5 Mistakes Phoenix Homeowners Make After Moving (And How Rekeying Solves Them)
You just closed on your new home in Phoenix—congratulations! Whether you moved into a cozy bungalow in Willo, a new build in Desert Ridge, or a fixer-upper in Garfield, you’re ready to start fresh.
But with all the excitement of unpacking and decorating, many new homeowners overlook simple safety steps that protect their home from day one.
At the top of that list?
Rekeying the locks.
In this guide, we’ll break down the 5 most common mistakes Phoenix homeowners make after moving in—and how professional rekeying helps prevent problems before they happen.
Mistake #1: Trusting That You Have the Only Keys
The seller gave you keys at closing, maybe a garage remote and a mailbox key. Feels like a clean slate, right?
Here’s the reality:
You have no idea how many copies were made or who still has one.
Previous owners might’ve given keys to:
- Family and friends
- Babysitters, contractors, or dog walkers
- Neighbors
- Airbnb guests (if it was ever rented)
- Realtors, cleaners, or landscapers
We’ve helped homeowners in South Phoenix and Paradise Valley Village who were shocked to find their old key still worked—and worse, so did someone else’s.
✅ The Fix: Rekey Your Locks Immediately
Rekeying ensures any old key is instantly deactivated. It’s fast, affordable, and the easiest way to take full control of your home’s access from the start.
Mistake #2: Delaying Security Changes Until Later
It’s easy to get distracted with:
- Moving trucks
- Furniture delivery
- Painting and repairs
- Setting up utilities
But while your home is in transition, it’s also most vulnerable.
Doors might be left unlocked. Strangers like movers or contractors might have temporary access. And your focus is on everything except security.
✅ The Fix: Schedule Rekeying During Move-In Week
At Affordable Security Locksmith And Alarm, we help Phoenix homeowners in Encanto, Arcadia Lite, and Midtown rekey as soon as they get the keys—often same-day or next-day.
It’s one less thing to worry about during a hectic week.
Mistake #3: Only Rekeying the Front Door
Many homes in neighborhoods like Central City, Biltmore, or Laveen have multiple entry points beyond the front door, including:
- Back doors
- Garage side doors
- Casitas or guest entries
- Side gates
- Sliding patio doors with keyed locks
- Storage sheds
If you only rekey the front door, you leave all other entry points wide open to anyone with an old key.
✅ The Fix: Rekey Every Entry Point
During your appointment, we’ll walk the property with you to identify all keyed doors. We can often rekey every door to match one key for convenience and safety.
Mistake #4: Forgetting About Smart Locks’ Backup Keys
Many Phoenix homes now use smart locks—but what most people don’t realize is that nearly all of them have physical key backups.
That means:
- If you don’t rekey the cylinder, the old key may still work
- If digital users aren’t removed, someone could access via app
- If you forget to change access codes, old ones may remain active
✅ The Fix: Rekey + Reset Smart Lock Access
We handle both traditional and smart locks. We’ll:
- Rekey the cylinder
- Remove old digital users
- Reset codes and app access
- Ensure you’re 100% secure, online and off
Smart homeowners in Midtown and Roosevelt Row often book rekeying as part of a full digital-security reset when moving in.
Mistake #5: Not Planning for Extra Keys
You might only need one or two keys right now—but what about:
- Family members?
- Roommates or tenants?
- Trusted neighbors or emergency contacts?
If you don’t plan for extras, you might resort to making duplicates at big-box stores, which are often inaccurate and not secure.
✅ The Fix: Ask for Extra Keys During Your Appointment
We cut high-quality keys on-site with every rekey. Whether you need 2 or 10, we’ve got you covered. And we can even label and organize them for easy tracking.
Bonus Tip: Use Rekeying to Simplify Access
Tired of juggling a giant keyring?
We can often rekey all compatible locks to work with a single key—front door, back door, side gate, even garage entry (if compatible). This makes life easier and safer.
It’s one of the most-requested features from homeowners in North Mountain Village, Sunnyslope, and Estrella Village.
What to Expect During a Rekeying Appointment
We make it simple:
- Schedule a time that works for you (often same-day)
- Our mobile locksmith arrives on-site
- Walkthrough of all locks to be rekeyed
- Pins are changed inside the locks
- New keys are provided and tested
- Optional extras (key matching, smart lock reset, extra copies)
The entire process usually takes under an hour, and you’re left with total peace of mind.
👉 Click here to schedule your rekeying now or call us at (602) 854-2766.
Final Word: Rekeying = Peace of Mind
Moving into a new home is exciting—but don’t let overlooked security put your investment at risk. Rekeying:
- Blocks unauthorized access
- Gives you full key control
- Shows you’re proactive about home safety
- Sets you up with smarter, simplified access
Don’t wait until something goes wrong. Rekey right after moving in—and move forward with confidence.
Just Moved In? Make Sure Only You Have the Keys.
Your home should feel safe from the first night. Our Phoenix rekeying service protects what matters most—your family, your investment, and your peace of mind.
Affordable Security Locksmith And Alarm – Phoenix
📞 (602) 854-2766
🌐 affordablesecurityphoenix.com