Federation Settlements

09/10/2026

The paperwork was not the hard part on this survivorship application. Making sure the person who owned the property understood what was happening was.

An older client living overseas needed a WA survivorship application after their spouse died. Their adult child was helping from another country, and English was not the client's strongest language.

It would have been easy for every conversation to run through the family member. That would have been faster, but the instructions still had to come from the client.

We spoke directly with the client, arranged language support and provided the key information in both English and Chinese. Once the client had confirmed they understood the application and wanted us to liaise with their family member, we prepared the documents and written instructions needed for signing overseas.

The client then attended an Australian consular office to have the documents witnessed, and the survivorship application was completed. In the end, the slowest part was the physical mail between countries.

The practical lesson was simple: when distance, language and family involvement overlap, slow down and make the communication fit the person. Technology can help with access, but it cannot replace direct instructions, proper checks and human judgment.

14/09/2026

Settlement can feel like something that happens quietly in the background until someone tells you, “It has settled.”

Here is the simple version. There are two checklists being worked through before settlement day.

Federation's checklist includes reading the contract, tracking the conditions that affect settlement, preparing the transfer documents, completing the required property enquiries, coordinating with the lender and other parties, preparing the settlement statement, confirming the funds required and completing settlement.

Your checklist includes completing the secure identity check, returning documents, keeping your finance moving, arranging the pre-settlement inspection, confirming insurance requirements and organising the practical parts of moving, including utilities, removalists and key collection.

You shouldn't have to follow every step happening behind the scenes. We will make your part clear and tell you what we need, what we are waiting on and what happens next.

Every contract and property is different, so there may be additional steps for your settlement.

10/09/2026

Buying a property from family for less than market value? Do not assume transfer duty will be based only on what you are paying.

In WA, transfer duty is generally calculated using the higher of the amount paid and the property's unencumbered value. For a related-party transaction, the property must be independently valued before RevenueWA issues the assessment.

So a family discount may reduce the purchase price without reducing the duty. Check the duty position before agreeing on figures or finalising finance. Exemptions, nominal-duty provisions or concessions may apply to some transactions, depending on how the transfer is structured.

02/09/2026

Our page has been fairly quiet for a while. Federation itself hasn’t gone anywhere.

We’ve been helping WA buyers and sellers since 2011, but this page hasn’t kept pace with the work happening in the business. We’ve recently tidied it up and will be using it more consistently.

We’ll share practical information about settlements and WA property transactions, useful updates when something changes, and the occasional look at what we’re working on.

No constant sales posts. Just information we think will actually help.

15/06/2026

Please note from 1 July things in how we complete your settlement will change please view https://www.facebook.com/share/1DEtCf15SG/

30/10/2025

Please be vigilant about your internet use.

⚠️ Public Wi-Fi Risks
Public Wi-Fi in cafés, airports, or shopping centres is often unencrypted. This means hackers can intercept emails, logins, and even payment details. Some set up fake networks or push malware through login screens.

Vigilance is key: hackers only need one weak link, whether it's you or you client, to exploit a transaction

🛡 Remind your clients to:
✅ Avoid using public Wi-Fi for settlement or banking
✅ Use mobile data or a personal hotspot
✅ If unavoidable, connect through a trusted VPN
✅ Always log out and disable file sharing

22/10/2025

July 2026 all Settlement Agents and Real Estate agents will be subject to these changes.

Watch this video to learn more about how the reforms might affect you. Visit our website for more information: AML/CTF Reform | AUSTRAC

02/12/2024

Capital Gains Clearance Changes + Christmas Closure Dates🎄 -

We’re reaching out with an important update for real estate professionals regarding changes to Capital Gains Withholding Clearance Certificates, effective from January 1, 2025. These changes, recently approved by Parliament, will impact property transactions across the board.

21/03/2024

🌟 Steady Rates, Steady Service! 🌟

In a world that's constantly shifting, there's something reassuring about a bit of consistency. The Reserve Bank has just announced that the cash rate will remain unchanged for another month, providing a stable backdrop in these unpredictable times.

At Federation Settlements, we see this as a reflection of our own values. Just like the steady cash rate, our commitment to providing you with top-notch conveyancing services remains unwavering. We blend the best of both worlds: good old-fashioned service that makes you feel valued and understood, with cutting-edge technology that ensures your transactions are as smooth and efficient as possible.

Whether you're buying your first home, selling a property, or anything in between, we're here to provide you with a seamless experience, grounded in reliability and propelled by innovation.

📞 Get in touch to see how we can make your conveyancing process straightforward and stress-free, no matter what the market looks like.

👍 Like our page for more updates and tips!

Provides real property services including transfer of property subdivisions commercial property electronic conveyancing

04/04/2023

My office for the next few days.