We should all know about the networking benefits of social media – using platforms such as Twitter and Facebook to engage with potential clients and other members of the industry helps to make important contacts and generate leads, while keeping your brand ‘top of mind’. But social media can also be a powerful search engine …
Western Australia has experienced two instances within the last 12 months where real property appears to have been sold without the owner’s consent. In both cases, the owner (registered proprietor) was residing outside of WA and it appears that they were victims of identity theft. In order to reduce the risk to WA landowners from …
When sales are slow it’s easy to blame the market. Interest rates, discounters, government regulations. Once they’ve been sorted out the market will be ok. The HIA wants to blame the market. So does Gerry Harvey and his big retailer friends. Faced with sluggish sales they place their industries woes squarely at the feet of …
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As the Perth Nigerian house scam demonstrates the best defence against identity is constant vigilance. But it seems Australians aren’t getting the message. In a recent Newspoll survey an alarming 75% of Australians regularly throw away highly sensitive information without shredding or disposing of them safely. These include utility bills, bank statements, expired credit cards …
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Five government agencies have launched a joint investigation into recent real estate scams to determine if extra protections are necessary to prevent identity theft in the buying and selling of property and the land titles system in Western Australia. The Commercial Crime Division of WA Police, Consumer Protection, Landgate, the Real Estate and Business Agents Supervisory Board (REBA) …
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This updated advisory has just come through from the Settlement Agents’ Supervisory Board and is a timely warning for both real estate and settlement agents. Recent events have prompted a further scam alert being issued by the Chairwoman of the Settlement Agents Supervisory Board (the Board), Ms Mirina Muir. Ms Muir advised that following on from …
Knowing your client has taken on a new meaning in the wake of a recent scam where a Perth investor had his property sold without his knowledge. Now, more than ever, it’s essential for both real estate and settlement agents to carefully identify their clients. Agents should, where possible, meet their clients personally. A 100-point …
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The recent case of a man losing his house as a result of a Nigerian real estate scam highlights the need for increased vigilance by everyone involved in real estate transactions. Although it’s the first time such a crime has been committed in Australia, it’s by no means the first fraud involving a forged property …
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AAP It is estimated that around 469,000 households will be suffering mortgage discomfort by December and the number of those in severe stress (facing a potential sale, foreclosure or forced refinance) could be as high as 267,000. How can at-risk borrowers stay out of trouble, save money and own their property sooner? Spokesperson for Mortgage …
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Termites. The mere mention of the word can cause homeowner hysteria. These pesky insects silently invade your home and can leave you with a staggering repair bill. Unfortunately we do a lot of things that can attract termites to our homes. Here are a few tips to stave off a full blown attack. Keep wood …
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