Interest Only Loans

Apr 18, 2018 2:00:00 AM

While interest only mortgages have come under intense scrutiny across the Tasman over the last year (2017), this type of lending can offer a viable solution for property investors looking to grow their portfolio. Read on to find out more about interest only loans, along with the benefits and risks.


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Topics: Interest Rates, Mortgages, NZ Finance, mortgage rates, Variable versus Fixed, Variable Interest Rate, Fixed Interest Rate, interest only loans

Fixed versus variable: How do you choose?

Apr 17, 2018 2:00:00 AM

Deciding between a fixed and a variable interest rate, or a combination of both, is largely a personal choice. Do you need the certainty of set monthly repayments or are you looking for a little more flexibility and a saving when interest rates drop? Each option has its own set of pros and cons. Read on to find out what these are.


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Topics: Interest Rates, Mortgages, NZ Finance, mortgage rates, Variable versus Fixed, Variable Interest Rate, Fixed Interest Rate

OCR remains unchanged at 2.5 percent

Nov 2, 2012 11:49:58 AM

The Reserve Bank left the Official Cash Rate (OCR) unchanged at 2.5 percent at it's last announcement on 25 October 2012.


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Topics: Interest Rates

Mortgage Rates May Go Lower

May 11, 2012 9:47:27 AM

Australia, last week, lowered its overnight cash rate and mortgage decreases followed. Our Reserve Bank has stated that our exchange rate is too high, our Government will not meet their fiscal targets, inflation is subdued and our unemployment is slowly rising. As we have stated previously, our Reserve Bank should decrease interest rates further, which would assist those with mortgages, as well as the export sector via a lower exchange rate. This is unlikely to ignite the housing market. A small portion of the market is active and appreciating, but this is confined to the inner Auckland suburbs. The rest of the country can only be described as stable. Christchurch is a bit of an exception. Let’s hope our Reserve Bank follows their Australian counterpart.


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Topics: Interest Rates

The Reserve Bank left the OCR unchanged at 2.5 percent

Apr 26, 2012 2:07:00 PM

The Reserve Bank today (26 April 2012) left the Official Cash Rate (OCR) unchanged at 2.5 percent.


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Topics: Interest Rates

Good Time for Home Buyers

Apr 17, 2012 9:22:11 AM

Interest rates are at lows not seen since the early 1970s. Rents, particularly in the major cities, are high and are continuing to rise. In many cases, it costs now roughly the same to own a property as it does to rent it. If your income is relatively secure, this is now the time to consider owning your own property. Mortgage rates are low, but if you are worried about them rising and making it harder to meet your repayments, it is now easy to fix them and protect yourself. Many renters complain about the quality of their accommodation. By owning, you can steadily improve your property and this may be reflected, over time, in an increase to the capital values.


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Topics: Interest Rates

Banks More Relaxed Around Residential Investment Property

Oct 26, 2011 2:19:36 PM

Have you been thinking about Expanding your Investment Property Portfolio?


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Topics: Interest Rates

Price expectations up, confidence down

Aug 19, 2011 3:06:07 PM

Despite an increasing number of people expecting house prices to rise, overall confidence in the housing market fell during the July quarter, according to the latest ASB Housing Confidence Survey.


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Topics: Interest Rates

Mortgage Rate Outlook

Aug 15, 2011 10:32:01 AM

Over the past few weeks a number of commentators have been suggesting that the Official Cash Rate (OCR) may rise as early as September and most certainly by December this year. The events of the last two weeks have certainly put a stop to any likelihood that rates will rise in the near term. Even before the recent events, we believe it was premature to talk about increasing rates. Our economy is really still in recession despite the official figures. Unemployment is still around 6%, youth unemployment is increasing at alarming rates and retailers are finding it a particularly difficult trading environment. Exporters are suffering with the high exchange rates. There is a strong argument that we should cut our rates further. Our OCR, at 2.5%, is still well above the USA, at a quarter of a percent, the UK at half a percent and the Eurozone at 1.5%. We are lower than Australia at 4.75% but they have a booming mining sector and we do not.


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Topics: Interest Rates

Lenders easing their stance

Nov 18, 2010 11:16:15 AM

Some recent softening on home loan criteria is good news for buyers


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Topics: Interest Rates