Fancy a taste of the city life? Apartment living can be a great experience for anyone who loves the hustle and bustle of city living, or just likes the idea of only having a small space to maintain. When it comes to buying an apartment though, there are a few potential obstacles to look out...Read More

Calling Bank of Mum & Dad!   One of the most common sources of equity/deposit when it comes to buying a home is in fact your parents (or anyone who is willing to help you out).   If you’re fortunate enough to have parents who are willing and able to provide you with extra cash...Read More

As mortgage advisers, we often get asked “Can you get a mortgage while on parental leave?”   The answer can be YES but there are certain criteria you must meet and, as is often the case, it can depend on which bank you are working with.   If you are able to confirm that you...Read More

When it comes to fixing your interest rate for either a new or existing home loan, you don’t have to wait until the draw down/settlement date or the rollover date – you are able to do this in advance. This is commonly known as “rate-locking”. This can be a great option to lock in your...Read More

20% is the magic number for banks when it comes to how much deposit or equity goes into the purchase of an existing owner-occupied property. You can still buy a property to live in with less than 20% deposit, but things do get a bit trickier. When your deposit is less than 20% of the...Read More

I’m often asked “can my parents help me to get a home loan?” The good news is that the banks generally have this option available. But it depends on how exactly you are intending for them to assist you and whether you meet their lending criteria. Your parents (or other family in some cases) can...Read More

How much will my break cost be? If you want to make a full or partial payment on your home loan, you could be subject to break fees.   Most banks (but not all) have the option to pay off a small amount of your home loan without any break cost, for example 5% of...Read More

If you’re in a position to be able to make lump sum payments off your home loan balance, do you sometimes wonder whether it’s the best option even though you know reducing debt is generally a good thing? There are a few things you should weigh up: 1.      The benefit 2.      The cost 3.      The...Read More

I often get asked, “What’s the purpose of using a mortgage adviser?” The simplest answer is that: “We’re here to assist you through the entire mortgage application process. We are on your team. We help you get the job done and hopefully in the most efficient way possible!” And here’s some more info about what...Read More

Does your credit score matter? Well, yes and no… There is some misconception about how New Zealand’s credit scores work compared to the rest of the world. A common misconception is that you have to get something on credit to get a credit score, like getting a credit card or personal loan. This doesn’t necessarily...Read More