Topics
- Accountants
- Bank Account Advice
- Bank Statement Tips
- Bitcoin
- Boarders
- Break Fees
- Budgeting Tips
- Building A Home
- Building Inspections
- Code of Compliance
- Compound Interest
- Construction
- Construction Mortgage
- Conveyancing
- Credit Cards and Lending
- Credit Limits and Lending
- Credit Reports
- Credit vs Student Loan
- Current Mortgage
- Deposit
- Deposit vs Income
- Divorce
- Financial Literacy
- Financial Preparation
- First Home Buyer
- Fixed vs Floating
- Flatmates
- Health and Finance
- Home Buyer
- Home Equity
- Home Safety
- Homeowner Tips
- Income Hurdles
- Inflation
- Interest Rates
- Joint Tenancy
- Kainga Ora First Home Loan
- KiwiSaver
- Lending Criteria
- Life Insurance Tips
- Loan Repayment Tips
- Loan-to-Value Ratio (LVR)
- Low Deposit Lending
- Member Tax Credit
- Mortgage Advice
- Mortgage Affordability
- Mortgage Application Tips
- Mortgage Budgeting Tips
- Mortgage Declined
- Mortgage Deposit Requirements
What happens if a Registered Valuation Report isn’t high enough?
A Registered Valuer’s Report is often a key part of getting a mortgage approved—especially when you’re borrowing more than 80%. But what happens if the report comes in lower than expected? In this blog, we explore the implications of a low valuation and how it affects your home-buying power.
Mortgage Deposit: Can I Take Out a Loan to Increase It?
Banks love to see savings discipline—but what if you’re just short of the deposit you need? Can you borrow the difference to hit your 10% or 20% mortgage deposit goal? We unpack whether loans, credit cards, or finance company top-ups are a smart (or even allowed) way to bridge the gap.
Should You Refinance to Another Bank for a Lower Interest Rate?
Tempted to switch banks for a slightly better mortgage rate? Here's how to weigh the potential savings against the hidden costs and effort involved in refinancing.
Preparing For Your Mortgage – Documentation
Getting a mortgage approved doesn’t have to be stressful. With the right documents prepared ahead of time, you can speed up the process and give the bank everything they need to say yes.
Mortgage Glossary: Common Terms Every Home Buyer Should Know
Understanding mortgage jargon can make your home-buying journey a whole lot easier. Here’s a glossary of the most common mortgage terms in New Zealand, explained in plain English.
Can I Buy an Investment Property?
Thinking about buying an investment property? With deposit rules, equity usage, rental yields, and income testing all in play, it can feel more complex than a game of Monopoly. Here’s a breakdown of how to know if you’re in a position to invest—and what you’ll need to get across the line.
How Do You Get a Mortgage on a Tiny Home?
Dreaming of downsizing into a tiny home but unsure how to finance it? You're not alone. Tiny homes offer an appealing lifestyle, but traditional mortgage lending hasn’t quite caught up. Here’s what you need to know about how to buy a tiny home—and the financing options available to make it happen.
2 Bank Account Tips the Banks Will Never Tell You
Two smart banking strategies to boost your mortgage options and protect your lending access—tips the banks won’t offer but mortgage advisers know well.
What Your Mortgage Application and Tinder Profile Have in Common (But Shouldn’t)
Your mortgage application isn’t the place for filters and flair—learn how to prep your finances so the bank says “yes,” and keep the Tinder content where it belongs.
How to Get a Mortgage in New Zealand: The 7-Step Process for First Home Buyers
Getting a mortgage can feel overwhelming—especially if it’s your first. This guide walks you through the 7 essential steps to secure your home loan in New Zealand.
Deposits: How much do you need to buy your first home?
Wondering how much deposit you need to buy a house in New Zealand? Here's the 2025 guide to 5%, 10%, and 20% deposit options—and how to make yourself bank-ready.
How much does a Credit Card affect your lending?
Your credit card limit—not your balance—can reduce how much a bank will lend you for a mortgage. Here’s how to fix it and borrow more.
Ready To Buy: 3 Things First Home Buyers Can Do Today
Buying your first home? Here are three practical things you can do today to prepare for your mortgage and improve your chances of approval.
How Banks Decide If You Can Afford an Investment Property
Thinking of buying an investment property? Learn how banks assess whether you can afford it—including interest rate stress testing, rental income scaling, and credit limit assumptions—and what you can do to improve your approval odds.
How Does A Student Loan Affect A Mortgage Pre-Approval?
Got a student loan? Here’s how it really affects your mortgage application—and when paying it off could help you borrow more.
How to Improve Your Credit Report in NZ: Small Steps That Make a Big Difference
Your credit report can make or break your mortgage application. Here are five practical steps you can take today to strengthen it—no financial overhaul required.
The Bank Said No Because of My Income
An income decline doesn’t mean the end of the road. Learn how banks calculate affordability—and what you can do to overcome the income hurdle when investing in property.
Declined for an Investment Property? What to Do When the Bank Says No Due to Credit History
If your mortgage application for an investment property has been declined due to your credit report, don’t panic—there are still ways forward.
How Soon Can You Reapply for a Mortgage After Being Declined?
Getting declined for a mortgage can feel disheartening, but it's far from the end of the road. Whether it was due to income, deposit, or credit history, there are plenty of strategies to turn things around—and possibly reapply much sooner than you think.
What Happens When You Buy a House in New Zealand?
Buying your first home can feel like stepping into the unknown. From pre-approval to popping the champagne on settlement day, here’s a full breakdown of what actually happens when you buy a house—minus the jargon and surprises.