We have all seen the Excel spreadsheets with income in one column and expenses in another column. There is nothing quite as exciting as a good old-fashioned budget. In all seriousness, while you don’t need an Excel spreadsheet (because who can actually figure out how Excel works anyway?) budgeting is important. Budgeting is especially important if you have no clue where your money is going. Let’s look at why budgeting is important if you want to purchase a home:     By creating a budget, you will know exactly how much money you can put aside for a house deposit every week/fortnight ..read more

We have all seen the Excel spreadsheets with income in one column and expenses in another column. There is nothing quite as exciting as a good old-fashioned budget. In all seriousness, while you don’t need an Excel spreadsheet (because who can actually figure out how Excel works anyway?) having a budget is important. You especially need to start budgeting if you have no clue where your money is going. Let’s look at why budgeting is important if you want to purchase a home:     By creating a budget, you will know exactly how much money you can put aside for a house deposit every week ..read more

This post is originally a chapter in our workbook (stay tuned for more information). Here, we go in depth into the importance of having a strong financial foundation when purchasing a home. While you certainly don’t need to be a millionaire to buy property, you do need to know how much money is coming in, where the money is going, how much you can afford to save, invest and so forth. You don’t want to sit in your new home and realise you can no longer buy your favourite coffee beans at the supermarket. Let’s explore budgeting, managing debt and expenses and more. Budgeting for Homeownership We ..read more

Here you’re actually getting a little sneak peak into one of the chapters in our workbook (stay tuned, it’s coming soon!). This chapter in the workbook is all about how banks look at various income sources (think bonuses, board, self-employed…), how banks assess income for mortgage eligibility and strategies for maximising your income. So, let’s get into it, shall we? How banks look at various income sources Employment income: Typically the bank will require a three-month employment history. However, there can be ways we can work around this if you have a permanent contract. Self-employmen ..read more

You have probably heard people go on and on and on about how owning property is important. You may be scratching your head thinking, yeah, that’s all good, but why? Allow us to put you out of your wonder and give you some clarity on this topic.  Owning a home is not just a financial decision; it’s the cornerstone of stability and financial wealth for you and your whānau. In fact, owning a home offers an array of benefits. Let’s explore some of them. 4 benefits of buying property Stability: One of the primary advantages of homeownership is the stability it brings. Having your own home pro ..read more

When it comes to property and owning a home, there is no shortage of myths and misconceptions. From people saying that it’s cheaper to rent than to own to others believing that if they can’t get their dream home now, why even buy a house at all. In this blog post, we’re going to debunk some of all those myths so they won’t hold you back anymore.   Myth 1: You need a 20 per cent deposit  One of the most common misconceptions when it comes to the property market is the belief that you always need a 20 per cent deposit. This does not apply to first home buyers. In fact, first home buyer ..read more

In the world of real estate, prospective homeowners and investors often find themselves pondering a critical question: “When is the right time to make a move?” For those navigating the ever-changing landscape of the New Zealand housing market, this question gains a new layer of complexity when interest rates come into play. Let’s delve into interest rates, asset prices and demand. Interest rates and asset prices: The heartbeat of any real estate market is the ebb and flow of interest rates. When rates drop, a cascade of reactions is set in motion. One of the most noticeable effects is the surg ..read more

Buying a home is one of the biggest and most significant investments most people will ever make in their lifetime. The norm is usually getting a pre-approval from the bank before you start house hunting. However, it is possible to purchase a home without a pre-approval from the bank. In the blog post, we will take a look at how you can buy a house, even if you don’t have a pre-approval. Save for a substantial deposit The first thing you need to do is to save up for a significant deposit. When you have a large deposit, it shows lenders that you have some skin in the game and that you are commit ..read more

Here are the steps involved in withdrawing your KiwiSaver to purchase your first home. First home withdrawal letter: The very first thing you need is to get your first home withdrawal letter. You can get this at any time from your provider. The first home withdrawal letter will tell you how much you have available for your first home. It’s important to mention that there always needs to be 1,000 NZD left in your KiwiSaver. It’s also important to mention that if you brought your Super home from Aussie, that can’t be used for your first home in New Zealand. First home buyer application form ..read more

Selecting the right bank is a critical decision. That’s why our first step when working with you is to discuss your financial goals and objectives. Once we have a clear picture of your objectives, we consider a range of factors to recommend the most suitable bank. These are factors we take into consideration when recommending a bank: Goals and objectives: When it comes to finances, it’s important to think long term. In our initial meeting we will ask multiple questions to get an understanding of not only what’s important now but also what’s important in the future. This will give us insights ..read more