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Things to Consider When Buying a Home Through Private Sale.

Private sales, also known as a private treaty, offer a unique opportunity to buy directly from the property owner.


While this approach can potentially save you money, it also comes with its own set of challenges, especially when it comes to securing your financing.


A Non-Bank Gamechanger

I answered the phone last week with an excitable business development manager of a non-bank lender on the other end who knew that we deal a lot with property investors and who wanted to let us know their latest mortgage updates...


Thinking of Refinancing your Mortgage this Year? Here’s What You Need to Know.

As a mortgage adviser, I’ve witnessed firsthand how strategic mortgage refinancing can create significant financial opportunities for homeowners. 

With the Official Cash Rate (OCR) now at 3.75% and showing a downward trend, many people are wondering if now is the right time to refinance.


“GOING UNCONDITIONAL” on a Property: What Does It Really Mean?

Understanding the process of going unconditional on a property is an important step in the journey of home ownership or property investment. This milestone signifies your commitment to the purchase, but it also requires careful financial readiness.


Timing Your KiwiSaver Withdrawal: A Guide for First Home Buyers

As a first home buyer, you're probably aware that you can use your KiwiSaver to help with your deposit. But how do you actually get that money out in time? In this week’s update, we’ll break it down step-by-step to ensure you're not caught short when it's time to pay your deposit.


Looking To Buy Your First Investment Property? Here’s How To Get Started.

If you’re considering taking your first step into property investment, 2025 presents a unique opportunity that shouldn’t be overlooked. In this article, we’ll check out why the New Zealand property market is ripe for investment and how you can navigate this exciting journey.


“Why Paying Your Mortgage Weekly Isn’t Always Faster in New Zealand

There’s a common belief among homeowners that paying your 30-year principal and interest mortgage weekly instead of monthly will help you pay it off faster. While this idea has some merit in certain cases, the reality is that the timing of your payments alone doesn’t inherently accelerate your mortgage repayment. Let’s unpack why...


Ready to Get on the Property Ladder This Year? 10 Top Tips You Need to Know for 2025.

With first-home buyers now making up 26.1% of NZ’s property market - the highest ever recorded - 2025 could be your year to make the move.

In this week’s update, we will give you our Top 10 Tips for what's happening with mortgages and house-buying, so you’re armed with everything you need to know if you're planning to step onto the property ladder this year.


The Pre-Approval Countdown: What Happens If You Haven't Found a Property By The Time Your Pre-Approval Expires?

Depending on the bank and the purpose of your lending (i.e. owner occupied or investment property), pre-approvals for finance can have different expiry timelines.

Most pre-approvals expire after 60-90 days and that can go by fast.

This is where you really need to be proactive with your house hunting once you get your pre-approval in place. You’re not always going to purchase the first property you see, so it can be a very time consuming process.


A Step By Step Guide On How To Use KiwiSaver To Buy Your First Home.

As a first home buyer, you're probably aware that you can use your KiwiSaver to help with your deposit.

But how do you actually get that money out in time?



In this week’s update, we’ll break it down step-by-step to ensure you're not caught short when it's time to pay your deposit.


The Power of a Pre Approved Home Loan

Buying a home is a major financial commitment, and one of the first steps you should take is to get pre-approved for a mortgage. Pre-approval is a process where a lender assesses your financial situation and determines how much money they are willing to lend you for a home purchase. In this week's update, we will explore why it’s a good idea to be pre-approved before you go house shopping, and what you will need in order to secure a pre-approved home loan.


HAMMER TIME! A First Home Buyers Guide To Auctions.

As a first home buyer, attending an auction can be an overwhelming experience. With so much pressure to make the right decisions, it's easy to get caught up in the excitement and lose sight of your goals.

However, with careful planning and preparation, buying your first home at auction can be a rewarding and successful experience.


DO YOU PAY TO USE A MORTGAGE ADVISER?

When it comes to securing a home loan, many borrowers are faced with the decision of whether to approach a bank directly or enlist the services of a Mortgage Adviser.

Both options have their advantages and understanding the role of a Mortgage Adviser and the potential costs involved is essential in making an informed decision...


Mortgage Holidays: Here’s What You Need to Know Before Hitting Time-Out on Your Payments.

The number of New Zealanders transitioning from low fixed rates over the next few months is expected to create more financial pressure on households.

While seeking ways to offset this impact, taking a "mortgage holiday" may seem tempting, but in reality it should be seen as a last resort if you’re facing financial hardship...


How to Reduce Your Mortgage Payments with an Offset Facility.

As Mortgage Advisers, we often get asked by homeowners about clever ways to save money on their mortgages. One powerful tool that's gaining popularity is the Offset Facility. So in this week's update we will explore how this nifty feature can help you reduce your mortgage payments and potentially save thousands over the life of your loan.


Mortgage Break Fees Explained: Understanding the Costs of Breaking Your Fixed Rate Early.

Break fees, also referred to as early repayment adjustments, are costs charged to borrowers when they repay or adjust their loan before the end of the agreed fixed term.

Lenders impose these fees to compensate for the potential loss of interest they would have earned if the mortgage had continued as initially agreed.

Break fees commonly arise when refinancing, selling a home, or paying off a mortgage early.


REFINANCING 101: What You Need to Know Before Refinancing Your Mortgage.

Whether you're looking to reduce your monthly payments, or access your home's equity, refinancing your mortgage can help to achieve your financial goals and possibly add a bit of cash to your pocket through the many incentives banks use to attract new customers.


UPGRADING TO YOUR NEXT HOME: Should you sell before you buy?

Imagine stumbling upon your dream house, but you still own your current property.

What should you do?

Luckily, there are a couple of potential options to consider:


BANK SAID “NO”? How Non-Bank Lenders could provide a solution.

Typically people think of a Non-Bank lender or second-tier lender for those that have a bad credit history or those who are self-employed and not able to verify their income.

But as the major banks are still a bit sheepish when it comes to those borderline applications, Non-Banks are stepping in to fill the void.


THE ONE BANK TRAP: Why You Should Think Twice Before Cross-Secure Your Properties.

When it comes to investing in properties, many individuals find themselves faced with a common dilemma: should they secure multiple properties with the same bank or spread their investments across different lenders?


REFIX OR REFINANCE? IF YOUR LOW RATE IS COMING TO AN END, THEN YOU SHOULD PROBABLY LOOK MORE CLOSELY AT YOUR OPTIONS.

While refixing offers the comfort of staying with your current lender, refinancing could present opportunities for better interest rates, a more suitable loan structure and even a substantial cash back.

So if it's time to refix your home loan, you might want to stop and take a look at all the options...


How Bridging Finance Can Help You Transition Between Two Homes.

If you're thinking about buying a new home but still need to sell your old one, bridging finance can be your financial lifeline.


Mortgage Rate Update

“They should be saying they were completely and utterly wrong,” is how top economist and Infometrics Chief Economist Brad Olsen has described the Reserve Bank going from stating that there was 60% chance of a future OCR hike at their review in May to a 25-basis point cut (0.25%) on the 14th of August.


What’s The Deal With Cashback Offers?

Cashback offers are financial incentives provided by banks to attract new mortgage customers.

Essentially, when you take out a new home loan, the bank rewards you with a lump-sum payment...


LOOKING TO PURCHASE A RENTAL PROPERTY THIS YEAR? Here’s What You Need To Know.

Investing in real estate has long been a popular strategy for wealth creation here in NZ, but over the past few years there has been little to no mortgage lending in the property investor space.

This is due to the tax deductibility changes which came into effect in 2021, along with interest rate increases and strict LVR requirements.


SWITCHING UP YOUR MORTGAGE: Things You Need To Know Before Refinancing.

Refinancing a home loan means replacing your current mortgage with a new one, typically to benefit from better terms or rates.

Homeowners might consider this option for several reasons...


OCR Review: May 2024

As expected, the Official Cash Rate stayed at 5.50% when the Reserve Bank completed its latest review last Wednesday. We have just ticked over...


Calling All Developers!

In many cases we’re seeing developers complete projects with multiple properties which they intended to sell, but due to the current property market conditions they’re unable to either sell at the...


Navigating The Property Market & Economy

In our latest webinar in April, Kris and Cameron discussed several topics relating to the property market, and overall economy including...


Inflation Shock: Could we have another rate hike?

A week ago, our Reserve Bank (RBNZ) made the only call they were ever going to and kept the Official Cash Rate (OCR) at 5.5% where it has been since May last year. Accompanying it was almost no....


Some Positive News?

With all of the commentary around interest rates and potential debt-to-income restrictions in the current mortgage market, it's worth mentioning that there are a few positives for both first home buyers and also investors...


Could Lending Get Harder?

At the end of January, the Reserve Bank announced that they had launched a consultation to activate debt to income (DTI) restrictions which are based around loan affordability and....


February Interest Rate Update

By the time you are reading this the Reserve Bank will have passed its decision on the first Official Cash Rate review of 2024, and I expect that they would have made the call to....


The year in review

2023 started with a property market in the doldrums...


How will 2024 play out in the property market?

Kris writes... "I am pretty negative on the economy especially for the first half of the year and expect that many a business which relies on..."


Coalition Government Tax Changes

ARTICLE - Coalition Government Tax Changes: Matthew Gilligan looks at the changes to tax and tenancy rules announced today. In particular, GRA celebrates the reversal of the interest non-deduction rules.


Six Years of Change - Reflecting on the Rental Market

As we head towards the end of the year, it is a good chance to reflect on what has been a turbulent time over the past six years...


3 Ways to Supercharge your Property Portfolio in 2024

The end of the year 2023 is getting closer and we are talking to many clients who are looking for ways to make the most out of their current situation and achieve their financial goals in 2024.


Positive News for Property

An (in my humble opinion) much needed change of Government, an all-time classic win for the All Black’s and some great news today that the inflation monster is being tamed and rates have...


Buying a Business?

Often many people aren’t aware that at KPM we also can assist with Business Lending (buying into a business, buying an established (existing) business, or even buying something new (a franchise).


October Interest Rate Update

Last Wednesday (the 4th of October) the Reserve Bank held the official Cash Rate which is now the third time they have hit the pause button since...


Buying with Less than 20% Deposit?

Buying your first-home is difficult, but the good news is that some banks are making it a bit easier.


Keep an Eye on China

In Kris's recent blog post he discusses how China's economy can affect NZ...

If we look just at New Zealand, it appears we could be in for further interest rate increases. Immigration is continuing to be stronger than expected although a lot of Kiwi’s are also leaving these shores as well. Most economists are now...


The Imperative of Guaranteed Wordings in an Insurance Policy

Steve Munro is the Director of Risk Direct Insurance. He writes; "In light of a recent article published on Good Returns, I feel compelled to emphasise the significance of truly grasping the details of your insurance policy."