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What does a mortgage adviser do?

Buying a home is one of the biggest financial decisions many of us make, and figuring out how to finance it can be overwhelming. That’s where a mortgage advisor comes in. Simply put, a mortgage advisor works on your behalf to arrange and give advice on the best home loan options available, helping make the process easier, clearer and more successful.Your Mortgage Adviser: Your Advocate in the Loan ProcessA mortgage adviser isn’t just someone who fills out paperwork. They’re a pro...

Over 50 and buying property? Here's what you need to know about home loans

For many, the dream of owning a home doesn't retire at 50. In fact, entering the later stages of life can be an ideal time to reassess financial portfolios, consider investing in property, or even buy your first home. However, securing a mortgage after 50 comes with its own set of challenges and considerations. At My Mortgage, we regularly assist clients across a broad age spectrum, from enthusiastic first-time buyers in their 20s to seasoned investors who are well into retirement....

Five signs it might be time to review your Mortgage and Interest Rates

Life moves fast - and so do interest rates, property values and your own financial goals.A loan structure that was perfect two years ago may not be serving you today.Here’s how to know it’s time to check in and see if a refinance or restructure could save you money or open new opportunities....

Should I Talk to a Budgeting Specialist or a Mortgage Adviser First?

We get this question a lot, especially from first home buyers just starting to think about how to get into the market. "Should I talk to someone about budgeting and saving first, or go straight to a mortgage adviser?" It’s a great question, and the answer really depends on your goals and where you're at financially. So let’s break it down....

Will the Bank Judge Our Jobs? What Your Career Says to a Lender

We had a great question from a first home buyer recently:“My partner works in hospitality and I’m in accounting. Will the bank look at his job history and think it’s risky? Does your job choice affect whether the bank will lend to you?”Short answer? Yes, but it’s not as scary as it sounds.Let’s break it down in plain English, and talk about what banks are really looking for when it comes to your job, your income, and how “secure” it all seems....

Buying Your First Home Later in Life – Is It Still Possible?

If you’re over 40, juggling a few kids, and trying to get through work demands it’s easy to feel like you’ve “missed the boat” when it comes to buying your first home. Add in a small deposit and the ever-rising cost of living, and the dream can feel further away than ever.But here’s the good news: it’s absolutely still possible. You just need a realistic plan, a clear understanding of your numbers, and the right advice....

Mortgage Adviser vs Bank – Which Should You Choose for Your First Home Loan?

You’ve got your deposit sorted (nice work!) and you’re ready to take the next step towards buying your first home. Now comes the big question – do you go straight to your bank, or talk to a mortgage adviser first?It’s a question we get from first home buyers all the time, and the answer really depends on what you’re after. Let’s break it down so you can decide what’s right for you....

Guarantees & deposit assistance from family

With the Reserve Bank changes in 2013 forcing most borrowers to have over 20% deposit there has been a much higher rate of family assisting home buyers with funds towards their deposit for a home. There are a number of ways that this can be done and all have the pros and cons. Below we have covered some of the more popular options....

Why It’s Harder to Buy at Auction with Less Than a 20% Deposit (but not impossible!)

Buying your first home at auction can feel exciting—but if you’ve got less than a 20% deposit, it can also be a lot more complicated.At My Mortgage, we often work with first home buyers who are keen to buy at auction but aren’t aware of the extra steps involved. Here’s what you need to know before you head to the auction room....

CASE STUDY: Buying With A Sibling

Buying a home with a sibling can be a smart way to get on the property ladder—especially when you’ve both worked hard to build up savings and KiwiSaver. That’s exactly what we helped these two do as they purchased their first home together in the Waikato....

CASE STUDY: Using Property Equity For Business

Sometimes your home can do more than just give you a place to live—it can help you take the next big step in your career or business too.This client came to us looking to review their lending with a very specific goal in mind: to buy out their business partner and take full ownership of a shared business. With strong equity in their home, we looked at how we could structure lending to make this move as cost-effective as possible—avoiding high commercial rates where we could and keeping the p...

Low equity margins

When you're buying your first home or entering the market with a smaller deposit, you might come across the terms Low Equity Premium (LEP) or Low Equity Margin (LEM). These are extra costs that banks may charge when you have less than a 20% deposit—essentially because there’s more risk involved for them.We're here to help make these terms easy to understand and explain how they could impact your loan structure....

CASE STUDY: Moving On With Confidence

A relationship separation brings a lot of emotional and financial change—and for many, one of the biggest questions is what to do about the property. For this client, it was about finding a clear path forward and creating stability with a new home.They came to us exploring the options of either buying out their ex-partner or purchasing a new home on their own in the Waikato. With an understanding of the process and some equity behind them, they were in a good position to take the next step....

New Vs. existing bank customers

We often get asked: "Is my current bank still the right choice for me?" It's a great question—and one worth exploring, especially when you're thinking about refinancing or re-fixing your loan....

CASE STUDY: An Investment and A Renovation

One of the smartest moves in property ownership is knowing how to make your equity work for you—especially after buying a new home. That’s exactly what this client did when they came to us ready to take the next step with an investment property.After recently purchasing a new owner-occupied home and settling in, they were keen to jump back in and secure an investment property in the Waikato. With low lending still sitting on the new home, it was a great time to figure out what was possible....

CASE STUDY: When You Can't Access Kainga Ora

Sometimes, getting the right lending approval isn’t about waiting for the perfect time—it’s about moving forward when everything aligns just enough.This client came to us looking to buy their first home in the Waikato. They’d looked at properties before, but with interest rates easing and their deposit steadily growing, it finally felt like the right time to make the move. While they didn’t quite meet the criteria for the First Home Loan product through Kāinga Ora, they had found a pr...

CASE STUDY: Kainga Ora Working Its Magic

Getting into your first home with less than a 20% deposit can feel tricky—but with the right lender and product, it can also be totally achievable.Our client came to us looking to purchase their first home and was keen on using the Kainga Ora First Home Loan —a great option available through a select number of banks when you’ve got under a 20% deposit. With a bit of research and the right approach, we were able to get them not just an approval, but a lending structure that was affordable l...

CASE STUDY: One Has Used KiwiSaver and The Other Hasn't

Buying a home is exciting—especially when it marks the first home for one partner and a fresh start for the other. But when there’s also a property on the market, a flexible lending approach becomes essential.This couple came to us ready to buy a home together in Te Awamutu. It would be a new home for one and the first step onto the property ladder for the other. Their plan was to sell the existing property, which was already listed. One had also used their KiwiSaver investment already, and ...

Discharging a mortgage

We often work with clients who have multiple properties or who are restructuring their portfolios. One tool that can be incredibly useful in these situations is something called a discharge of security—or, more simply, discharging a property.This is a term you might not have come across before, but it can offer a lot of flexibility and freedom if used correctly....

How much does a mortgage adviser cost

One of the most common questions we’re asked is, “How much do you charge?” The great news is that working with us won’t cost you a cent. That’s because we’re paid by the bank once a loan is approved and settled—meaning you get the benefit of great advice and support, without having to foot the bill yourself....

Is it a good time to sell?

We’re often asked whether it’s the right time to sell a property. The answer isn’t always straightforward—but it usually comes down to one key factor: your next move....

Using Equity to Get An Investment Property

A lot of the first-home buyers we helped a few years ago are now coming back to chat about what’s next—specifically, how to use the equity in their current home to buy an investment property. And the good news? It’s simpler than you might think once you understand how equity works....

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....

CASE STUDY: Restructuring lending to save

Sometimes 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 structure to back it up....