Your mortgage questions, answered

No. We are paid a commission by the lender when your loan settles. Our advice is independent of who pays us — if a lender is not the right fit, we do not recommend them, regardless of commission.

No — we are based in Lower Hutt but work with clients right across New Zealand. Phone, video and secure document upload mean your location is rarely a factor.

We adhere to strict confidentiality protocols to safeguard all client information.

Most owner-occupiers need 20%, but a portion of bank lending each quarter is allowed below that — so 10% is often possible with strong income and credit. KiwiSaver and the First Home Grant can both count toward your deposit.

Yes — if you have been contributing for at least 3 years you can usually withdraw most of your balance (leaving a minimum) toward a first home. We will walk you through eligibility and timing.

Fixed-term mortgages have set interest rates for specific periods (e.g. 1–2 years), ensuring predictable repayments. Floating-rate mortgages have variable rates that fluctuate with market conditions, affecting repayments over time.

It depends on your view of where rates are heading and how much certainty you want. Many clients split their loan across terms to balance the two. We model your specific situation rather than apply a one-size-fits-all rule.

A straightforward pre-approval is usually 3–5 business days once we have your documentation. Complex cases (self-employed, multiple properties, recent job change) take a little longer.

Yes — it usually needs about 2 years of financial statements plus recent trading. Some lenders are far more comfortable with self-employed income than others, which is part of the value we add.

When the long-term interest saving outweighs any break costs and fees, or when you want to consolidate debt, restructure, or release equity. We model the numbers both ways before you commit.

It depends on cashflow, security available, and the use of funds. Lenders look at serviceability (can you afford the repayments from operating cashflow) and at security (property, equipment, or a personal guarantee). We will give you a realistic range before you spend time on a full application.

Most SME lending in NZ requires a director guarantee. The exposure can sometimes be limited to the loan balance, and for well-established businesses with strong assets it can occasionally be avoided. We negotiate this on your behalf.

Simple chattel finance can settle in days. Cashflow facilities and commercial property typically take 2–6 weeks depending on the lender, documentation, and security being taken.

Often yes — particularly if the cause was clearly one-off (covid, supply-chain, a lost contract) and recent trading has recovered. We will know within one call which lenders will take a sensible view.

Wider range than home loans. Asset-backed lending (commercial property, equipment) prices tighter than unsecured working capital. We quote real numbers from real lenders during our first chat, not generic ranges.

Secured personal loans (e.g. against a vehicle) sit well below unsecured. Bank personal loans for strong credit currently sit in the high single digits to low teens; specialist lenders go higher. We give you the actual rate range for your situation, not a generic from rate.

Some lenders fund within 24 hours of approval. Most settle within 2–5 business days assuming the documentation is complete.

Bank personal loans typically have no early-repayment fee. Some specialist lenders do — we flag this upfront so it does not blindside you later.

Yes — we work with second-tier lenders who price for risk. We will be honest about what is realistic, and whether a year of credit repair would unlock a much sharper rate down the track.

Sometimes dealer finance includes a genuine manufacturer subsidy and beats everything else. More often the dealer rate has commission built in and a comparable bank or specialist lender is sharper. We pull both and tell you which wins for your specific deal.

Cheaper interest rate, but you will pay it off over 20+ years rather than 5 — so the total interest cost can end up worse. We model it both ways so you can decide with real numbers.

Most lenders will fund 100% of the purchase price plus on-road costs if your income supports the repayment. A deposit lowers the monthly payment and usually improves the rate offered.

Yes — a chattel mortgage is the standard structure for self-employed buyers. The asset is the security, the GST is claimable, and the interest is deductible to the business.

Most loans can be paid out at any time; you will need a payout figure from the lender. Specialist lenders sometimes charge an early-termination fee — we flag this in your quote.

Typically required: proof of income (payslips, tax returns), proof of employment, bank statements, information on other debts, and identification documents. Additional documents may be needed based on your individual circumstances.

The approval process typically takes 5 to 7 working days, though this varies based on application completeness, document gathering time, and finance provider efficiency.

Each formal application leaves a footprint, which is why we shortlist lenders BEFORE applying — so you only formally apply where you are likely to be approved.

Typically photo ID, proof of income (payslips or financials), 3 months of bank statements, and details of your deposit and any existing debts. We will give you a tailored checklist up front.