The holiday season is here and it’s the perfect time to indulge in delicious treats and time-honoured traditions. To help you celebrate in style, we’ve gathered four of our favourite festive recipes, straight from the Mortgage Express team to your kitchen! These recipes are sure to bring a little extra cheer to your Christmas and New Year celebrations. So, dust off your apron, gather your ingredients, and get ready to whip up some holiday magic with these festive favourites!

When it comes to managing your biggest asset – your home – property valuations are an essential tool for buyers and sellers alike. Property valuations help determine the accurate value of a property and can provide valuable insights when renovating or refinancing. Find out all you need to know about property valuations, including how to arrange one and when it’s the right time to do so. Plus, we’ll share tips on how to add value to your home without overspending, to ensure your property investment works harder for you.

Households across New Zealand are feeling the strain of higher living costs, with everyday expenses like mortgage repayments, rent, food and insurance becoming increasingly difficult to manage. For some, the risk of missing a mortgage repayment is a concern. If you’re struggling to stay on top of your mortgage, there are some steps you can take to ease the financial pressure and protect your home. Here are five practical tips to consider if you’re at risk of defaulting on your mortgage.

For retirees relying solely on NZ Superannuation, managing day-to-day expenses can be a real challenge. Unexpected costs often stretch budgets to the limit. A reverse mortgage could provide a financial lifeline to those nearing or entering retirement, unlocking equity in the home and freeing up extra cash when it’s needed most. However, before considering a reverse mortgage, it’s essential to understand how reverse mortgages work, along with their benefits and potential drawbacks.

Our increasing reliance on screens may be impacting our health and wellbeing. The constant flow of notifications, emails and updates can leave us feeling overwhelmed, disrupt our sleep, and decrease attention span. Taking some time out to unplug, disconnect and reconnect with ourselves and those around us could be the best gift this holiday season. If you’re not sure where to start, here are some helpful tips to recharge your body and mind with a digital detox.

KiwiSaver is an easy way to save for the future and it can also help you buy a first home. By contributing a small percentage of your salary each month, and with help from your employer and the government, you can build up a significant savings fund. But achieving your financial goals takes more than just setting and forgetting. Actively managing your KiwiSaver is essential. Whether you’re buying a first home or planning a comfortable retirement, here are 3 important things to know that can help you make the most of your KiwiSaver.

Downsizing the family home to fit a changing lifestyle may feel like a big step, but it can be incredibly rewarding. A smaller home means lower costs, less maintenance, and a chance to create a more flexible lifestyle. It’s also a great way to release equity in your existing home for investment purposes or to finance other ventures. Whether you’re downsizing to move into a smaller home or simply clearing out the clutter for a simpler lifestyle, here are three tips to help you along the way and to make the process a little easier.

Financial scams are a major concern in New Zealand, with scammers using increasingly sophisticated tactics to steal money and personal information. Between January and March 2024 alone, CERT NZ handled 1,537 incidents, totalling $6.6 million in financial loss, up a whopping 84% from the previous quarter. Find out how you can protect yourself from scammers, safeguard your finances and ensure your personal information doesn’t end up in the wrong hands with these essential tips.

Spring is the ideal time to refresh and tidy up, not just your home but your finances too. Just as decluttering your home brings a sense of order, a financial spring clean can help you regain control of your money and improve your financial wellbeing. From reviewing your budget and knowing what you owe, to checking in on your KiwiSaver and insurance cover, follow these 5 simple steps to get your finances in better shape this Spring.

Christmas may be a time for giving, celebrating and spending time with loved ones, but it can also be a stressful time when it comes to managing the budget. The added expense of gifts and food, the pressure of shopping, and the expectations of the season all make this an incredibly challenging time for many Kiwis. The good news is, you can still have a meaningful holiday season without breaking the bank! To help you get into the festive mood and to prepare for the silly season, here are 8 essential tips to help you stretch your holiday budget further.