Real estate professionals are the front door to buying and selling property, and for this reason may have to up the standards of VOI for both sellers and buyers.
With the coming legislation reports to create the new ruling made the following observations :
Real estate professionals have a different relationship with purchasers and sellers to other parties involved in a property transaction and can provide unique insights. For example, real estate professionals are well-placed to know if the client:
- is located inexplicably far away from the property being purchased
- purchases property without viewing it
- shows little interest in price
- appears to be acting under the instruction of a controlling third party
- pays a large deposit in cash and the balance is financed by an unusual source, or
- alters a transaction after being asked for further information.
Whilst other professional service providers (lawyers, accountants, trust and company service providers) are also proposed to be subject to new AML/CTF obligations when they prepare for or carry out transactions for their client relating to the buying and selling of real estate, Real estate agents are first to be face to face and need to be aware of the signs of possible money laundering.
Capital Conveyancing recommends both Australia post and Scantek as tools for proper identification of buyers and sellers.
As these new laws come to be implemented real estate agents will have to up their game on the processes and implement more fool proof measures to capture client’s ID.
With Scantek technology, regardless of the client’s geographic location, they can be fully verified using the camera on their smart phone. The App guides them through screen captures of the primary and secondary documents they need.
Be prepared and update systems now would be our advice.