As announced back in September, GCAAR has been working with the Regional Lockbox Consortium, Inc. (RLC) in negotiations with SentriLock to establish a regional lockbox system in the GCAAR market area.
We are pleased to announce that this conversion will take place in fourth quarter 2008. What does this mean to you? It means that we will be asking you to bring your current Supra keys and lockboxes to a central location. You will be exchanging your Supra keys and lockboxes for SentriLock keys and lockboxes.
Please see the attached update that you were sent in September 2007 for more information on the RLC and the negotiating process.
We will have several conversion sites in Washington, DC, Bethesda, Maryland and Gaithersburg, Maryland. You will be asked to sign up for a time and place as we get closer to the actual conversion date.
You should plan on setting aside about 2 hours. You will go through the process of exchanging your keys and lockboxes and then attend mandatory training.
Final pricing will be announced shortly. You will be able to exchange all of your Supra GCAAR lockboxes for new SentriLock boxes on a one-for-one basis.
Are all of the area Associations converting at the same time?
No. Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Carroll, Frederick, Harford and Howard Counties have already converted.
Prince George's County will convert in November 2008.
Northern Virginia will convert in early 2009.
One of the goals of the Regional Lockbox Consortium (RLC) is to establish simultaneous expiration dates so that this situation will not occur in the future.
How can I access properties in other jurisdictions that have converted to SentriLock before us?
One of the distinguishing features of the SentriLock product is the one time showing code. If you want to show a property in an area that has already converted to SentriLock, you will be able to get a one time showing code from the listing agent. Instructions on how to use a one time showing code are available below.
Call the listing agent to obtain a 1 day code for the lockbox on the property. 1 day codes are specific to a lockbox. You will need a different code for each property you want to access.
To use the code, simply punch in the digits of the code on the keypad of the lockbox and press the ENT key. 1 day codes are good for one day and expire at midnight.
May I get a SentriLock Access Card from GCAAR before GCAAR converts?
Yes. Appointments are required.
REALTORS® who are primary members of GCAAR in good standing (i.e. have paid their 2008 dues) can get a SentriLock access card from GCAAR's Silver Spring office. GCAAR will be issuing access cards and readers only. If you need a SentriLock box for a listing in another county, you must purchase that box from the association in that county.
If you do not do business in any of the counties that have already converted to SentriLock, you do not need an access card at this time!
Steps to getting your Smartcard Access Card:
Make an appointment by calling 301.590.2000. Cards will be issued Monday – Friday, 9:30 – 11 am; and 1 – 3:30 pm. (We will not be issuing access cards between 11 am and 1 pm.)
Come to GCAAR’s Silver Spring office at your appointment time with your NRDS number (printed on your membership card) and your real estate license.
Plan on being in the office for 30 – 45 minutes. Only one card will be issued per member. You cannot pick up cards for other members. Membership staff will issue you a card and show you how to use it to access properties. Full training on the SentriLock box system will be conducted at GCAAR's conversion in late 2008.
There is no charge for the access card at this time for GCAAR primary members in good standing.
What if I want to list a property in an area that has already converted to SentriLock?
Once you have obtained your Smartcard access card from GCAAR you must go to the association in the area where the property is listed to obtain a SentriLock lockbox. Please call that association to schedule an appointment and take your GCAAR issued Smartcard with you. Once GCAAR converts later in 2008, the boxes will function in all Maryland and DC markets.
GCAAR and Prince George's County will make Supra equipment available to any agent from an association that has converted to SentriLock who wishes to purchase this equipment. However, if you choose to put a GCAAR Supra lockbox on a property in an area that has converted to SentriLock, please recognize that not all agents will be able to access that property.
How will a Sales Associate from an association that is using SentriLock access my listings in Montgomery County and DC which will have Supra lockboxes on them?
Supra keys and keyboxes are available to agents in other associations who wish to list and show properties in the GCAAR market.
