For the first time in years, it’s a buyer's market in New Zealand and it’s never been a better time to buy for first home buyers. Yes, interest rates are still high, but house prices are the lowest they’ve been in years; still sitting at around 16% lower than when prices peaked in November 2021. Although the market is tough out there, sellers are motivated to sell, making it a great time for first home buyers (that’s you) looking to get a good deal on your first home.

Two weeks ago, the Reserve Bank lowered the OCR by 0.25%, bringing it down from 5.5% to 5.25% – phew! Although this change doesn’t seem like a lot, many of us were breathing a sigh of relief, taking this drop as a sign that inflation is (thankfully) more under control

Official cash rate, dovish, rate cuts, inflation. Cut to the chase please – what does this mean for me and my family? The Reserve Bank recently reviewed New Zealand’s official cash rate and decided to hold it steady at 5.5% with hints towards small rate cuts being expected as soon as the end of this year meaning we’ll start to see interest rates (thankfully) decreasing.

The current property market is looking quite bleak around the entire country. There is a more supply than demand currently, meaning that it’s a buyers market. This can be great if you’re thinking of purchasing a new house, but there may be some things that could trip you up when it comes to selling your own. In this article, we’ll discuss what the selling process involves, what the buying process involves and a top tip from our Founder and Mortgage Broker, Jeff, that might just save you from a very costly mistake and help you navigate this significant transition smoothly. Let’s get into it!

There are two main options when it comes to work within New Zealand; to work as an employee, or to work as a contractor. Each path offers a unique set of benefits and challenges that you may not have considered before. If you’re thinking of making a career change, are just entering into the workforce, or are thinking of buying a house and are wondering what sort of implications your work status may have on your lending ability, then keep reading.

If you’re wanting your new home or investment property to be easily maintained, central, and relatively affordable for a new build, you may be considering a townhouse or apartment. But what are the major differences between the two and how do I weigh these against each other to make an educated decision? In this article we’ll go through the pros and cons of owning a townhouse or apartment and how to align this purchase with your future goals – whatever they may be!

In today's fast-paced, hard-working world, the concept of passive income and how to obtain it is becoming increasingly popular. Who wouldn't want to earn money while sleeping, traveling, or spending time with loved ones? Passive income streams offer a way to build wealth without constantly trading time for money. For those of you who are thinking – “why don’t I just manage this property myself? It’ll save me money as opposed to working with a property manager, and it sounds relatively straightforward” approach with caution - there can be many hidden risks that you’ll uncover along the way, which may cost you thousands.

When you’ve just acquired an investment property, there are a couple of decisions you need to make. One is whether or not you’re going to go with a property manager or whether you’ll manage this yourself. For those of you who are thinking – “why don’t I just manage this property myself? It’ll save me money as opposed to working with a property manager, and it sounds relatively straightforward” approach with caution - there can be many hidden risks that you’ll uncover along the way, which may cost you thousands.

In this article, we’re going to break down our top 9 straightforward, easy to implement strategies that can boost your chances in the competitive world of property tenders.