Protecting your home with Mortgage Insurance

Jul 17, 2018 10:00:00 AM

Have you ever considered what would happen if you were unable to work? How long could you continue to pay your mortgage for before your savings run out? Mortgage and Income Protection Insurance could be the solution you need. It’s an insurance designed to meet your mortgage repayments when you can’t. Read on to find out more.


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Topics: Mortgages, Home Loan, Mortgage, nz mortgage, NZ Mortgage Adviser, Home Loan Protection Plan

Home loan pre-approvals: What you need to know

Feb 19, 2018 3:05:25 PM

Having a pre-approval in place before you start house hunting has a number of benefits: As well as showing sellers and agents you’re serious about buying, it helps speed up the process when you find a home you like, which puts you in a far better negotiating position. If you are considering applying for pre-approval, take a look at our tips for a successful pre-approval application.


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Topics: Pre-approvals, Home Loan, Mortgage, new zealand real estate, nz mortgage, mortgage adviser, family home

A ban on foreign property buyers

Nov 28, 2017 12:00:14 PM

With a change in government comes a change in policy and the first of these is a ban on foreigners buying existing property in New Zealand. Just how much of an impact this will have on the New Zealand property market remains to be seen, with many experts believing only a small percentage of property buyers will be affected. Is the ban simply a political move or will it help curb rising house prices?


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Topics: Buying, Mortgage, new zealand real estate, meth testing, meth contamination, labour government, foreign buyer ban

Meth testing your rental property

Nov 14, 2017 3:33:54 PM

There’s been much discussion in the media recently around methamphetamine contamination in New Zealand. Tenants are being evicted and landlords are spending thousands of dollars decontaminating properties that test positive for “P”. While some scientists have questioned the government’s standard for meth contamination, many believe it’s vital in helping safeguard the value of properties and its tenants. Either way, as a landlord in New Zealand, it’s important you understand meth contamination.


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Topics: Buying, Mortgage, new zealand real estate, meth testing, meth contamination

Making your home loan work for you

Oct 13, 2017 1:23:08 PM

When it comes to choosing a home loan, interest rate is not the only thing to consider. Loan features – like the ability to make extra repayments, a line of credit, an off-set account, or repayment holidays – are just as important. To help you understand what features you could be offered by your lender, we’ve outlined some of the more popular options.


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Topics: Buying, LVR, Mortgage, new zealand real estate, First Home Buyer, Second Home, house sales, mortgage ready, property sales, mortgage stress, low equity margin, LEM, loan to value ratio

NZ Property Market, post-election

Oct 12, 2017 2:36:00 PM

The 2017 New Zealand election may be out of the way but its impact is still being felt in the NZ property market. Uncertainty continues to weigh in with spring sales noticeably lower than previous years. Nationwide residential property values rose for September, although a much smaller increase was recorded in the Auckland region. Read on to find out how New Zealand’s property market is expected to perform, post-election.


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Topics: Buying, LVR, Mortgage, new zealand real estate, First Home Buyer, Second Home, house sales, mortgage ready, property sales, mortgage stress, low equity margin, LEM, loan to value ratio

Low Equity Margin

Oct 9, 2017 2:36:00 PM

Changes to the Loan to Value Ratio (LVR) and an overall tightening up on low deposit lending has seen banks and lenders charge a number of additional fees to borrowers with less than a 20% deposit. One of these fees is a Low Equity Margin (LEM); a percentage added to your interest rate that remains there until your loan reduces to the 80% threshold. As a borrower, it’s important you’re clear on exactly how this fee is charged.


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Topics: Buying, LVR, Mortgage, new zealand real estate, First Home Buyer, Second Home, house sales, mortgage ready, property sales, mortgage stress, low equity margin, LEM, loan to value ratio

Managing Mortgage Stress

Oct 6, 2017 2:28:10 PM

Despite record low interest rates, more and more homeowners are struggling to meet their home loan repayments and are experiencing “mortgage stress”. Even the slightest increase in interest rates could leave these homeowners vulnerable and unable to repay their mortgage. Let’s take a look at what “mortgage stress” is and how you as a homeowner can deal with it.


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Topics: Buying, Mortgage, new zealand real estate, First Home Buyer, Second Home, house sales, mortgage ready, property sales, mortgage stress

Mortgage Traps: What to look out for

Sep 21, 2017 10:19:22 AM

Finding the right home loan isn’t as easy as it sounds. With so many mortgages on offer – each with its own conditions, terms, features and rates – it can start to feel like you’re navigating a mine field. To help you avoid a potentially costly mistake, here are some of the mortgage traps you need to look out for when choosing the right home loan.


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Topics: Buying, Mortgage, new zealand real estate, First Home Buyer, Second Home, house sales, mortgage ready, property sales, mortgage traps

Rentvesting: a property investment strategy

Sep 19, 2017 7:15:15 AM

It’s the latest buzzword in the property industry: Rentvesting. Renting where you want to live, buying where you can afford to. And it’s proving a popular option, particularly amongst younger first home buyers who are keen to invest in their future without foregoing their lifestyle. So, what are the benefits of rentvesting and is it for everyone? Read on to find out.


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Topics: Buying, Mortgage, new zealand real estate, First Home Buyer, Second Home, family trust, house sales, mortgage ready, property sales, rentvesting