They may not have realised it at the time but MJ Duffy and Son has completed the first electronic conveyancing transaction in Dubbo.
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Earlier in the month legal secretary Dianne Jordan, licensed conveyancer Christine Reardon and partner Robert Elliott undertook their first virtual transaction, however it wasn't until they spoke to Property Exchange Australia (PEXA) that they were told it was the first in the city.
It required the co-operation of both parties and the bank, Ms Reardon said.
"We'd been contacted saying PEXA was coming, we were curious, we did some training and then they approached us about a transaction. The banks and the other party was on board, we were the only one that had to make the decision," she said.
Ms Reardon said the results were faster than the traditional paperwork.
"You'd be surprised at how often you get to the bank and there would be an error, a small typological mistake or someone had left 50 cents off the cheque. It can really hold everything up," she said.
"When we get to settlement, within half an hour everything is done."
Mr Elliott said previously someone might want to buy a property that day, but it wouldn't be in their name for a month.
Electronic conveyancing was the way forward, Ms Jordan said.
"If you don't start at the beginning and give things a go you're behind the eight-ball. But not every transaction will be done that way. There's very rigorous criteria you have to go through," she said.
While the big four banks are open to electronic conveyancing, not all of the smaller banks and credit unions can accept the paperless transaction.
Ms Reardon said there had been extensive training sessions with PEXA and the organisation had been very supportive.