Seller Beware!
Unfortunately the real estate industry has a real problem. Real Estate agents are giving lock box codes out to people without licenses to view vacant homes.
This is not the way a real estate agent is suppose to practice.
1. Make sure your agent will attend all showings with purchasers not represented by another agent.
2. Ask your agent their office real estate agent showing verification process.
A. Does the office require all real estate agents showing property to give a license ID number?
B. Does the office require the office to verify the license number with the state for accuracy?
C. Does the office require the showing agent to leave 2 telephone numbers?
D. How does the office verify these numbers are correct?
3. At what point is the lock box code to your vacant home released?
Why? The real estate agents that are giving the lock box codes out with out proper verification procedures are at risk of causing theft, physical harm and more.
Our offices uses a system called "BookAShowing". Only State of Michigan licensed real estate agents with a membership to the Flint Area Association of Realtors can use the system. Our office knows the person setting the appointment is licensed and accountable. Please see www.bookashowing.com for more information.
Out of area agents must give license number, office telephone number, office address and the agents direct number. We then verify the license on-line, match all numbers with names, call the office if open, then the agent. We are always looking for ways to improve the system, any ideas, please let me know.
I would like to do away with push button and dial boxes. They are not the safest tool available. Companies now make lock boxes that must be opened electronically. When the lock-box is utilized an email and/or text message is sent to the listing agent. This alerts the listing agents that someone is viewing the home. The seller can get a full report as well. The Flint Area Association of Realtors did have this type of service at one time, agents complained because there was an extra item that had to be carried. It wasn't the best system, now the systems are much improved.
Any ideas to help secure homes and make showing safer is more than welcomed.
Angie Ridley, Broker, Notary, Genesee & Lapeer Co Michigan 
Angie,
We have Supra lockboxes here in NE FL, and they can only be used by licensed professionals (Realtors, Appraisers) who are members of our MLS. These lockboxes require either a special key (looks like a pager), and each agent has a unique code to authorize access. Plus, I can then view all showings a particular property has had, and email that to my seller. This helps with vacant listings, as all agents do not schedule showings through the showing desk on vacant listings.
Some agents do use contractor's lockboxes, which can be used by anyone who has the code. On most of those listings, though, they are being sold as is, where is, and are not to be shown to unaccompanied buyers due to the liability issues.