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PML Blog

What does a self-employed applicant need for a home loan?

Navigating a home loan application as a self-employed individual has its own set of challenges – but is often very do-able! Banks typically need more documentation from self-employed individuals to verify income. The starting point is usually least two years of financial statements, including 1) a balance sheet which shows the businesses financial position, and...
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Who is eligible to buy property in NZ?

The law around who can buy property in NZ is somewhat complex. Figuring out whether you are eligible to buy a house may require some legal advice. To save you some time and possibly even money, here’s a quick, simplified process to work through to self-assess whether you are able to purchase property in NZ....
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How to use Kiwisaver when buying a property

By now most of us who are earning an income will have a Kiwisaver fund (if you don’t, I suggest you speak with an investments adviser to help decide whether this is a good idea for you). Using your Kiwisaver is a popular source of deposit to buy your first home. There are a few...
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Should I request and review the LIM report?

When making an offer on a property, there are a number of conditions that can be added to the Sale & Purchase agreement to protect you as the purchaser. One of the common conditions is being subject to a “LIM report” check. The purpose of this condition is to protect the purchaser by allowing them...
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Do I need a building report?

A question that often comes up from a potential home buyer is “do I need to get a building report done?” In most cases, it’s not a requirement of the Bank. However, if they have concerns about the property (from seeing the online listing photos or other disclosures provided) they reserve the right to ask...
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What do the DTI changes mean?

Yesterday the Reserve Bank confirmed the anticipated Debt To Income (“DTI”) Ratio changes to commence from 01/07/2024. The banks have had 12 months to prepare for this and have already embedded this into their home loan application process, although have not needed to use this for decision making until now. So, what are the changes...
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Tax policies that property owners need to know in 2024

The below content below is not advice from Grant Stephens or any adviser or staff members of Personalised Mortgages. This content is provided by a qualified accountant from an external accounting firm (Bring On Monday) which has no common ownership with Personalised Mortgages Limited. The purpose of this article is information sharing only and does...
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Do I need a solicitor when making an offer?

As your mortgage adviser, I consider myself as your first line of defence when it comes to getting things set up correctly. I’ve worked with hundreds of clients of whom each have different needs and so I can help get you get started and guide you through the entire home buying process.   However, I’m...
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How much can I borrow against bare land?

Building your own home is an ideal that many of us share. Finding that perfect block of land to build your dream house on and settle down in is an incredibly exciting experience. Keep reading to see how you can make this dream a reality by borrowing against bare land.   For the most part,...
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High LVR Lending – What Changes?

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...
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What you need to know about gifted funds for your house purchase

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...
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What is usable equity?

You may have heard the term “Usable Equity” before and wondered what it means. Let’s dive in… In simple terms, it is the amount much equity you have available to be “used” – easy right? But how do I calculate this? And what can I use it for?   To calculate usable equity, we need...
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What if the bank says no?

Okay, you’ve tracked your spending, made savings, and cut corners where you can – even gone without coffee! In the end you’ve compiled quite a nice deposit. It’s a long shot, but you think you’re getting close enough that maybe, just maybe you have enough to become a first-time property owner. You fill in all...
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What changes when lending for apartments?

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...
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The latest on CCCFA and how to best prepare for a bank application.

The new Credit Contracts and Consumer Finance Act (CCCFA) came into effect on Dec 1 2021 with a vision to protect vulnerable borrowers. This has shaken up the housing market, spooking borrowers and making banks more tentative in their lending. The act has increased analysis on customer expenses, causing numerous sensationalized headlines about that extra...
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Self Employed and wanting to buy a house?

When you are self-employed, buying a house can be more challenging than it is for someone who has a steady income as an employee. The applications are scrutinised so much more closely because the profitability is usually more variable. Often being self-employed means your income varies from year-to-year. This makes you a risk. The banks...
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Parent Assisted Lending

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...
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Know your credit score

Your credit score is a number between 1 and 1,000 that indicates how likely you are to pay your bills on time. The higher the score, the better your credit rating is. If your score is low, mainstream banks can be reluctant to lend – to both individuals and businesses. Companies may be reluctant to...
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How much will my break cost be?

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...
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