kwickset smartkeys

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Jeffrey K.
Real Estate Investor · Milwaukee, WI · Member since 2008 · 1k+ posts · 671 votes
16y

Start with a master from day one. it will save you a ton of time. Use kwiksets not defiants or the other crap brands. I learned the hard way and had to go back and master 50 units after a few years of hauling a safe with all my keys around.

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  • Greg C
    Investor · the desert !, CA · Member since 2008 · 78 posts · 9 votes
    16y

    i think they are great i have them on 4 sfr we have and it is seconds to change the key
    you can usually buy them for 1/2 of what you pay in the store on ebay

    others will tell you here to put the cheapest crap lock on you can buy
    i have gone down that route and my opinion is quality will last longer and save you money in the long run

    0Reply
  • Marc Freislinger
    Flipper · Phoenix, AZ · Member since 2009 · 973 posts · 679 votes
    16y

    We use regular Kwikset locks. They are easy to rekey, and can be mastered. I saw the smartkeys at a tradeshow last year, and asked the guy how the lock is opened if the tenant loses the key or skips (since they can't be mastered.) He showed me a tool that would unlock any smartkey from the outside without a key. Not for me.

    2Reply
  • Edwin Brown
    Real Estate Investor · Chattanooga, TN · Member since 2010 · 151 posts · 59 votes
    16y

    http://landlordlocks.com/
    Work great. Never had any problems. Much easier than crazy key chains

    1Reply
  • Marc Freislinger
    Flipper · Phoenix, AZ · Member since 2009 · 973 posts · 679 votes
    16y

    That site simply sells masterkeyed Kwikset locks. You'll save money learning to do it yourself.

    It takes about 5 minutes per lock.

    0Reply
  • Account Closed
    Full-Time Investor · Charlotte, NC · Member since 2009 · 2k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    16y

    i'm with you marc..dont' trust the smartkeys...the guy at lowe's saw my ring of keys and tried to sell me on them...until he broke the tool or the lock..cant' remember which....i feel if i can easily rekey it, so could anyone else...not good..i'll stick with my keychains and eventually get motivated and organized enough to master!

    0Reply
  • Jeffrey K.
    Real Estate Investor · Milwaukee, WI · Member since 2008 · 1k+ posts · 671 votes
    16y

    Start with a master from day one. it will save you a ton of time. Use kwiksets not defiants or the other crap brands. I learned the hard way and had to go back and master 50 units after a few years of hauling a safe with all my keys around.

    3Reply
  • Michael S.
    OP
    Residential Real Estate Agent · Camden, NJ · Member since 2010 · 126 posts · 55 votes
    16y

    i only have 4 single family homes and i really like schlage locks, they line up easily and seem to be built a little stronger

    0Reply
  • Mark UpdegraffBusiness Member
    Real Estate Broker · Rochester, NY · Member since 2010 · 1k+ posts · 704 votes
    16y

    Can anyone give more information or related links on the specifics of master keying using kwikset? I'm checking out Ebay, but am wondering if there is any good info on what exactly is needed / how to do it etc.

    Thanks!

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  • Marc Freislinger
    Flipper · Phoenix, AZ · Member since 2009 · 973 posts · 679 votes
    16y

    You need:
    Regular pins
    Master pins
    Key gauge
    Cylinder Removal Tool (for Kwikset)

    Ebuilderdirect on Ebay sells regular pin kits that include the removal tool and 50 pins of each size, and I believe they also sell master pins in a kit that has 50 of each.

    Kwikset has a pdf out there somewhere that walks you through how to take the handles apart. Once you get the cylinder out, it looks pretty much like a deadbolt.

    To rekey them, take the metal plate off the top of the lock cylinder and dump out the springs and pins. Save the springs and top pins. The top pins are all the same size, and are flat on the top and bottom.

    Use your gauge to measure both your master key and the key you want to give the resident, and write the numbers down on top each other, as shown:

    Master: 43633
    Key: 34252

    Then circle the lowest number for each position, and find the difference between the numbers for each position:

    Master: 43633
    Key: 34252
    M Pins: 11421

    For each position, the lower number is the regular pin you'll put in FIRST. On top of the regular pin, you'll put the master pin, which is the difference between the two. On top of that, you'll place the top pin that you saved from before. The springs go on top of all that, and then the metal plate is snapped back into place.

    To make sure I don't make mistakes, I make sure both keys will turn the lock at several stages in the process. When I have just the bottom pins in, when I have the bottom pins and the master pins in, and when I have the bottom pins, master pins, and top pins in. This saves you from having to start all over if you make a mistake somewhere.

    Let me know if I can explain any of that better.

    2Reply
  • Mark UpdegraffBusiness Member
    Real Estate Broker · Rochester, NY · Member since 2010 · 1k+ posts · 704 votes
    16y

    Thanks Marc!
    Good job with the explanation. If I find the Kwikset PDF I'll post a link. I'm browsing the Ebuilderdirect ebay store now ;-)

    ~m

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  • Mark UpdegraffBusiness Member
    Real Estate Broker · Rochester, NY · Member since 2010 · 1k+ posts · 704 votes
    16y

    Wow, easier than I thought!

    Here it is boys & girls:
    http://www.kwikset.com/Files/PDF/TradeResources/Rekeying%20Manual.pdf

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  • Marc Freislinger
    Flipper · Phoenix, AZ · Member since 2009 · 973 posts · 679 votes
    16y

    Ha, I just found it too, you beat me to it.

    Page 8 is the master keying information.

    I've found Kwikset to be the easiest to re-key, but the principles are the same for all of them. To re-key Schlage locks, you have to do all the same work from inside the cylinder with a pair of tweezers.

    I will say that contrary to the brochure, I always dump all the pins. If you use the push plug on a lock that has already been mastered, you risk leaving pins above the sheer line. You'll have more keys that will open the lock, and much higher likely hood of the lock jamming.

    0Reply
  • Account Closed
    Full-Time Investor · Charlotte, NC · Member since 2009 · 2k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    16y

    i have the kwikset rekeying kit (case with all the pins, tools, etc). it is fairly easy and quick to rekey these locks. however, i haven't mastered yet, as i mentioned above.

    0Reply
  • Bienes Raices
    Orlando, FL · Member since 2009 · 2k+ posts · 282 votes
    14y

    Are there any downsides to the LandlordLocks?

    0Reply
  • Jeffrey K.
    Real Estate Investor · Milwaukee, WI · Member since 2008 · 1k+ posts · 671 votes
    14y

    Just go to your local locksmith and they will have a price for one mastered. I think I pay $18 for a deadbolt. It is not worth it to do it yourself unless you have a huge company or too much time on your hands.

    0Reply
  • Joel OwensBusiness Member
    Moderator
    Real Estate Broker · Canton, GA · Member since 2010 · 15k+ posts · 11k+ votes
    14y

    Interesting read here.

    We just usually rotate the locks.

    We buy the cheap stuff.

    A cop told me with the deadbolts if a perp wants to get in they are getting in.The best thing is to call right away so they can catch them or work the case.

    Often people call a day or a few hours later and at that point the cop can't do as much.

    We don't have ultra expensive doors so the tenants add extra lighting and some put in house alarms etc.

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  • Jeffrey K.
    Real Estate Investor · Milwaukee, WI · Member since 2008 · 1k+ posts · 671 votes
    14y

    Joel,
    You let the tenants do electrical work?

    You should never buy a cheap lock. You will have a call to fix it. When that call comes it would have been less expensive to do it right the first time with an inexpensive Quickset. They are $5 more and will save you a ton of trouble in the long run. You should also talk to your local locksmith and get a master system started right away. Stay away from #1 pins!

    0Reply
  • Kevin Priester
    Investor · Lake Mary, FL · Member since 2009 · 63 posts · 20 votes
    14y

    Joel,

    What problems have you had with #1 pins?

    0Reply
  • Joel OwensBusiness Member
    Moderator
    Real Estate Broker · Canton, GA · Member since 2010 · 15k+ posts · 11k+ votes
    14y

    We have an electrical outlet outside of each unit that is made for the outside.They usually buy an outside light and plug it in to the plug.No I do not let tenants hard wire anything.

    We already have an outside door light for them.

    On the locks I would have to look at the cost involved. I have 20 units and all have 2 part deadbolt at front door.

    On the backs some have french doors and others are sliders with no key locks.I am not looking at holding long term so will put limited money in just to make livable and cash flow.

    From what Marc describes it is an involved process and my time is limited as it is and I can see it now my PM calling me and tenants having issues with the pins not working etc.

    If the cost wasn't real bad I might look at it.

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  • Mike Chouinard
    Real Estate Investor · Moreno Valley, CA · Member since 2009 · 1 post · 0 votes
    14y

    I use them regularly on flip and rentals. All flips are keyed alike until listed and I keep a key for each rental in case the tenant skips or I need access for some reason. This works well for me now because I only have 5 renals. If my rental inventory got large it would probably be more beneficial to have a master key system.

    0Reply
  • Jeffrey K.
    Real Estate Investor · Milwaukee, WI · Member since 2008 · 1k+ posts · 671 votes
    14y

    I dont know why you guys resist spending $5 more per lock. The locksmith will keep your master on file and you can just run in and pick them up. No more box of keys! That is worth a few bucks a unit.

    0Reply
  • Bienes Raices
    Orlando, FL · Member since 2009 · 2k+ posts · 282 votes
    14y

    Does mastering still make sense for people with small number of properties (10 or less)?

    0Reply
  • Joel OwensBusiness Member
    Moderator
    Real Estate Broker · Canton, GA · Member since 2010 · 15k+ posts · 11k+ votes
    14y

    Jeff I am not a lock expert.

    So your saying if I have 20 doors each with a deadbolt that would be 40 locks.Then half of mine at back door have french doors so that would be another 20 locks.

    So I would have 60 locks to master at 5 bucks apiece??

    My locks are a combo of Defiant and Kwikset (yes the cheap stuff).

    Doesn't look like they have interchangeable sections like your master sets.

    So that means I would have to buy all new locks to master key them.

    It sounds like to me I would spend a substantial amount of money to do that.The only way I would do that is if the locksmith would give me money on the locks I am trading in as a credit so I don't spend much.Then it might be worth it to me.

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  • Bienes Raices
    Orlando, FL · Member since 2009 · 2k+ posts · 282 votes
    14y

    Isn't there some kit that you can buy from Home Depot to rekey the Kwikset locks (I'm not talking about Smartkey--as I remember this is something different). I have seen that mentioned here before. Can anyone explains how the kit works and what the advantages/disadvantages are? Thanks.

    0Reply
  • Dick M.
    Electrical Contractor · both, Maine & Florida · Member since 2011 · 129 posts · 53 votes
    14y

    Here it is boys & girls:
    http://www.kwikset.com/Files/PDF/TradeResources/Rekeying%20Manual.pdf

    Is it just me? I get a 404 message when In click on this link...

    0Reply
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