2020 has been a year like no other, defined by the COVID-19 pandemic, self-isolation, and a global financial recession. And while it may have been the most challenging year ever, there’s no reason 2021 has to be the same. With a little planning and some focus, it is possible to make 2021 your best financial year yet. Take a look at these 3 ways to help you get started.

If you need to crunch your numbers in a hurry, why not start with the online calculators on the Mortgage Express website? From calculating the cost of your repayments, to how much you could save with a split loan or by making extra repayments, work it out online using these handy calculators. Here’s an outline of what each calculator does.

Many young people turn to the “Bank of Mum and Dad” to help buy a first home. By using their own home as security to guarantee part of the deposit, parents are helping their children get into a first home much sooner. If you’ve been asked to step in and act as guarantor, it’s important you understand just what it is you’re guaranteeing, and how it could impact your own financial position.

Working with a mortgage adviser not only puts you in the best possible position when it comes to applying for a home loan – particularly as a first home buyer – it also means you have access to a much greater selection of financial options, which means finding the right mortgage to fit your unique situation. But that’s not all. Read on to find out why it pays to work with a mortgage adviser when applying for a mortgage – be it owner-occupied or investment.

For most first home buyers, the biggest hurdle is saving the 20 per cent deposit that many lenders require. Trying to keep up with rising house prices while saving a big enough deposit can feel impossible! If you’ve already started saving but you’re not quite there yet, there are other deposit options available to first home buyers that could make owning a first home a reality much sooner.

Most homeowners long for the day when they’ll be mortgage-free. But that can feel a bit like a distant dream with no clear path to get there. Depending on your loan term, you could be paying back your mortgage until well past your retirement age, potentially never fully “owning” your home. If the thought of being mortgage-free appeals to you, here are 5 ways you could pay off your mortgage faster.

Lockdown in New Zealand sparked a flurry of people enquiring about writing their Will*. But it’s not just in a pandemic when an important legal Will needs serious consideration. While most people prefer not to think too much about what will happen when they pass, without a Will, your assets may be distributed according to the law of New Zealand (the Administration Act 1969), which may not be in line with your wishes. Take a look at these 5 things to consider when writing a Will.

The New Zealand property market is booming, despite economists’ doom-and-gloom predictions earlier this year. Historically low interest rates, the removal of loan-to-value restrictions, and more New Zealanders returning home from overseas because of COVID-19 has seen a growing number of first home buyers entering the market. If you’re considering applying for a mortgage at this time, here are some things you can do to prepare yourself.

Over the last month, some of New Zealand’s biggest companies have been hit by cyber-attacks. Among those targeted were the New Zealand Stock Exchange, MetService, Westpac and several large media companies. The recent spate of cyber-attacks has been attributed to a growing shift in companies working remotely because of COVID-19, and is a timely reminder of the importance of cyber-safety for anyone accessing online services.

Home loan interest rates have fallen to historic lows in 2020 and economists are predicting even lower mortgage interest rates in the months ahead in response to the economic fall-out from COVID-19. Lower interest rates mean more opportunities for both homeowners and first home buyers looking to enter the market, with more affordable repayments and the potential to get debt-free faster. If you haven’t reviewed your mortgage in a while, now’s a good time to do that.