There’s a lot you can do to chip away at your home loan, beyond just making regular repayments. While working towards being mortgage-free usually means making some sacrifices – like cutting back on spending, or paying more of your income into your home loan – there are a few quick wins that aren’t quite as painful but are just as effective. Here are 5 ways to save on your home loan.

In New Zealand, redraw and offset facilities are fast becoming more popular home loan features for good reason. While mortgage interest rates are an important factor when it comes to choosing the right home loan, extra features – like a redraw or offset facility – play a big part too. These two home loan features allow you to use any extra funds you pay into your home loan while reducing the amount of interest you pay. And for diligent savers, that means significant savings. Here’s more about each of these features.

When it comes to buying a home, one of the decisions you’ll need to make is whether to buy an existing property or to build new. While many people choose an established character home, there are those who love the idea of a brand-new home. No matter which option you choose, buying a home is a big investment. So, to help you make an informed decision about the type of home you’d like to buy, here are some of the benefits of buying a new build, as well as the pitfalls to look out for.

When it comes to personal finance, there are some tried and tested principles, or rules of thumb, that are worth practicing. These well-known financial guidelines help us apply proven methods for saving, investing, buying a home and even planning for retirement. Here are five personal finance rules of thumb that could help you make quick calculations and decisions about your personal finance.

Us Kiwis love property and most of us have dreamt of owning our own little piece of Aotearoa at some point. Whether that’s a section of land in the country, a family home in the suburbs, a bach at the beach, or a stylish apartment in the city, buying a first home is a big part of our lives. It’s also a big commitment financially, so before you buy your first home, here are three things to do first.

With a fixed price contract before construction starts, lower loan-to-value ratios and deposit conditions, and a home built to high standards, it’s not surprising that buying off the plan is so attractive, especially for first home buyers. If you are considering building your own home or buying into a brand-new development, here are some things to consider when financing the construction of your new build.

Most homeowners tend to set their home loan structure and then forget about it. They fix their rates for a set period of time and take comfort in knowing how much to budget for their mortgage each month. However, interest rates change, and while it may seem easier to simply set and forget, in the long-run it could be costing you several thousands of dollars more in interest charges, simply because you haven’t refinanced. Here are 3 instances when it pays to refinance your mortgage.

With interests rates at an all-time low, the cost of servicing a mortgage has never been lower. However, rising house prices mean deposit requirements have never been higher, and therein lies the big problem for many first home buyers. For those with parents or family members who may be able to help with a deposit for a first home, here are some of the options and the key things to look out for.

Mortgage Express branded mortgage advisers are often asked the question, “Is it better to work with a mortgage adviser or go direct to my bank?” And because we know your home is quite likely your single largest purchase – and certainly your biggest financial commitment – we believe that working with a mortgage adviser may provide you with options when it comes to finding the right home loan. Here are some of the benefits to using a mortgage adviser instead of going direct to your bank.

Saving a big enough deposit to buy a first home is tough, especially when house prices rise faster than you can save. The reality is it can take several years to accumulate enough of a deposit to buy a first home. Some first home buyers have found ways to get in early – with a family guarantee or a loan from family members – but for others it’s going to take some serious saving. If you are just starting out with dreams of a first home in the years ahead, here are some ways you can start saving for a first home deposit.