Ohio is a field services state for all BOA listings. I have had every single listing for the last 3 months have a "mystery" combo on the lockbox. Broker checklist gives the standard code which we now are to change to the last four digits of the asset number. I run through all the numeric codes I have ever used for every company and still no go. Has anyone else had this happen? Also, I have a theory. They are reporting that the lawn, initial trashout and sales clean are done. Nope! I think they are saying they have done the work, billed BOA, and put a totally different code on the lockbox so they can come back and complete the work before the agent reports it not done since agents can't get in with the code we have been given. I have several diffent keys and I have been able to get into most of the houses and report the work not done - with photos. What is the deal??

I don't have this problem myself, but have you been able to call the vendor and ask for the code and ask why it was changed, or ask the AM to call the vendor?

I suppose you could put one of those keyblock guards (I'm forgetting the correct name) over the door knob which prevents use of a key, along with a note that the vendor call you. Then when you meet the vendor at the property you could enter at the same time and see if the work was done.

Here we go again - I have been dealing with the winterization of my listings by field services and what a mess. First of all, they are winterizing props under contract that are in the process of having home inspections and or appraisals. So I am now a master of dewinterizing. Get this - they winterized one that closed the week before - buyer calls me not his agent - glorious. Next they winterized one that was winterized in 2009 ( not kidding) and re-winterized just last week. I meet the water guy and sure enough - we turn on the water and it is raining in the basement. My guys fix all the leaks, pressurize the system and whammo - the hot water tank starts gushing all over the floor. How can a property get winterized twice and still have water everywhere. But the next one is my favorite - house under contract - my guys fix the furnace and replace the hot water tank. Both now work. Ready for appraisal - it gets winterized so my pipe wrench and I go to the property - house is locked up - no sign of forced entry - but the new sump pump is out of the well with a broken pcv drainline - purple pvc goo all over the floor like someone tried to fix the pipe - wires are cut to the thermostat - right next to the furnace and the copper line from the furnace to the ac is gone - about five feet. So I get the number off the winterization sign in the window - all the main field services number - tell them the problem and they transfer me to BOA prop preservation. She has me take photos, send them to her and now they are gonna send another field services team to fix all the crap the first one screwed up. What is going on???

OMG, Edge...that is terrible. I have a Litton asset, one of three in town, that was to close yesterday and it was winterized two weeks ago. It's amazing that the vendor up there has cousins down here in the same biz for IMS! There is h2o coming out the outside hydrant, water coming out the laundry hook-ups, the hot h20 tank is full while the supply and return piping is disconnected and yet IMS was backing their vendor that the wintz was done properly using their undated photos and blaming the city for a bum h2o meter. The closing was delayed due to Litton freezing the asset to verify the FC paperwork is validated. All I can do now is verify the heat is on while we wait for the mess to be cleaned up before the closing is rescheduled and hope the buyer and their don't go over to final walk before it is dewintz. I gotta go and check the other assets...like I got extra time to police their work. Some peeps do NOT deserve to be in this biz.

Ah, now I know why I don't want to live where it gets cold. What a bummer to have to deal with this kind of stuff.