With an eye on the future, Settlement Agents in Western Australia’s Bunbury have come together to embrace e-Conveyancing, bringing fast digital settlements to their local community.
MG Settlements and Norm Hart Settlements are two local agents who transact online whenever possible, provide help to their colleagues and see a bright future for e-Conveyancing in Western Australia.
Kate Neaves, Licensed Manager at MG Settlements and Leisa Norrish, Director of Norm Hart Settlements tell us how their “all in” approach prepared them for Western Australia’s digital property transformation:
Why has Bunbury seamlessly picked up e-Conveyancing?
KN: We simply work together. Although we’re competitors, having everyone using PEXA is mutually beneficial. So, we help each other out, especially in the early stages of using the platform we’d walk through scenarios with each other. It has made using PEXA a lot easier!
LN: We all just want to get settlements done so we work as a community. Norm Hart has done almost 50 online transactions at this stage and I have no issue sharing my experience with my colleagues in the area. Of course, we also have the support of Ryan, our PEXA Direct Specialist and the wonderful PEXA support centre. They have always been there to guide us through our settlements if we have any concerns – I never have to worry.
Have you had any difficulties using the platform?
KN: The platform is easy to use. I recommend giving it a try and you’ll see it’s just like any other program out there. If you do have any questions, the PEXA team are always there to answer your questions.
LN: Angella Chick from PEXA came out to our office and guided us through the platform when we first started using it. Since then we haven’t needed any more training. We kept using it and it became second nature – it’s like anything, practice makes perfect.
Landgate announced last year that by 1 December 2017 any lodgement case containing eligible* discharges, transfers, mortgages, caveats and withdrawals of caveat will need to be lodged electronically in WA, regardless of whether the mortgage is consumer or commercial. How do you feel about this pending transformation?
KN: The sooner e-Conveyancing is mandated the sooner we can start providing our clients with an alternative service and potentially remove the need for dual-processes.
LN: Mandating is positive for the industry. I want to keep transacting online and for others to join. It has multiple benefits for my business and it’s the way I do business now. Since deregulation, I’ve made an allowance for the PEXA fee in my quoted service amount, just like my Perth agent fee, and I’ve had no complaints.
Finally, how do you see the future of online property exchange?
KN: PEXA is no doubt a risk management tool that benefits both settlement agents and our clients. Once e-Conveyancing is fully embraced by the industry, online transactions will become the norm for everyone.
LN: I just completed my best PEXA deal yet. A few days before settlement, all funds were added to the Workspace and all discharging and mortgaging banks were onboard. They followed my instructions to a tee, this meant I didn’t have to do anything on the day of settlement only sign – what a dream!
This is how easy it’ll always be. I even got to go for a quick 30-minute walk to the beach on the day of settlement – can you believe it?
If you are yet to register for PEXA, contact registrations@pexa.com.au to start the process today or contact Angella.Chick@pexa.com.au to enquire about a PEXA Direct Specialist.
