Settlements, valuations looming as post-COVID challenge

Australia’s post-pandemic sales surge and the continuing deluge of refinancing applications is resulting in settlement delays, while at the same time lower-than-expected valuations are beginning to cause headaches for homebuyers.

While positivity has been flowing through Australian property markets for much of the last three months, fuelling price growth predictions throughout 2021, first homebuyers and small business owners are reporting emergi…