Property investment in New Zealand continues to be a hot topic, despite tighter loan to value restrictions aimed at investors, and stricter lending conditions that have been put in place to ease demand and slow house price rises. Savvy investors with a growing property portfolio stand to benefit from excellent capital gains and a sound investment for future wealth. However, there are some risks and it’s important to balance these with the benefits of property investment. Here’s a brief look at some of the benefits of property investment, as well as the risks.

Buying a first home starts with saving a deposit. But for most Kiwi first home buyers, already struggling with rising rents and food costs, setting good savings habits can feel like an impossible task. To help put first home buyers in the best possible position to buy a first home, we asked some of the Mortgage Express team to share their top tips for first home buyers saving a deposit.

On December 1, 2021, the laws around lending money to consumers in New Zealand were changed. Under the new regulations, all lenders are required to follow robust processes to determine a borrower’s income and expenses, in an effort to ensure lending is both affordable and suitable. If you are considering borrowing money – whether a new loan or topping up - it’s important you know how these changes affect you and what to expect as a borrower.

Recent changes to lending laws and tighter loan-to-value restrictions (LVR) have required banks to take a more conservative approach to approving finance. These changes are impacting borrowers who no longer meet banks’ lending criteria, with many now turning to non-bank lenders as a financing option. Unlike traditional banks, non-bank lenders are not subject to LVR and tend to offer greater flexibility around low deposit lending. For borrowers struggling to get bank finance approval, non-bank lending could provide a solution.

The start of a new year is a good opportunity to look at our finances with fresh eyes, and set goals for improving our financial wellbeing during the year ahead. Being financially fit means taking control of monthly financial obligations and day to day spending. Ensuring we have enough saved up to cover any unexpected financial emergencies. And making financial plans that enable us to do the things we enjoy. Here are 5 tips to help you get financially fit in 2022.

It can be tempting to go it alone when renting out an investment property. But when things go wrong, it’s easy to see why enlisting the services of a property manager pays dividends! If you’re in the process of choosing a property manager – or you’re still debating whether to hire a property manager to take care of your rental property, here are 5 important qualities to look out for in a property manager.

When you buy a new home, there are a few extra costs that you’ll have to think about over and above your mortgage, insurance, maintenance and repairs. Often these less-obvious costs of moving home take some homeowners by surprise. Planning a moving budget is a good way of determining how much you need to spend and where you could cut costs. To help you get started, here are some of the costs to consider when buying a new home and selling your existing home.

Buying off the plan is an appealing option for many first home buyers. As well as a fixed price, homes are built to modern standards with heating and insulation, and typically require far less maintenance once completed. But buying off the plan is not without risk and there are a few potential pitfalls to look out for. Here’s an outline of some of the things to check before you buy a home off the plan.

Warmer temperatures and more sunshine hours signal the beginning of spring, and for many of us, time to spring clean. A thorough spring clean of your home has a number of health benefits. Aside from helping strengthen your immune system and avoid illnesses, cleaning and organising the space you spend most of your time in can actually boost your mood and help you focus better. Here are five ways you can benefit from spring cleaning along with tips on what tasks to prioritise.

Ongoing lockdown restrictions have meant many New Zealanders are facing serious financial hardship. Those families that are still struggling from previous lockdowns will be hardest hit, and many will be tempted to turn to easy access, high-interest debt in order to pay for day to day expenses. If you are struggling financially – unable to repay existing debt, maintain your mortgage repayments, or simply put food on the table – please reach out for help. Here are some options.