About SoniaR

Hi   Further to the recent scams, is there a way that PEXA can assist Conveyancers to provide their trust account details to their client in a secure manner?  eg by a SettleMe phone application bypassing the email and SMS systems?  ... View more

Harold settling at Auckland Wharf  PEXA Tips   Nita and Harold Baggs, the principals of SA-based Aberfoyle Happy Valley Conveyancers have taken to PEXA like ducks to water.  On a recent holiday in New Zealand they had two PEXA settlements, so Harold sat out in the sun and signed off on the settlements while sitting at the Auckland wharf!   This shows the versatility of the electronic settlement platform, bringing more freedom to business owners.  By streamlining their own systems and with customised Reconciliation Statements generated from their database, Nita and Harold are completing more and more settlements on the PEXA platform.   The staff of Aberfoyle Happy Valley Conveyancers urge other practitioners to use PEXA.  “Just do it. The conversation tool is a great way to liaise with the banks.  It is quick and convenient and if there are issues with the bank being outside the transfer guidelines, you can always send an email to PEXA support to escalate,” explained the firm’s team member, Jacqui.   Nita and Harold have provided these great tips to help you transact:   Start with an easy transaction. For example a transaction with cash or a clear title  Leverage the expertise and assistance of the PEXA Direct Specialists, Sonia Roberts or Matthew Kelly. They will mentor you through the whole process until you are comfortable transacting on your own.  This free service will not be available forever, so take advantage now and learn while you can get some expert help Nominate settlement times early in the day so that they are completed before you leave for other any paper settlements. We regularly try for 10.30am Always do your own reconciliation statement to work out your sources and destinations as you enter your Source or Destination funds. As a business owner, you need to “own your fees” and not apologise for them. If the Conveyancer views the PEXA fee as an efficiency gain, the client will accept the fee as part of the transaction process.  Don’t set up a situation where PEXA is an option. Advise the Vendors that the PEXA platform enables you to have their funds ready for their immediate use as early 10.30am in some cases (depending on the bank). Usually a Vendor will be very happy to hear that. Advise Purchasers that using the electronic platform means they may be able to collect their keys earlier in the day. Advise both parties that we believe this is the safest option for the movement of the funds from party to party and in this day of cybercrime we feel this is definitely the way to go. We were called upon to embrace the RevenueSA online payment of Stamp Duty in South Australia many years ago and what a great advancement that was to our businesses. PEXA will be an even greater revolution to the way we transact. Nita believes the PEXA fee is a matter of context for the conveyancing profession as it transitions away from the old pen and paper way of settling property to the new electronic system.  She states “PEXA fees are automatically included in our disbursements nowadays.  We have run two businesses for 41 and 31 years respectively with our clients accepting our recommended methods and practices.”   The benefits of a PEXA settlement are huge to all parties.  Using PEXA could also mean your client settles on the afternoon of the scheduled settlement day instead of falling over because a bank was not ready to book in time.  The conveyancer saves time with no more anguished phone calls to the bank trying to book settlement.   Nita and Harold are keen to see the implementation of PEXA spread throughout SA so that everyone can benefit from the more efficient and easier work flows available through the electronic platform.    They urge all conveyancers to accept invitations that are suitable for PEXA.  In accepting the workspace, you will gradually build your confidence and competency settling through the platform with the assistance of the PEXA Direct Specialists.  ‘Lift and Replace’ encumbrances will be available from 6 November 2017 and this means a lot more eligible transactions, so Land Title Office-free days are more than just a dream.   Congratulations to Harold and Nita for future-proofing their firm by embracing online property transactions.    ... View more

    Congratulations Kathy Stolinski and the staff at Adcocks Conveyancing for becoming Pexperts!   As a past President of AICSA and National Councillor, Kathy has been a huge advocate for PEXA from its inception and among the first to use PEXA in South Australia.  I was very proud to present her trophy this week.   Well done guys! ... View more

Ann, Renee & Courtney have completed Port Lincoln's first electronic settlement Renee Patterson-Jesser, Owner of Karen Patterson Registered Conveyancers has completed the first electronic settlement in Port Lincoln.  Renee and her staff have done an amazing job of embracing PEXA, opening 17 workspaces in two days and doing their first electronic settlement the same week.  Congratulations to the whole team for blazing the way to the new future of Conveyancing in Port Lincoln.   Well done Guys! ... View more

Penny Erskine   Congratulations to Penny Erskine , CEO of Conveyancing Matters and her staff, for fully  integrating PEXA into their offices and processes. Her firm has two offices and 15 staff, so Penny started gradually by carefully transitioning her staff to use PEXA wherever possible.    Supported by weekly visits under the PEXA Direct Program, the Conveyancers grew in confidence and were able to see the true benefits of PEXA.  It was fabulous to hear Frank Graney say “I can’t believe how easy it is to get a PEXA settlement ready compared to a standard file.  I will be opening as many as possible now”.  Simon Gerlach said his best moment was when he rang his client to confirm settlement was complete, to have the client say “I know – I have the funds in my account already”.  Renee Thomas said it was the stress free manner of dealing with the banks. We have now trained their Administrative staff to review and open all PEXA compatible files as they come in and to send and monitor invitations.    Conveyancing Matters are now the second top transacting firm in South Australia and closing in fast on first place.   My Congratulations go to all the staff for the way they have embraced this important new tool for our industry head on.  For a big firm, it can be a challenge to change systems for electronic settlement, but Conveyancing Matters have proved that the process can be easy on the staff while now reaping the rewards of the time saved on each file.    Well done guys!!   Conveyancing Matters staff     ... View more

    Congratulations to Conveyancing Matters Blackwood office who have recently settled their first simultaneous settlement.   They had expected the process to much harder and were pleasantly surprised at how little work was involved in this settlement on PEXA.  Plus, they did not have to wait around at settlements for the sale to go through before then settling the purchase.  Way to go guys! ... View more

McKay Business Services Team Congratulations to McKay Business Services who have recently graduated from the PEXA Direct Program.  Under the leadership of Denise McKay, all her staff have embraced PEXA from the very beginning.    It never occurred to them to consider electronic conveyancing as daunting but eagerly opened as many matters as possible.  They are all excited at being in the forefront of a new age in conveyancing – something they can brag about to their children and grandchildren.  They have been consistently at the top of the transaction leader board.   McKay Business Services stands proud as a leader in the conveyancing community towards digital transformation and are now reaping the real rewards from improved business processes and enhanced client service.      Great job guys - I am really proud of you!   ... View more

Munro & Mahney of Naracoorte, South Australia have just completed their first PEXA settlement!    While PEXA has lots of advantages for all practitioners, it is even more beneficial to those situated some distance from the Lands Titles Office.  Anthony Munro stated “The PEXA workspace was easy to navigate enabling us to prepare and finalise the matter in a relatively short period of time.  The great benefit for regional conveyancers is that PEXA allows us to essentially complete transactions from our office without the need to send documents days in advance for settlement.”   Congratulations to Anthony, Rachel and Anna.   @SoniaR       ... View more

Howdee Both SA and I have now completed 3 months with PEXA! I am thoroughly enjoying assisting Practitioners to transact on the PEXA platform.  There have been lots of firsts, and now second, third, fourth, fifth and even sixth settlements.  It is great to see everyone getting more confident and even opening workspaces on their own.  I attach photos of just a few of our transacting practitioners here. . Adcocks Conveyancing Alicia - Frome Street Conveyancing Cor Vermey An excited Frank Graney Gail, Hans & Will - Liedigs Grant - Holdfast Conveyancers Julie - Rusak Conveyancing Rosemary Daller Adelaide Conveyancing Tania Fitzpatrick Trevor White Conveyancing Tuckfield Conveyancers Please keep sending me your photos. Sonia.   Community members featured in photos: @BrookeRobo @gail @KMorris @LRacioppi @MErrington ... View more