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Improving Serviceability & Borrowing

One of the most common things we’re asked is how to improve serviceability—that is, your ability to borrow more money for a home loan. Whether you're buying your first home, upsizing, or investing, understanding how banks assess your financial position can make all the difference.There are several ways to improve your borrowing power, and many of them are simpler than you might think....

CASE STUDY: The Beauty of Having Multiple Bank Options

When you’re buying a home and have a strong deposit behind you, it’s the perfect time to make the banks work for you—not the other way around.We recently worked with a client who was looking to purchase in the Bay of Plenty. With a solid deposit and clear goals, it was all about finding the right bank with the best fit for their situation—not just the sharpest rate.Here’s how we helped:Step 1: Reviewing their positionOur client had a great deposit saved and a clear idea of where they w...

CASE STUDY: Restructuring Lending to Save

Why Restructuring Lending Can Be Just as Powerful as New LendingSometimes the smartest financial moves aren’t about borrowing more — they’re about structuring what you already have in the right way.We recently worked with a client who had received accounting advice suggesting that moving some of their existing lending into a company name could help them claim interest deductions against their investment property. It’s a smart strategy, but like any good plan, it needed the right lending ...

How can I buy my first home with less than 20% deposit?

A lot of first-home buyers think they need a 20% deposit to get on the property ladder—but that’s not always the case.The good news? There are actually several ways you can buy with less, and we’re here to help you figure out which one’s right for you.Here’s a breakdown of how you can get into your first home with less than a 20% deposit......

Is It A Good Time to Sell?

We've been chatting to more and more of our first home buyers lately who are now ready to take the next step: purchasing their first investment property. If that’s you, great news—it could be more achievable than you think!We’re breaking down exactly how you can calculate your usable equity and what that means when it comes to buying your next property....

Using A Guarantee For Your Family

Guarantees used to be a simple way for parents to help their children into a first home. But with changes to responsible lending rules, things have become a lot more complex. If you're thinking about helping a family member buy a home—or you're a first-home buyer yourself—it’s important to understand what’s involved....

Buying at Auction

Buying a property at auction is such an exciting to lock in your dream home or investment—but it does come with a few extra responsibilities, especially when it comes to finance.Here’s a quick breakdown of what you need to have sorted before auction day...

Buying Your First Home in 2025!

Thinking about buying your first home in 2025? We love working with first-home buyers. We keep things relaxed, clear, and easy—but we’re also incredibly good at what we do. Most importantly, we want to make sure your journey is smooth, stress-free, and yes, even fun.So, what does the process actually look like when you work with us?...

Lower Interest Rates: What's Your Next Step?

Yep, interest rates are still coming down! But what does that actually mean for you and your mortgage? Is it time to refix, refinance—or just stay put?We’re working with a lot of clients right now to help them make smart decisions in this ever-changing space. Here’s what we’re focusing on, and how you can use these strategies to improve your financial position....

What to Consider When Buying Your First Investment Property

Getting into property investment for the first time is a super exciting, and it’s something we’re talking to a lot of clients about right now. After a few years of solid equity growth in their homes, lots of people are ready to take that next step, especially in a market that’s a little quieter. Here’s what you need to know if you’re thinking about buying your first investment property in 2025....

April OCR drop - what's happening with interest rates?

You might have seen the headlines—floating interest rates have dropped across most of the main banks following the recent OCR review.That’s great news... but if you're like most Kiwis with a fixed home loan, you might be wondering: “So what?”Let’s unpack what it really means for you, especially if you’ve got a fixed rate coming up for renewal....

Should I break my loan to get a cheaper interest rate?

With interest rates now really starting to drop, a lot of people are looking at the new interest rates and potential savings and are asking: “Should I break my fixed loan early to get a lower interest rate?”And honestly—it depends.Let’s break it down....

CASE STUDY: Should I upgrade my home or buy a rental property?

Jason and Sarah are professionals in their late 30’s, with three children, living in Tauranga.They purchased their first home in Hamilton 10 years ago, and 5 years ago, they decided a move to be closer to family and the beach was on the cards. An opportunity to build a home for their growing family popped up, and they purchased a brand new property, now worth $915K.With their existing lending of $495K split into four loans, their equity position is fantastic, and they approached us for some ad...

Loan Term vs Fixed Term - What's the difference?

Greg explains the difference between a 'loan term' and a 'fixed term' and breaks down the jargon.  Watch the video and check out the examples below to learn more. ...

What is a cashback and am I eligible for one?

The good news? You probably are!A cashback contribution is a financial incentive that banks offer to borrowers when they take out new lending.While banks may refer to it by different names, it essentially means they’re giving you money in return for staying with them for a certain period.Let's dive into what cashbacks are, when they are paid, and whether you might be eligible!...

Tips to repay your mortgage faster

Each time a payment comes out for your mortgage repayments, it feels like it is a never ending flow of money from your account and if you're near the start of your mortgage, 30 years seems like a long time.We have some tips to pay your mortgage off faster....

Thrive in 2025 - our predictions for the year

2025 is shaping up to be a big year for Kiwi homeowners, buyers, investors, and mortgage holders. With economic shifts, evolving government policies, and new trends, here are my top five predictions....

Why you should split your lending between banks

Sign Up for February 2025 Interest Rate Webinar here...

Renovate or upgrade?

This is a question I’m hearing a lot lately as homeowners consider the most cost-effective option for their next move. The answer depends on several factors, including location, financial resources, income, and even your skill set! Let's have a look at the things you should be considering to help make the right call....

Joint Purchases

We’re seeing a growing number of people keen to get on the property ladder—but without a partner to buy with. The good news? There are plenty of smart and achievable ways to make homeownership happen, even if you’re going it alone (or with someone other than a significant other).Whether it’s teaming up with a sibling, a parent, or even a good friend, joint purchases are becoming a great option for many buyers. ...

What should I do now the OCR has dropped?

The OCR was dropped once again yesterday afternoon by 0.5% to 4.25%, and immediately most of the major trading banks have dropped their floating or variable rates.As of Friday 29th, no word yet on fixed rates which we expect will filter through in the next week or so.However, this is great news for all of us in that the cost of borrowing money is now firmly dropping, and we're seeing a clear direction of travel from the Reserve Bank for 2025, too....

Should You Fix for 6 or 12 Months After the Latest OCR Cut?

The Reserve Bank of New Zealand’s recent decision to cut the Official Cash Rate (OCR) by 0.50% has changed the game for borrowers. With more cuts predicted, many are left wondering: should you fix your mortgage for six months or 12 months, and what could that decision mean for your finances in 2025 and beyond?When the OCR drops, mortgage rates generally follow, making borrowing more affordable. This is encouraging for homeowners and prospective buyers alike.But it also presents a choice: do yo...

Connecting People Through a Community

The Junior Community Rugby Festivals provides a one day festival across six regions  throughout New Zealand. On Sunday 14th August we held our 5th Junior Community Rugby Festival at Swarbrick Park, Frankton, Waikato. They had a massive 111 teams participating from the ages 6-11 years....

Low Equity Margins & Premiums Explained: What You Need to Know

When you're in the process of securing a home loan, particularly if you have less than a 20% deposit, you'll likely encounter terms like Low Equity Margins (LEMs) and Low Equity Premiums (LEPs). These additional fees are important to understand, as they affect the overall cost of your mortgage and how much you’ll be paying over time. In this article, we’ll break down what LEMs and LEPs are, how they work, and what you need to consider when they apply to your mortgage....

How to Navigate Interest Rate Fixing in August 2024

As we navigate the ever-changing landscape of mortgage interest rates in August 2024, many homeowners are left wondering: What should I do with my interest rate fixed period? With recent drops in the Official Cash Rate (OCR) and subsequent rate adjustments by banks, it can be challenging to determine the best course of action. This guide aims to break down the key considerations you should keep in mind when deciding how to fix your mortgage rate in the current market....