Mortgage questions, answered clearly.

Find a starting point for the decision in front of you. Each guide explains what to compare and what to ask before you commit.

Start here · Mortgage review

Refix with your bank or refinance?

Compare your bank’s offer with switching, including rates, cash contributions, legal costs and an earlier cashback repayment.

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Mortgage reviews

My bank offered a retention rate and cashback. Should I stay or refinance?

How to compare a New Zealand bank's retention rate and cash contribution with a refinance offer.

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If I refinance, will I have to repay my bank's cashback?

Understand mortgage cash contribution repayment periods and the numbers to request before refinancing.

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Should I break my fixed mortgage to move to a lower rate?

Compare a possible fixed-rate break fee with interest savings, cashback and switching costs.

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My fixed mortgage rate is expiring. What should I do first?

A practical first step checklist for New Zealand borrowers approaching a fixed-rate expiry.

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Mortgage structure

Should I put some of my mortgage on offset instead of fixing it all?

How to think about splitting a NZ mortgage between fixed lending and an offset facility.

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First home

How much deposit do I need to buy my first home in NZ?

Understand deposit, borrowing and purchase costs for first-home buyers in New Zealand.

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Can I use KiwiSaver for my first-home deposit?

Plan the timing and lending side of using KiwiSaver for a first home in New Zealand.

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Does mortgage pre-approval mean I can make an unconditional offer?

Understand why a pre-approved borrowing amount is not the same as approval for a specific property.

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Business owners

Can I get a mortgage if I am self-employed in NZ?

Prepare business financials, tax records and a clear explanation of income for a home-loan assessment.

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Queenstown

Buying a home in Queenstown: when should I arrange my mortgage?

A practical finance sequence for Queenstown buyers, including pre-approval and property checks.

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Development finance

How do I finance a property development in Queenstown?

Site funding, construction drawdowns, equity, exit plans and the full cost of a development facility.

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Can a long settlement help fund a development site purchase?

Plan the deposit, contract conditions, lender approval, build funding and delay risk for a development purchase.

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Can I claim GST on a build intended for Airbnb in NZ?

The GST questions to resolve for a short-stay new build: registration, taxable use, private use and eventual sale.

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