By Katherine Hanson, AICWA member and licensee at Hanson Property Settlements.
An outstanding settlement agency is essential for a smooth and successful property transaction. Here are a few things that you should look for:
EXPERIENCE – Your settlement agent needs to have a thorough understanding of the conveyancing process, legal requirements, and potential issues that may arise.
PROFESSIONALISM AND COMMUNICATION – Maintaining a high level of professionalism and communication is very important, as the more you are informed of how your settlement is progressing, the more ‘at ease’ you will feel.
LATEST TECHNOLOGY/SYSTEMS – Gone are the days of handing over a cheque in person; now, with systems such as PEXA, it can all be done online. This means settlement happens almost instantly and is streamlined from start to finish.
CUSTOMER SERVICE – You are paying for a service and should receive that…and more! Your settlement agent should be highly responsive and supportive throughout the transaction and guide you through each step of the process.
COMPETITIVE PRICING – Transparency about fees when choosing your settlement agent is very important; you need to know what you are paying for and if any other costs may arise. And remember that the cheapest is almost never the best.
REPUTATION – Whether online reviews from previous clients, referrals from family/friends, and also a good general level of reputation within the industry, all should be taken into account.