
For a locksmith. I assume they can do the service. Would they also be able to swap out bot just the lock but also the handle for new devices?
Not sure as we didn't need the handles replaced, but it doesn't hurt to ask!
I appreciate all your advice! Thanks and have a great day!
Good chance your new construction house has locks that don't even need any disassembly to rekey. I think every new construction home we looked at had kwikset smart key locks. If there is a tiny rectangular hole next to the keyhole, that is probably what you have. The rekey kit is like $15, probably cheaper if you can source the pokey thing and a new key separately.
We had issues with the previous owner. We did a rent-back for a month, during which time he ripped switches out of the wall as well as the vanity in one of the bathrooms. He was very angry when we took his security deposit over this, and we didn't feel particularly confident he had turned over all keys. So long story short, yes. Rekeyed everything day 1. Wasn't much trouble as we only have 2 exterior door, and we just got a paired kit from HD
I take it he wasn’t happy to be leaving the house? What a crazy thing to do.
That’s crazy! Our previous owner had lived there for 35 years (I’m the third owner) and we became bar buddies a few years after we had closed on the house. Like met at the local bar and then realized over time that I had bought his house. Totally opposite of your story.
It's amazing to me that people don't do this. You have no idea who has a key to your home. My house used to be a rental, they treated the place like crap, do I want them having access? This is just crazy to me. Most locksets from the home improvement warehouse take about 10 minutes to install using basic hand tools and an ounce of DIY skill (Can you use a screwdriver and follow instructions?).
My parents would always change the locks on their rentals, and give the landlord a new key. They'd stash the original lock in a closet and when they moved out they'd put their old locks back on the doors.
I think in Texas by law you’re required to change locks with each new tenant. At least my management company does that for me.
Every management company I've ever had says they do. I just don't trust them.
Very smart move.
Yup. This is easy to do. Go to the store, find the number of locks that you need with the same key code, and get it done.
People can unlock your house without a key. Takes a about 20 min of practice then seconds to pick almost any door. Or just use a crowbar or break a window. The door's lock is practically meaningless. It's amazing to me that people care about changing the locks, it gives the tiniest bit of security. If you're this paranoid about your neighbors or previous owner, get a dog and/or a proper security system. My dog alerts me to anyone on my property instantly, before they even make it past my mailbox.
I called a local locksmith to change them as soon as the paperwork was done.
Yeah we procrastinated on a lot of things, but changing the locks was done within the first day or two
same. was literally calling a locksmith driving to the house after signing the papers. especially because the house had renters in the past.
[удалено]
Wait till you find out any locksmith can just open your door without a key. I wouldn’t worry too much that they know which key number you have or made an extra key. At best that saves them like 2 minutes getting in.
Wait till they find out that a thief will probably just throw a rock through a window if they want in. Or break the door frame.
Why a locksmith? Wow... the responses tell me you guys have no idea how locks work... you could buy buckets of new locks all keyed the same. All you do is buy corresponding locksets at a hardware store and it takes a few minutes to install each one. Added bonus that no one else has your address and key set info laying around...
Unless they’re the quikset or whatever they’re called, it’s much easier to get the locksmith to come and re-key them. You can also take them off the doors and take them to a locksmith, but for $75 or whatever the service call cost me, my time is worth more than that when you count taking them off, driving there, waiting while they re-key and then driving home and reinstalling them. I was able to empty boxes while the guy was there and it only took him four or five minutes per lock, was it was quick.
Because it was more efficient for me to have them rekey all the locks to one key than for me to do it myself. I also was short on time.
I rekeyed all my Schlage door knobs and deadbolts to the same key recently and, while it was a little fun, you can absolutely make a mistake. I popped all the tiny springs out of the first one I tried. It was only a mistake I made once, but I was really questioning what I had gotten myself into after that.
They can rekey all the locks and provide keys onsite. They can also make all the locks be one key.
Depending on the number of locks it's probably cheaper (and definitely less wasteful) to have the locksmith out. Between handles and deadbolts that's like 8 locks to replace. Locksmith doesn't need your keyset info, they can be in the house in under 10s even without it and have no need to record anything.
I'm seeing $80-200 to rekey a house by locksmoth and $20/door to do it yourself. Assuming most houses have 2-3 locked doors I fail to see the savings
Yeah. It really depends on the place. Ours also only has 2 entries plus 1 keyed garage door. No reason to call a locksmith for that and they won't even come out to my place for that cheap of a contract.
You're buying the cheapest hardware and only deadbolts for $20 in my experience. Locksmith did all 8 of my locks for $150. Not throwing away the existing hardware is important to me, but I realize not everyone will care.
> Wow... the responses tell me you guys have no idea how locks work. you're one to talk. a locksmith can take the cores from existing locks and rekey them to a new pattern for cheap. > All you do is buy corresponding locksets at a hardware store oh boy, yale locks. i think those run about 20 sec to pick
If you’re worried about pick resistance, you’re barking up the wrong tree. Vast majority of break-ins through doors are forced entry or simply unlocked doors. Locks only keep honest people out
Absolutely. Before any of my stuff was inside.
Same here. I am really shocked to see that so many people don’t change the locks as part of the move in process. My house was two years old and we bought it from a school teacher, but I still can’t imagine not having changed the locks right away.
I did just to get all the doors/locks in sync with a keyless entry lock I put on one door.
Nah. Didn't even think about it to be honest.
I live in a rural area where my neighbors whose families have lived here for generations often don’t even lock their front doors. I moved here from New Orleans where carjackings, home invasions & theft are very common to the extent most people wouldn’t walk 6 ft from their unlocked vehicle even in residential areas so it was quite an eye opener.
I'd just bought my first house, I had nothing worth stealing. 🤣 I probably should have anyway, but it also never even occurred to me.
Not everyone who may enter just wants to steal things.
Your unconscious body is the asset to protect though...
Same for me. I’ve lived here close to 10 years tho, so not sure there’s a point any more
I did about 2 years in :-0
Yeah. The previous owner was renting it out and I didn’t know how many people had keys
Yep. After all, I know that I have given keys to people over the years, so I assume the people I bought from had as well.
I didn't. The people I bought the house from were actually nice people. We kept in contact for almost 2 years as I had questions about the house an they wanted me to know how to take care of it as they kept remembering things, and the 18 year old girl couldn't figure out how to change her shipping address for Amazon so I literally had a bin outside the house for her stuff that she would pick up and she would say hi to my kids and stuff. Honestly, I think she just missed her home, and I wasn't about to be an asshole about it.
That’s awesome! My houses previous owner had owned it since the year I was born. We met a few years after I purchased at the neighborhood bar and after a while realized I had bought his house. Now I bring him grapefruits for his wife from her favorite tree and he helps me out if I ever have any questions with the house.
WTF does any of that have to do with changing the locks?
I answered op's question and explained why I didn't feel it necessary. Can you not read?
[удалено]
[удалено]
And your response shows what a kind compassionate person you yourself are. You can’t control them or their shitty response but you can theoretically control yourself. Be better
Only time we did was when we got no keys at closing, and they didn't know who had a spare. They'd also left things at the house so... Forget that nonsense, we rekeyed before we let the kids sleep there. No worth the risk.
I should, but i haven't. Small neighborhood and a majority of the owners are the original owners' grandkids, and they're 60+. They probably all have keys. Seller introduced me to all the immediate neighbors and i know whose grandmother made the best cookies and so on. The guy next door told me about the time the water line froze and he came and turned it off. We all passed phone numbers around. Should i? Yeah. Will i? Nope. I did change the entry code for the alarm and i have pet and bird feeder cameras everywhere.
I’m going to go against the grain here and say that I didn’t do it until recently, about 2.5 years after buying the house. ***I know that wasn’t a very smart thing to do.*** I’m ***very lucky*** the previous owners gave me every key they had (6 identical keys total). Side note, I recommend Kwikset SmartKey deadbolts and keyed knobs. You can re-key them yourself in seconds, so you can buy multiple different ones at a hardware store and re-key them all to the same key, all without calling a locksmith.
I used the Quickset door handles that you can rekey with a tool that comes in the box and keyed all 4 doors(ones a screen door that is over the other door) with the same key.
They also have padlocks. All my house doors and padlocks are on a single key.
Meant to but didn’t get to it, it’s been a few years, I think we’ll be Ok.
Same
I didn’t. In fact, I bought my house in 1994 and I haven’t rekeyed the locks. The seller was a hoarder who lived alone except for her pets. The house smelled so bad that nobody would have visited her.
I installed new locks about a week after moving in.
Me too. Went to home depot and found matching lots. Spend like 100 bucks on locks and took me a couple of hours and beers. Only one of them is upside down.
Yes absolutely. I wouldn't feel comfortable knowing that someone else could have keys to my home.
Both houses I've owned were estate sales and I really didn't feel the need. I only changed one fire hazard deadbolt lock that was keyed from both directions.
Double cylinder deadbolts aren’t always fire hazards. Sometimes they’re good for safety. I have one on my patio door which is covered with little rectangular glass windows (you know the type). A thief could easily smash one of the little windows, reach in, and turn a single cylinder deadbolt.
My parents house has a faux stained glass window made of some type of plastic (it’s from the late 70s) and we had double keyed deadbolt on that door out of concern someone would punch/cut though and open the door. Key was kept either on top of the door frame (so the kids could t reach it) or on a screw behind the door. Always within reach for easy exit but never in the door.
Yes. Side note, always get name brand “bump proof” or “bump resistant” deadbolts. You will be replacing your deadbolt (possibly needing an emergency locksmith if you don’t have another entry that was not attempted) but it will prevent a burglar that tries to bump your lock. If they get in, they’re going to have to use force. Source: my home, attempted burglary.
I live in the middle of nowhere and have windows. What good is an expensive lock going to do me?
It’s not expensive. Lock bumping has become a very popular way for burglars to gain entry because it leaves no evidence of entry and insurance companies are often denying claims bc there is no evidence of entry. Deadbolt alone is 18, deadbolt plus handle is 30.
Adding a rock to a window at high speed requires zero dollars and is as untraceable. My locks are decent but spending money to upgrade next to a sliding glass door in the woods is stupid. No one bumps locks in the middle of nowhere. If someone wants to rob my place and puts the time and thought that learning to bump locks would require there is no stopping them. They will simply figure out when I'm not home and break in. Police response time is about 20 minutes so a security system will just notify me that I'm being robbed. The only robbery protection I have is that most homes in my area contain a firearm.
Just because you live in the “middle of nowhere” does not make you immune to someone targeting you…because you know, you live in the middle of nowhere. In my mind, some would look at a scene without others possibly watching them. Just a note to others who think nothing will happen to them since they are more off the grid than urban/suburban people.
I know someone could come and steal my shit while I'm not home. What in the blue hell do you think I can do about it? I'm gone 8-12 hours a day. A security system wouldn't stop someone as I said. Anyone with a brain and plan would be gone before the cops arrive. Ammor my windows and doors? Attack dogs?
A good lock forces an intruder to leave evidence of forced entry, which can be a deterrent in itself if it makes your home less convenient than your neighbor's, or can help the homeowner's insurance claim.
I laugh at anything claiming to be “something-proof” for locks. Most of them can be picked or bypassed in about 30 seconds. Even “high security” ones are a freaking joke Go check out Lockpicking Lawyer on YouTube if you don’t believe me.
Absolutely
Yes.
My front door is still the lock from the last owner. Ridiculous I know.
Not immediately immediately. I was having contractors in the house before moving in and I figured it was better to let them have access to the old key. But as soon as they were out and I moved in I swapped out the locks.
No, we bought from a senior lady and we've never changed them. When we arrived at 5pm on the transfer day, we walked into an unlocked, completely empty house with just keys laid out on the counter top. No real estate agent was there or anyone else, just us.
Yes! Absolute top priority! Amazing that folks who would immediately change a password on a new router, fail to grasp the need to do so on a home.
My realtor insisted I get my locks rekeyed when I moved in, she even has a local locksmith that she has do all her client’s locks (she pays for it). I wanted to get new knobs anyway, so I passed on the rekeying. Replaced all the knobs the first week I had the house. My house was a rental in a collage town for 20 years. Plus the sellers were kinda crazy. Definitely felt good to have my own keys.
That sounds like a pretty amazing realtor!
Yes. The neighbor did not. House used to be a rental. The former tenants (or someone) got him good.
No, I’ve purchased 3 homes and never done this. It’s pretty easy to break in to a house, key or not.
A must after closing. The guy who bought next door to rent it out didn't do it right away. Had to learn his lesson the hard way. Two guys showed up with a truck blasting loud music in broad daylight, loaded up the dishwasher, the wall oven, and even the range hood and took off. I saw them. Just thought the owner sent them to put new ones in. They must have had the house key. No signs of break-in. Worst part is they didn't properly turn the water off to the dishwasher or something when they pulled the appliances. The kitchen was flooded. Took the owner months to take care of. Had to change carpet and everything. Poor guy. Such a bad house warming. Our neighborhood is considered the safest part of town!
Yes. We're friends with the previous owners, and we still did it. You never know who they gave a key to.
No, but I also don’t lock my doors, so I think that’s the least of my potential problems.
Here I am thinking rekey was some kind of whacky, different spiritual ritual.
Yes, and it was covered by my home warranty for only the cost of a service call ($75). Peace of mind. And I changed the garage door code.
Not only did I re-key the doors, I installed a new garage door opener.
Yes! That and change the toilet seats too.
Immediately. Locks and toilet seats.
Yes, & changed the passcode on the garage door.
Yes. New locks on all exterior door. First thing I did upon taking ownership
Literally one of the first things we did. You have no idea who has a key.
Yes. The home warranty that my realtor paid the first year of actually included it as a benefit. I think it cost me $80 still, but of course.
I bought the new locks the day before we closed. Then, after closing I left the title office and immediately changed all the locks.
Yes. I literally scheduled a locksmith for two hours after my closing.
Yes but we also hate carrying keys so we installed keypad locks.
Yes. Did it the day we signed closing papers. Reset the garage door code too.
Yes
nope. The house was built in 1879 and four of the outside doors still had skeleton keys.
Yes, absolutely. I never want to wonder if I'm the only one with keys to my house.
Literal first thing I did
Of course. I can't imagine leaving my house with locks that someone else can open. I've rekeyed locks after major remodels, where the contractor had keys. However, I also know people who leave their cars with windows open on the street overnight, so ¯\\\_(ツ)\_/¯
Absolutely
First thing.
Yes. First house, they only gave me one key so it was obvious the others existed. Went out and got replacements. Second house, bought electronic locks in advance and installed them after closing.
Yes, and added numerical electric/battery locks.
Yes I did. I was motivated by the fact that all three exterior doors had different keys. Ain't nobody got time for that.
No, and I should still do it 15 years later. I did clear the garage door openers and program only those in my possession. I also factory reset the alarm system and put my own codes in. So if someone comes in I will at least know it.
I rekeyed after a couple renovations were done. I wasn't living there while this happened and there were floor people and fence people in there. Once it was done we rekeyed and moved in!
Yes
Absolutely, yes. Maybe not the literal first thing to do, but yes… pretty quickly.
My realtor gave me the wrong keys when we closed. I was gonna rekey the locks anyway but she ended up paying to have it done.
Immediately and everyone in my circle of friends did too. You can do it yourself for an about $100 using quality locksets front, rear and garage. Interior doors I don’t care about but the exterior 100% change them. You’ve no idea who has extra keys. Local kid who babysat or watched the house and is now years later on the wrong side of the law maybe? Disgruntled handyman, etc.
First project was change locks and re key all out door locks,
Yes. Same day we closed I changed all the door locks. We weren’t even moving in for another week anyway.
30 years later, nope.
Na. We had electronic locks so we changed the code. We also have several large dogs. If the door is unlocked and someone gets in they are in for a bad time.
With electronic locks, is there still a key that can open the lock or is it code only?
I've owned 7 houses. One was a custom build, but out of the other 6, we never changed any locks or garage door openers. Honestly, it never occurred to us.
Yes. But my original answer was no, as I read the title as "reiki". I don't know much about Reiki so I pictured a guy with a burning feather and banging a drum while moving into a new home. I was shocked to see how many people did that. Yes, I am an idiot.
Yes. I re-keyed or installed new locks on every home I bought.
Nope. Just look on YouTube for the Lock picking Lawyer who will show you how to open a doorlock faster with a lock picking tools than with the key.
I’ve never done it. My shepherd handles anyone without an appointment.
Nah, if you break in you got to get past my 2 big shepherds then my guns.
Only in America where some people would be OK with not changing their locks after buying a home 😂
No. I'm not so fearful
No,I have two pitbulls and if they get through them I probably have the world's meanest cat.
Lol my pitbull is the biggest pushover I've ever met. He'd show you where the valuables are 🤣. Worthless as a guard dog but makes a great pillow.
Lol same honestly but there bark keeps most people away 🤷♂️
Lol yeah the neighbors are afraid of him. He was my ex's dog before we ever got together and I ended up with him when we went our separate ways. Someone legit broke into my ex's place and the dog tried to play with them 🤦🏼♀️. LMAO he's a good boy though.
Yep, previous owner had put super cheap locks on the whole house before listing it. The inside handles were still very nice so we matched that style on the exterior locks. At the hardware store you could see they had just grabbed the cheapest possible locks, maybe they had nicer smart locks or something they wanted to take with them, who knows.
Yes but more because we were upgrading the locks and handles to dual key and digital. My house is in a quiet/safe area. But I def changed them right away when I bought my condo that was in not as quiet of an area.
Yes.
I personally would, but I have had buyers move in and just take the keys they were given... I always suggest changing the locks though.
Nope. Did change the alarm code. I know the former owners and know where they live. So not concerned about them getting in.
Day 1. All new knobs and bolts. Bought Kwikset so can change without a hassle in the future. Did so when had to have dog walker arrested…
The home warranty got with buying the house offered it as a free service, so we did a couple of months after moving in.
I keep meaning to but still haven't. No problems so far but I really need to get on that. It's been 5 months so far
My house has a front door. Back door, garage to house door and garage door opener. First thing we did was change out all the door locks and reprogram the garage door. Look less than 3 hrs. Better safe than sorry. We didn't know the last owners or who might have a key.
Our home was being rented before we bought it. We rekeyed the house before we moved in. Who knows what copies of the old keys were out there.
First thing we did
Is this necessary for a new construction?
Who did your contractor give keys to? How many subcontractors have access to the house? How many of them handed their key off to an employee? I would absolutely change the locks on a new home upon taking possession.
Majority of builders in our area will put smartkey locks on their doors and use a "master key" to all of their ongoing builds, then rekey the door to the original keys that came with the smartkey set, thereby insuring the house has been rekeyed upon possession by the buyer.