Wow, today was awesome! I got to get out with some really great buyers that are full of vision and passion for historic homes! We visited historic homes in Louisburg NC and then a few historic homes in Franklinton NC - they were all beautiful in their own way.
Some were renovated with very little work being done and others were mere shells that would take the new owners patience and perserverance to complete.
The last house on the tour today was in Franklinton NC and this is what we found in the lockbox.
It's been a VERY long time since I have used one of these keys so, trust me, it did take a little time to get in the house and then to lock it back up. But, wow, what a beauty it was!
If you are looking for a historic home in Wake Forest NC or the surrounding areas be sure to check out my blog Whats YOUR Circa - you can find so much information regarding historic homes there as well as my website Wake Forest NC House Chick!
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Welcome to Wake Forest NC!
Live, Love, Work and Play...
And the Surrounding Towns and Cities of Youngsville, Franklinton, Creedmoor, Raleigh, Oxford, Louisburg, Knightdale, Wendell, Garner, Cary, Apex & Holly Springs
Leesa Finley the "Wake Forest NC House Chick"
Circa Properties
919-649-6128
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www.LeesaFinley.com
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Hilarious! What script/program do you use for your social media links? I love them!
Wow - have not seen one of those in a very long time.
It was a bit odd to see that key in the lockbox, Robin! The buttons I use are jpegs that I inserted into my signature. Ya need help? Let me know and I'll be happy to send them to you and talk you through it over the phone.
Leesa, They add so much CHARM! While my exterior doors have been long changed, these are the keys I have in my house....with the 100 years old glass doorknobs. I absolutely love them :)
You just have to love what we do for a living.
Every day brings a unique experience.
Thanks for sharing today's experience with us.
Years ago I worked in an area where older homes were the norm but I don't ever recall having to use a key like that. Glad you got in and I hope they will settle on a house soon.
Leesa,
Like you it has been a very long time since I have seen/used one of those. I would have loved to seen the home.
Leesa,
Keys are the least favorite part of my job. However, that would an interesting one, so as long as it worked, I'd be good.
Too many keys don't work well, or the doors they open are rarely used, so you can feel like it's a battle to get the door unlocked.
All the best, Michelle
Hello Leesa and if I am not mistaken I think that is called a "skeleton Key" and it is very old!
VB ;o)
I wonder how secure that house is with a lock like that. I bet it was amazing. Would love to see pictures.
Leesa - Wow, I find it amazing that people still use those keys.
Leesa - That is so cool. Old and historic homes are amazing and there's no comparison versus a newly built home. I have never owned an old home but once my kids are grown and it's time to scale back we would love to look at older homes.
That is fantastic! How long has it been on the market? Is that the real key that keeps the world out and let's friends in? Seems pretty inadequate today, doesn't it? But what a nostalgic historic thing for a home!
I would bet a lot of the agents in your area have never seen one of these keys.
I was VERY surprised, Bob & Carolin, when that little key came tumbling out of the lockbox!
I was VERY surprised, Bob & Carolin, when that little key came tumbling out of the lockbox!
I bet your house is GORGEOUS, Carole! I gre up with these keys but certainly haven't used one in YEARS!
That it does, Craig - some good surprised and some not so good! ;)
That is too cool! I'm glad you took a picture and I do have to know, did you clients buy the house? Also, would love to see the house that the key went to in a future post.
They will, Barb - just looking for the house that "fits the key" to their heart!
Actually, Don, the home that fit this key wasn't the creme de la creme - sad! Now some of the other historics that day? WOW!
The newly cut keys, Michelle??? They are my worst enemy!
That is the name for it, Robert! I grew up with them - it's been a LONG time since I've seen one!
That is the coolest thing ever!
You'll want to change the locks I think, but hang onto those oldies but goodies.
Leesa,
Amazing the locks haven't been changed in all of those years.....I love skeleton keys. Sounds like you had an amazing day..
Jo
It was extremely secure Jane! I could hardly get it!!!!! HAHAHAHA
I was very surprised, Michelle - you would have thought that someone during the last 100 years would have changed the locks!
Oh, Nevin - they are so rich and full of history! i love historic homes!
I frequently have listings with the old keys, but they are usually very large and made of brass, and don't fit in the lockbox. This must have been one of the late 19th C. to early 20th C. type, not one of the 18th C. ones I usually deal with which fit "box locks". These are metal boxes mounted on the inside of the door (not between layers of the door) that contain the tumblers. The smaller ones are actually inside the door, as is a modern key mechanism. These are the ones we call skeleton keys.
Well, as old as the key was, Judi, it sure did make it a puzzle to get in!
HA - i would have to agree with that, Terry! It has been YEARS since I have seen on myself! Does that date me by saying I have seen one at all?