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Property settlement should feel like the final stretch to your buying or selling journey, not a last minute scramble and a mad dash to the finishing line.
But even a smooth WA property transaction can hit unexpected speed bumps along the way.
The good news is that almost every single one of these hiccups is preventable with the right preparation and a conveyancer who keeps everything moving behind the scenes.
Here is our guide to the most common settlement delays in WA, and the simple steps we help you stay on track.
Slow Finance Approval
Waiting for finance approval is one of the biggest stressors in any transaction.
As banks have multiple internal checks- even the smallest mistakes like a missing payslip, mismatched signature, or outdated statement can add weeks to the timeline.
How to avoid it:
- Get your pre-approval before you start house hunting.
- Triple-check that every document you send your broker is accurate and signed before submission.
- Keep your broker and conveyancer in the loop with any updates.
At Federation Settlements:
We don’t just wait for updates- we track your finance conditions daily and follow up proactively, ensuring that everything is met well ahead of the deadline.
If you’re just getting started on your property journey and are looking for someone to guide your finance process, we work with a network of trusted brokers- just let us know and we’ll be happy to connect you.
VOI or Digital Signature Delays
ID verification (VOI) and digital signing are now standard in WA. Tools like Scantek and Docusign are fast and reliable- but only when the steps are completed quickly.
A missed email or delayed signature can stall the entire process.
How to avoid it:
- Complete your Scantek VOI the moment the link arrives.
- Check your spam folder- these emails love hiding there.
- Review and sign DocuSign documents at your earliest convenience.
Our approach:
We monitor your VOI and signing steps in real time. If something is holding things up, you’ll get a friendly nudge immediately.
Sellers Only- Bank Discharge Waiting Times
If you’re selling and still have a mortgage, your bank must prepare a formal discharge.
Banks typically require 10-14 business days from the date of submission, and any delay in submitting this request can push settlement back.
How to avoid it:
- Contact your lender as soon as your offer is accepted.
- Confirm that the Discharge Authority has been submitted and is processing.
- Forward a copy of the completed Discharge Authority to your conveyancer.
How We Help:
We coordinate with your bank from day one, tracking progress through to PEXA, minimising unnecessary waiting time.
Getting Accurate Rate and Tax Adjustments
Council rates, water charges, and land tax must all be confirmed and adjusted fairly between buyer and seller. When official figures are slow to issue confirmation, the settlement statement can’t be finalised.
How to avoid it:
- Send us your most recent rates and water bills early.
- Notify us of any big payments you’ve made recently.
- Stop any direct debits you may have in place.
Our Promise:
We use verified online databases and digital tools to retrieve accurate rates and charges quickly, keeping your numbers correct and settlement-ready.
Keeping Everyone Coordinated on PEXA
All WA settlements are completed electronically via PEXA.
It’s fast, secure and efficient- but it relies on every party completing their tasks in the workspace on time. If anyone misses an action, the timeline gets pushed back.
Our Expertise: We monitor the PEXA workspace closely, chasing pending tasks early, and resolving issues before they can derail your timeline.
Digital Efficiency with Personal Service
At Federation Settlements, we bring together the security and speed of modern tools (Scantek, DocuSign, PEXA) with consistent, hands-on communication. This means fewer surprises, clearer guidance and a settlement that feels directed, not chaotic.
We’re here to prevent delays, not react to them, so you can enjoy a smooth and secure settlement from the moment your offer is accepted to the moment the keys change hands.