Spring is traditionally seen as the best time to sell a property, with the warmer weather said to bring out home buyers, fuelling competition and driving up house prices. Whether or not there’s any truth to this, the fact is, homes are sold all year round and there are several advantages to selling in winter. We outline what some of these are and share tips to help make your home sale-worthy during the colder weather. Read more…
When buying your first home, it’s easy to get swept up in a whirlwind of excitement and make mistakes that could end up costing you later on. Even if you’ve done your research and have a good understanding of the property market, there’s a lot to take in and to think about. Here are 5 first home buyer mistakes to avoid. 1. Not getting pre-approvalMany first home buyers make the mistake of going to open Read more…
When it comes to applying for a home loan, not everyone ticks the boxes with a lengthy permanent employment, more than 20 per cent deposit, and an impeccable credit history. But that doesn’t mean you have to miss out. Fortunately there are a range of lenders who will still consider applications even if you’re not the ideal borrower. Read on to find out what to do if the bank says no. Why was my home Read more…
A collection of crafts, cooking and gestures, specially for Mum. Mother’s Day in social isolation is not ideal, but there are still so many ways you can show your appreciation for the wonderful mum in your life. Download my 30-page activity book today! Our Mother’s Day activity book features: Arts and crafts Letters and poems Treats and recipes Pampering and relaxation ideas Favours and coupons No matter how you spend it, we hope you have a Read more…
The Reserve Bank has today decided to remove mortgage loan-to-value ratio (LVR) restrictions for 12 months. The decision was made to ensure LVR restrictions didn’t have an undue impact on borrowers or lenders as part of the mortgage deferral scheme implemented in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Reserve Bank’s decision was made in line with its financial stability mandate. The Bank reached its conclusion after reviewing a Regulatory Impact Assessment and robust feedback received Read more…
There has been a lot of talk in the past few weeks about the impact of the Coronavirus (Covid-19) on global sharemarkets and understandably some nervous investors. It can be hard to figure out what it all means and how it could affect your KiwiSaver savings. Initially published on 04 March 2020 and updated on 12 March 2020 on asb.co.nzCredit ASB https://www.asb.co.nz/blog/2020/03/coronavirus-markets-and-kiwisaver.html So what has happened? Sharemarkets here and overseas have come down from highs Read more…
A home loan pre-approval gives you peace of mind when you first start house-hunting, by letting you know exactly how much money the bank is prepared to lend you. Although your pre-approval is conditional, it puts you in a position to move quickly when you find your ideal home, and it’s also an essential step if you want to bid at auctions. Here’s what you need to know about the home loan pre-approval process. What Read more…
Whether you’re a first home buyer or a seasoned investor, making a bad decision on your mortgage could end up costing you in both time and money. When it comes to a mortgage, what you don’t know CAN in fact hurt you! Knowing what pitfalls to avoid will help you make better decisions. Here are 5 mortgage mistakes to avoid. 1. Not reviewing your mortgageInterest rates are at historic lows so it makes sense to Read more…
No doubt about it: buying your first home is exciting. But it can also be incredibly stressful, which is why it’s so important to prepare yourself for the journey ahead, by doing your homework and getting advice from the right people. So that you understand all you need to know about buying your first home, we’re sharing our first home buyer tips. 1. Prepare yourselfWhen it comes to money, it’s vital you talk to the Read more…
When it comes to buying property, money is the number one thing on most people’s minds! And understandably so, as it’s likely the biggest purchase you’ll ever make. While a lot of the information you can find online is about preparing a mortgage application, it’s just as important you feel confident about what you’re signing up for once your mortgage is approved. Here are some of the practical things to think about. What is the Read more…