Paper transactions will be as common as lining up at the stamp duties counter for a simple transfer document
Goolwa Conveyancing is leading the charge for change in 2017 as South Australia’s number one online transfer transactor. Their theory, “embrace the change and grow”, has Goolwa powering ahead with e-Conveyancing, saving an abundance of time on the way.
Michelle Lihou, Registered Conveyancer at Goolwa Conveyancing, tells us all about Goolwa Conveyancing’s digital transformation.
Congratulations, Goolwa Conveyancing has completed the most online transfers in South Australia so far this year. After 34 years in conveyancing, what prompted you to move your business so successfully to digital property settlements?
“Once completing initial PEXA training in Adelaide last year, the bigger picture became enormously clear – embrace change or retire. With this realisation intact, after completing our first online settlement we were sold! Since then, I’ve been committed and excited to be part of our industry’s digital change. Goolwa Conveyancing is now a PEXA Certified firm and we’re ready for all “PEXAble” transactions.”
You’re clearly a keen PEXA-user. How do you find the rest of the industry’s take on e-Conveyancing?
“We simply love PEXA. After our first online transaction and business decision to utilise PEXA in every possible matter – we changed our templates and systems quite quickly.
To be honest, I’m disappointed at the reasons given by practitioners for their slow uptake and their reasons to avoid giving it a go, especially as it affects their business’ success and progress.”
Other Conveyancers transacting online are gaining from its efficiencies and cost benefits. What has been your experience?
“Time is a precious commodity. After we made changes to our internal processes, we found PEXA to be much easier than paper.
The lines of communication are finally open and transparent with the banks and PEXA’s conversation tool has given us back so much time. We no longer have to stay on hold to the banks for extended periods of time – priceless!”
Have you had any feedback from clients after transacting online?
“For years, my clients have been surprised that settlement still occurred manually. Vendors have been frustrated and annoyed about waiting three days for their money to clear and purchasers have been annoyed when their transfer documents weren’t lodged immediately.
Now we can assure our clients that it is “ready ready” and nothing should stop it – paper transactions have so much more risk attached to them. Also, my clients feel at ease with SettleMe – a free app that keeps them informed throughout their settlement process.”
Finally, what advice would you offer to firms who are slow to move online?
“PEXA it now – while we are all still learning to walk through this, the marathon will be much harder when the range of online transactions grows. Do it now while we have the assistance of wonderful PEXA Specialists who are just an email or call away.
Finally, do it now as paper transactions will become as common as lining up at the stamp duties counter for a simple transfer document.”
If you would like to become PEXA Certified please visit the e-Conveyancing Community to request a Specialist and access the programs how-to articles and videos.
