PEXA Community Blog

Many of us are adjusting to remote working at present, with the PEXA team no different. Our Head of Information Security @DavidWillett shares his best-practice tips for working from home, including routine patching and updating of your software, as well as utilising supported operating systems where possible.

The 5in5 series is hosted by leading members of the conveyancing and property industry, as they discuss topical matters and share their expertise with viewers.

QLS Ethics lawyer, David Bowles sat down with security expert Ryan Janosevic, COO and Co-founder of Retrospect Labs, in this month’s 5in5.

The pair discuss current and most prominent cybercrime threats to businesses of all sizes and what we can do to protect against fraud.

To learn more about how you can protect yourself while working remotely during COVID-19, PEXA head of IT Security, @DavidWillett has also provided this advice.

For more information on how to mitigate you and your clients’ risk of fraud using PEXA Key, visit the PEXA Key website or post your questions below.

Please note, this recording was filmed prior to COVID-19 physical distancing and social restrictions.

5 in 5 2020:

• Episode Three: 5 in 5, an International Women's Day special with McCullough Robertson Lawyers and FM...
  
• Episode Two: 5in5 with Bettina Sheeran, Partner at Maddocks and Glenn King, PEXA CEO
  
• Episode One: 5in5 with HWL Ebsworth - The Utopia of Conveyancing
  

5 in 5 2019:

• Episode One: Nick Karolidis and Marcus discuss common themes raised through PEXA’s in-platform feedb....
• Episode Two: Sarah Rizk, Partner at Thomson Geer speaks with Marcus and PEXA Project’s expert, @Josh....
• Episode Three: 5 in 5 with Jyh Gusew, Community Superuser and Marcus Price, PEXA CEO
• Episode Four: 5 in 5 with Hunt & Hunt Lawyers featuring NAB and Gadens
• Episode Five: 5 in 5 with Shane Jacob, AIC National President and Marcus Price, PEXA CEO
• Episode Six: 5 in 5 with B.O.S.S Conveyancing and Sally's experience with PEXA Key
• Episode Seven: 5 in 5 with HWL Ebsworth and developer client, Goldfields Group
• Episode Eight: 5 in 5 2019 Highlights

Two of our industry’s inspirational female leaders, Kristan Conlon, Partner at McCullough Robertson Lawyers and Patti Eyers, CEO at FMS & First Title, join PEXA’s Jess Caire to discuss challenges they’ve faced and their thoughts on what we can do to achieve equality.

Bettina dropped into the PEXA office to chat with Glenn about the environmental benefits of electronic settlements, Maddocks' plans for an end-to-end conveyancing process and Glenn's focus for the next 12 to 18 months.

Find out what they had to say...

5 in 5 2020:

• Episode One: 5in5 with HWL Ebsworth - The Utopia of Conveyancing
  

5 in 5 2019:

• Episode One: Nick Karolidis and Marcus discuss common themes raised through PEXA’s in-platform feedb....
• Episode Two: Sarah Rizk, Partner at Thomson Geer speaks with Marcus and PEXA Project’s expert, @Josh....
• Episode Three: 5 in 5 with Jyh Gusew, Community Superuser and Marcus Price, PEXA CEO
• Episode Four: 5 in 5 with Hunt & Hunt Lawyers featuring NAB and Gadens
• Episode Five: 5 in 5 with Shane Jacob, AIC National President and Marcus Price, PEXA CEO
• Episode Six: 5 in 5 with B.O.S.S Conveyancing and Sally's experience with PEXA Key
• Episode Seven: 5 in 5 with HWL Ebsworth and developer client, Goldfields Group
• Episode Eight: 5 in 5 2019 Highlights

What better way to kick off 2020 than with a look at the future!

Partner at HWL Ebsworth, Michael Mammen and PEXA Group Executive, James Ruddock discuss what 'the utopia of conveyancing' looks like, what developers expect from the online settlement process and how national consistency could benefit the market from a large law firm perspective.

5 in 5 2019:

• Episode One: Nick Karolidis and Marcus discuss common themes raised through PEXA’s in-platform feedb....
• Episode Two: Sarah Rizk, Partner at Thomson Geer speaks with Marcus and PEXA Project’s expert, @Josh....
• Episode Three: 5 in 5 with Jyh Gusew, Community Superuser and Marcus Price, PEXA CEO
• Episode Four: 5 in 5 with Hunt & Hunt Lawyers featuring NAB and Gadens
• Episode Five: 5 in 5 with Shane Jacob, AIC National President and Marcus Price, PEXA CEO
• Episode Six: 5 in 5 with B.O.S.S Conveyancing and Sally's experience with PEXA Key
• Episode seven: 5 in 5 with HWL Ebsworth and developer client, Goldfields Group
• Episode eight: 5 in 5 2019 Highlights

Hi Community,

A big thank you to all of our members and extended network who shared their industry wisdom, opinions and experiences with us on 5 in 5 this year - Thomson Geer, HWL Ebsworth, Goldfields Group, AIC National, Cornwalls, NAB, Hunt & Hunt lawyers, Gadens, BOSS Conveyancing and CXINLAW.

Here are some of the many highlights from 5 in 5 in 2019.

@shanejacob @Karolidis_and_Co @sarahrk @Nick_S_HWLE @Neil_Gadens 

Join REIQ CEO, Antonia Mercorella and PEXA's Chief Customer Officer, Lisa Dowie in the Sunshine State as they discuss the REIQ's take on digital progression in Queensland and nationally.

Join Lisa Dowie, PEXA Chief Customer Officer and Carl White, Director and CEO of CXINLAW as they discuss customer experience (CX) in the legal industry.

CXINLAW works with law firms and other legal providers to deliver the perfect client experience. In this month's 5in5, Carl shares his view of the role technology plays in CX, the importance of your staff's experience and to top it off, Carl gives some easy tips for viewers to kick start their CX journey.

If you have any CX questions for Carl, please post them below - he's ready and waiting to answer your questions.

VIEW: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lxsIZvxc6vk&feature=youtu.be 

Previous episodes 2019

• Episode One: Nick Karolidis and Marcus discuss common themes raised through PEXA’s in-platform feedb....
• Episode Two: Sarah Rizk, Partner at Thomson Geer speaks with Marcus and PEXA Project’s expert, @Josh....
• Episode Three: 5 in 5 with Jyh Gusew, Community Superuser and Marcus Price, PEXA CEO
• Episode Four: 5 in 5 with Hunt & Hunt Lawyers featuring NAB and Gadens
• Episode Five: 5 in 5 with Shane Jacob, AIC National President and Marcus Price, PEXA CEO
• Episode Six: 5 in 5 with B.O.S.S Conveyancing and Sally's experience with PEXA Key
• Episode seven: 5 in 5 with HWL Ebsworth and developer client, Goldfields Group

Seamless sync of technology for Loop Law and PEXA as a new integration is launched!

Michael Mammen, Partner at HWL Ebsworth takes Marcus' place in this month's 5 in 5, speaking with one of his most valued developer clients, Marco Gattino, Managing Director at Goldfields Group.

Marco shares the developer’s view on PEXA, national consistency and the benefits both developers and their clients experience from digital settlements.

Previous episodes 2019

• Episode One: Nick Karolidis and Marcus discuss common themes raised through PEXA’s in-platform feedb....
• Episode Two: Sarah Rizk, Partner at Thomson Geer speaks with Marcus and PEXA Project’s expert, @Josh....
• Episode Three: 5 in 5 with Jyh Gusew, Community Superuser and Marcus Price, PEXA CEO
• Episode Four: 5 in 5 with Hunt & Hunt Lawyers featuring NAB and Gadens
• Episode Five: 5 in 5 with Shane Jacob, AIC National President and Marcus Price, PEXA CEO
• Episode Six: 5 in 5 with B.O.S.S Conveyancing and Sally's experience with PEXA Key
  

Coming soon, the next episode of 5 in 5. Hosted by Michael Mammen, Partner at HWL Ebsworth who discusses digital conveyancing on a local and national scale from a developer's perspective with one of his most valued clients, Marco Gattino, Director at Goldfields Group.

Can you guess what they're talking about?

Post your guesses below...

Michael Mammen, HWL Ebsworth and Marco Gattino, Goldfields Group

@DMc @Josh @Karen @katewilliamson 

We know that change can sometimes be a difficult thing to embrace, and the more prepared you are, the higher the likelihood of you feeling comfortable with a new process. Therefore, when your firm decides to embark on the digital settlement journey with PEXA, it’s important that it is set up for success. Done correctly, your firm will be more able to smoothly adapt to changes that come with adopting a new process. Below, you’ll find a handy guide to help those new to PEXA that experts may also refer to as a checkpoint.

1. Setting up user profiles

• The first and only user PEXA will set up for your organisation’s profile is a Subscriber Manager. Subscriber Managers have the highest level of access in PEXA, and the Participation Agreement provides that every Subscriber must have at least one.
• There are two other user types in PEXA – 1) Subscriber Administrators, who have certain administrative rights below the Subscriber Manager, e.g. can add or remove Users; and 2) Users/Signers – the latter having signing rights. Access more information here about these user types. These will be set up by the Subscriber Manager.
• When a User first accesses PEXA, they will be required to set up both their password (we recommend a minimum of ten characters, and a mix of upper and lower case letters, numbers, and special characters) and two security questions. These security questions will be used by our Member Support Team to authenticate users when they call requesting assistance. It is important that neither one’s password nor the answers to their security questions are shared.
• Every person in an organisation who is required to access PEXA must do so via their own User profile. Sharing of User profiles is prohibited by the e-conveyancing legal framework.
• Unless an exemption applies, only ‘natural persons’ may have a User profile, which means that teams, divisions, and those who ‘job share’ cannot share a User profile.
• Note that Users must regularly log in to PEXA to maintain their profiles. Users who do not log in to PEXA for 100 days will be considered ‘inactive,’ and will have their profiles suspended. Should this occur, Subscriber Managers may reinstate their access. Access frequently asked questions on inactive Users here.

2. Securing your access with Multi-Factor Authentication

• Following the establishment of their profile, a User will be required to set up multi-factor authentication (MFA) using their mobile phone. Further information about MFA can be found here.
• When logging in to PEXA, Users will be required to enter a one-time passcode following their password. This password can be received via SMS or a smartphone app.
• For Users who intend on accessing PEXA via multiple devices (for example, both an office and home computer), or will be using PEXA whilst abroad, it may be preferable to use the smartphone app. More information here.

3. Digital Certificates

• A firm can have as many Signers as required, subject to regulatory requirements and the firm’s internal policies.
• Every User who has authority to sign in PEXA must have their own Digital Certificate and PIN. Sharing of Digital Certificates is prohibited by the e-conveyancing legal framework.
• The following signing activities occur in PEXA, and should be considered when planning who in an organisation requires a Digital Certificate (ensuring that there are a sufficient number of persons with signing capability in place for employee leave, etc) –
  • Signing of land registry instruments – this permission should only be assigned to people who are permitted to sign land registry instruments (please note, each jurisdiction has different rules governing this, more information here)
  • Signing of the Financial Settlement Schedule (by all parties/Subscribers to the transaction)
  • Authorising the use of trust money – this permission may only be assigned to someone who is on record with a Subscriber’s bank as being a trust signatory, and their name in PEXA must perfectly match the name recorded by the bank
  • Activating new Users after they have been created
  • Authorising corrective payments, in circumstances where incorrect account information has been entered into PEXA and a settlement payment rejected

4. Standard Operating Environment

• Information about minimum system requirements and supported browsers may be found in PEXA’s standard operating environment here.
• For the best and most effective access to PEXA, it is recommended these requirements be followed.

Kristie from Think Pink Conveyancing shares her experience transacting on PEXA and how it helps her as a stay at home Mom.

Emma (@EMNX ) speaks to Dan about her experience with PEXA's Support Centre and the benefits she enjoys when transacting online.

Mark Berry from Four Points Conveyancing speaks to PEXA's Dan Roesler about why he loves being a conveyancer and what PEXA does for his business.

Industry leader, Michelle Lihou from Goolwa Conveyancing sits down with PEXA's Dan Roesler to discuss her favourite things about transacting online in South Australia.

@goolwaconveyancing 

PEXA CEO, Marcus Price discusses PEXA Key with B.O.S.S Conveyancing's Director Sally Nguyen and Krystle Kocik, PEXA's EGM of Product.

Sally and her team piloted PEXA Key and is actively using it today, in her firm and with her clients. Hear how her homebuyers found it and what this critical layer of security means for her business.

Read more about PEXA Key here or on Community.

PEXA Key Media

Previous episodes 2019

• Episode One: Nick Karolidis and Marcus discuss common themes raised through PEXA’s in-platform feedb....
• Episode Two: Sarah Rizk, Partner at Thomson Geer speaks with Marcus and PEXA Project’s expert, @Josh....
• Episode Three: 5 in 5 with Jyh Gusew, Community Superuser and Marcus Price, PEXA CEO
• Episode Four: 5 in 5 with Hunt & Hunt Lawyers featuring NAB and Gadens
• Episode Five: 5 in 5 with Shane Jacob, AIC National President and Marcus Price, PEXA CEO

PEXA is always working to deliver a seamless settlement experience, with network feedback key in helping driving platform enhancements.

As part of PEXA’s upcoming Release 10.1.1, a new alert banner when signing lodgement instructions will be introduced.

When proceeding to sign the Lodgement Instructions, if there are Mortgages or Caveats on title in the Workspace, and there is no associated Discharge of Mortgage or Withdrawal of Caveat, a banner will display within the Lodgement Instructions panel on the signing page. The alert advises the user to review any existing claims or encumbrances on title before proceeding.

This does not prevent you from proceeding with your Workspace to Settlement and Lodgement but does act as a helpful reminder.

We are currently planning for this feature to go-live as part of PEXA’s next platform deployment on 7 September. If you have any questions about this functionality, please reply to this post.

In a flip of the script, Shane Jacob, AIC National President, has joined us on the 5 in 5 set to ask Marcus industry’s pressing questions.

Does PEXA plan to become a conveyancing firm?; What is PEXA doing to help the banks streamline their settlement processes?; and more.

Find out in this month’s 5 in 5.

What is the digital conveyancing timeline for TAS, NT and ACT?

PEXA was created to fulfil the Council of Australian Governments’ (COAG) initiative to deliver a single, national e-Conveyancing solution to the Australian property industry and that’s exactly what we plan to do. PEXA is in active discussions with Tasmania, the Northern Territory and the ACT to bring e-Conveyancing to life in those jurisdictions and hopes to be in a position to communicate timelines to industry over the coming 12 months. Pleasingly, the legislation which enables e-Conveyancing has already passed in Tasmania and the Northern Territory.

"A helping hand from your South Australian peers"; highlighting the work of the EC Best Practice Group

This week the e-Conveyancing Community turned 3!

A lot has happened in three years and Community has grown immensely. It now attracts over 25,000 Unique Visitors a month and 160,000 Page Views, has 7,059 members and is still growing everyday with over 150 new members joining in June!

It wouldn’t be what it is today without the help from everyone who uses it, the members who provide feedback, ask questions and the amazing collaborators who provide the answers.

A special shout-out to our Community Super Users who generate a whopping 17% of the content on Community with their posts, answers and discussion. Thank you for being thought leaders and making a positive contribution to the development of e-conveyancing. 

• @DMc who's posted 506 times, provided 15 Accepted Solutions, liked 1,265 posts and received 441 likes himself!
• @TheDoctor 173 Posts, 15 Accepted Solutions, 378 Likes Given and 231 Likes Received.
• @LawyersConveyancing 165 Posts, 437 Logins, 151 Likes Given and 290 Likes Received.
• @Karolidis_and_Co 156 Posts, 21 Accepted Solutions, 471 Logins, 197 Likes Received.
• @BGoodwin 134 Posts, 7 Accepted Solutions, 144 Likes Given, 137 Likes Received.
• @jgusew 130 Posts, 3 Accepted Solutions, 158 Likes Given, 183 Likes Received.
• @Clara 90 Posts, 6 Accepted Solutions, 573 Likes Given , 1,877 Page Views.
• @LG 82 Posts, 6 Accepted Solutions, 1,042 Logins, 133 Likes Given.
• @goolwaconveyancing  80 Posts, 429 Logins, 234 Likes Give, 133 Likes Received.
• @cstewart 68 Posts, 313 Logins, 4 Accepted Solutions, 34 Likes Received.
• @Morri 64 Posts, 10 Accepted Solutions, 102 Likes Given, 171 Likes Received.
• @nicolalambrakis 57 Posts, 190 Logins, 57 Likes Given, 48 Likes Received.
• @CourtneyFitzgerald 45 Posts, 3 Accepted Solutions, 268 Likes Given, 65 Likes Received.
• @Clarkee 42 Posts, 973 Logins, 3 Accepted Solutions, 50 Likes Given.
• @sonia-collins 36 Posts, 487 Logins, 119 Likes Given, 113 Likes Received.
• @BytheBay 34 Posts, 107 Logins, 635 Minutes Online, 70 Likes Received.
• @SimoneC 27 Posts, 209 Logins, 2782 Minutes Online.
• @Caz_at_Astills 21 Posts, 142 Logins, 43 Likes Given, 38 Likes Received. 
• @nakatos 20 Posts, 2 Accepted Solutions, 201 Logins, 46 Likes Received.
• @PaulaMain 18 Posts, 78 Logins, 740 Minutes Online, 28 Likes Received.

It’s been a long and rewarding journey managing and building Community a journey which all started with @Anna and @Emily in 2016!  

Community is always changing and growing, take a look at our first day:

Now Community looks a lot different, we’re proud to see how much content comes from you, our Users (66% of posts) and how valuable a tool it has become, not just to PEXA Members but to all industry participants.

Thanks for a great three years, look forward to seeing you all in Community for many years to come.

Lachlan O'Brien, Associate at Hunt & Hunt Lawyers takes on Marcus' role in this episode of 5 in 5, speaking with Alicia Crossett (NAB) and Aidan Brenkovich (Gadens) about the common issues industry is facing, and what the banks and panel firms are doing to address them.

Previous episodes 2019

• Episode One: Nick Karolidis and Marcus discuss common themes raised through PEXA’s in-platform feedb....
• Episode Two: Sarah Rizk, Partner at Thomson Geer speaks with Marcus and PEXA Project’s expert, @Josh....
• Episode Three: 5 in 5 with Jyh Gusew, Community Superuser and Marcus Price, PEXA CEO

Join Jyh Gusew as he catches up with Marcus Price about Cornwalls’ contribution to the evolution of the PEXA platform, the importance of providing feedback and how industry’s collaboration has evolved over time.

Learn who the Community Superusers are from 2018 and 2019.

PEXA's Member Product Panel can be accessed here.

Other episodes 2019

• Episode One: Nick Karolidis and Marcus discuss common themes raised through PEXA’s in-platform feedb....
• Episode Two: Sarah Rizk, Partner at Thomson Geer speaks with Marcus and PEXA Project’s expert, @Josh....

Sarah Rizk, Partner at Thomson Geer speaks with PEXA’s CEO Marcus Price and PEXA Project’s expert, @Josh Radford about Thomson Geer’s transition to electronic transactions and what that looks like for a major law firm dealing with multi-lot settlements.

Learn more about PEXA Projects here.

REISA CEO Greg Troughton

In this month's edition, REISA CEO Greg Troughton caught up with us to discuss the digital future of property, benefits to industry members, customers and more. 

A new year and new additions to our Community Superuser group, welcome to the fold @CourtneyFitzgerald, @BytheBay, @Clarkee, @sonia-collins, @Karolidis_and_Co, @SimoneC, @Caz_at_Astills, @PaulaMain, @cstewart and @nakatos!

Our Superuser Program recognises the input from our most active and helpful Superusers. We're really lucky to have such a vibrant Community and the support that some of our members give each other is amazing.

Once again we brought the new additions to our Superuser group into Melbourne for PEXA's Open Day.  Deciding to change it up this year (so my terrible painting skills didn't get found out for a second time) I opted for a problem solving challenge - throwing the group into escape rooms. Alas, I was no better at this activity and my team didn't make it through - the bragging right's went to @EmilyBilling's team 

It was great having everyone in on the Friday morning, hearing from CEO, @MarcusPrice, @lisadowie, @KrystleKocik, @BrettCS, @Marty and many others as they learnt more about PEXA, our focus on our members and the projects our teams are working on. 

Thank you all for being a part of it and congratulations on becoming Community Superusers, joining our group from last year:

• @goolwaconveyancing
• @DMc 
• @BGoodwin
• @LawyersConveyancing
• @jgusew
• @LG
• @nicolalambrakis
• @TheDoctor
• @DMc
• @Morri
• @Clara

The Easter Bunny has been overnight and left Easter Eggs throughout Community.
There's an Easter message hidden within the eggs and if you're one of the first 3 to uncover it you'll win a bounty of chocolate.
Keep your eyes peeled - it's trickier than it sounds! The hunt is on until 5pm Tuesday 16th April and winners will be announced on Thursday 18th April.

Clues will be given each day so keep an eye on this post and subscribe if you want to be the first to know!

To enter:

1. Find as many as eggs as you can.
2. Unscramble the letters to find the hidden message.
3. And email it to community@pexa.com.au.

PEXA Promotion Terms – Easter Egg Hunt (‘Promotion’)

1. The Promotion is conducted by Property Exchange Australia Limited A.B.N. 92 140 677 792 of Tower Four, Level 16, 727 Collins Street, Docklands, VIC 3008 (‘Promoter’).
2. By participating in the Promotion, the entrant agrees to be bound by these terms.
3. Entrants must satisfy the following criteria in order to be eligible to win the prize described in paragraph [X]:
• The entrant must be an e-Conveyancing Community Member;
• The entrant must be at least 18 years of age.
4. The Promotion commences on 10 April 2019 and closes at 5 p.m. (Melbourne time) on 17 April 2019 (‘Promotion Period’).
5. In order to enter the Promotion, the entrant must, during the Promotion Period:
• Email community@pexa.com.au the hidden message spelled using the letters found on Easter eggs hidden throughout Community (http://community.pexa.com.au)
6. Only one entry per person is permitted.
7. There will be three prizes available for three winners. Each winner will be entitled to the following prize:
• One chocolate Easter hamper (value is approx. $100).
8. The prizes are non-transferable, cannot be exchanged and cannot be substituted for cash.
9. The winners will be the first, second and third entrants to email the correct message to community@pexa.com.au.
10. The winners will be notified at the end of the competition or as soon as reasonably practical, via the email the address used to contact community@pexa.com.au
11. Personal information such as an entrant’s name and email address will be collected by the Promoter. If an entrant does not provide this information to the Promoter, then the entrant will not be eligible to enter the Promotion. PEXA’s Privacy Policy is available at https://www.pexa.com.au/privacy-policy. By entering the Promotion, the entrant consents to the Promoter:
• using and disclosing their personal information for the purposes of administering the promotion and advertising the winner; and
• disclosing their personal information to the Australian Institute of Conveyancers (‘AIC’) for the purposes of receiving promotional material from AIC regarding the AIC National Conference (including by email).
12. The Promoter’s decision is final and no correspondence will be entered into.
13. The Promotion is a game of skill. Chance plays no part in determining the winner.
14. The Promoter reserves the right to:
• disqualify any entrant who submits an entry that is not in accordance with these terms; and
• disqualify any entrant who submits an entry which infringes a third party’s intellectual property rights or includes profanity, is insulting or inflammatory or includes defamatory language.
15. If the prize is unavailable for any reason, PEXA will substitute an alternative prize of no lesser value.
16. By entering the Promotion, each entrant releases [Instagram / Facebook / LinkedIn / Twitter] from all liability in relation to the competition and acknowledges that the competition is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with, [Instagram / Facebook / LinkedIn / Twitter].

Hi Community,

In this edition of Practitioner Spotlight, learn more about Tamara Grant, PEXA's developer specialist in Queensland, as she shares her market insights and knowledge of PEXA Projects.

How long have you been working at PEXA and what role did you start in?

Tamara: At the end of this month, I will have been at PEXA for one year. I started as a Practitioner Specialist, and about five months ago moved into the Projects Specialist Role.

How did you become a Projects Specialist?

Tamara: Projects and developments are a huge part of the Queensland property market, and for me it is an area I had experience in before my life at PEXA, so it was a role I was very excited to be offered. As the Queensland market grows, the Queensland team needs to be able to support our members with Projects and it’s exciting to be a part of that process.

What is a key driver for you in your role, what motivates you?

Tamara: Seeing the results for our members at the end. Asking lawyers and developers to “change” is a huge trust leap and being able to support them through it and see the growth that happens along the way really keeps me motivated to continue helping our members. The changes that are occurring within the property industry are inevitable and it’s both exciting and rewarding to be a part of it.

As a PEXA Projects specialist in Queensland, how do you see Projects delivering benefits in the market?

Tamara: Queensland as a state is undergoing substantial economic growth and development with new infrastructure, property development and growing levels of interstate migration. The uptake of electronic settlements in a market with a large amount of development keeps us up-to-date with our neighbouring states and enhances the efficiencies and processes for all parties involved – lawyers, developers, banks and buyers. From something as simple as paying GST instantly, to the complexity of arranging 100+ settlements on the one day – the benefits are enormous.

The Queensland market is progressing in its adoption of digital settlements - how do you think Projects is helping advance the uptake of electronic transactions?

Tamara: I think in a state where electronic settlements aren’t compulsory – the uptake is driven by those who see the most benefit in the change, and that is always developers and their lawyers where they are working on large numbers of lots at one time. When the practitioner market sees that developers want electronic settlements, it acts as a catalyst to give electronic settlements a go themselves and be able to provide that service and build future business opportunities from there.   

Do you think the collaboration between developers and law firms on a platform like Projects helps drive efficiencies?

Tamara: Absolutely. Some of the most efficient working relationships I’ve seen using Projects has been where we have had the opportunity to show both the lawyer and the developer how the system works. From there they have had a clear idea of what information and communication is needed to make it work as efficiently as possible. It’s great to see and I look forward to seeing the Queensland market progress this year.

If you’d like to get in touch with Tamara, you can contact her @tamaragrant or at Tamara.Grant@pexa.com.au.

Submissions for the PropertyX Awards are open!

Now in its second year, the PropertyX Awards recognise the achievements of those driving transformation within the digital settlement landscape. Award categories include practitioners, panel law firms, developers and financial institutions.

If you would like your firm to be recognised for its achievements, make sure you complete your submission by 5.00pm Wednesday 3 April 2019 AEDT.

Start your submission now: https://e-award.com.au/2019/pexa/newentry/index.php

Join CEO Marcus Price, and Community Superuser Nick Karolidis for the first 5 in 5 of 2019.

This episode, @Karolidis_and_Co and Marcus discuss key themes raised through PEXA’s in-platform member feedback tool and new functionalities coming to PEXA this year. 

Further information

Share your platform experience via the in-platform ‘Feedback’ button: https://community.pexa.com.au/t5/Help-Centre/Sharing-Feedback-directly-with-PEXA/ba-p/14211

PEXA Plus: https://community.pexa.com.au/t5/Frequently-Asked-Questions/Introducing-PEXA-Plus/ba-p/7205

Marketplace: https://community.pexa.com.au/t5/Help-Centre/PEXA-Plus-Marketplace-Your-guide-to-ordering-property-s...

PEXA Flow: https://community.pexa.com.au/t5/Announcements-Outages-Service/PEXA-Flow-PEXA-upgrade-coming-soon/bc...

Last month we sat and had a chat with Jeff Stevens, life member and past President of the AIC National and a significant contributor throughout the journey to digitise property settlements. He runs a specialised property practice in Adelaide, Stevens Partners, where we caught up with him and the team to talk PEXA.

Daniel Roesler and Jeff Stevens