If you own a house long enough you are likely going to need or want to do some work on it to keep it looking good. For small things you should be able to pay in cash, and ideally you should also save for larger renovations, but often if its going to be expensive, the only option is to increase your mortgage.
Read MoreWe often get asked what the difference is between us and the bank, why should the client not go directly to the bank? It’s a good question and I think it’s important that all advisers are able to articulate their point of difference.
Read MoreIt’s tempting as the weather gets worse to go on a holiday to somewhere warm. But for many of us, this ends up being on the card rather than in cash.
Read MoreIAG (Not AIG, a very different company), the parent company of State, AMI and NZI has announced they are not offering new contents cover in Wellington anymore.
Read MoreBudgeting sucks, you are basically agreeing to not have as much fun so you can be ‘responsible’. In the long run you know its better for you, but when has that helped.
Read MoreKiwis don’t seem to be fans of insurance, well life insurance anyway. Even though the concept is the same, kiwis tend to be open to house, car and contents cover than life cover. I think it has something to do with being able to touch the car and visualise it being damaged than being able to visualise the impact of cancer.
Read MoreWhen buying a house it’s not just the deposit you need, but you also need to have money for the lawyer, and any reports you want such as the building report, valuation etc.
Read MoreIt’s a few days before Christmas and there is a good chance that you have overspent on presents, food and drink or travel etc, and it’s all building up to a headache in January.
Read MoreThe government has changed the rules on overseas buyers of property, with a view that the overseas purchasers are stopping NZers buying houses.
Read MoreGenerally its best to avoid debt, regardless of who you are borrowing from. But if we are talking about borrowing for your house deposit, getting help from family could make it easier to get a mortgage or could make it possible, where it was not before.
Read MoreA phrase being thrown around these days is “The Bank of Mum and Dad”. This refers to home buyers having Mum and Dad help out in some way.
It can be very helpful, but also has potential issues.
Read MoreHere are some more tips for first home buyers to help make it easier to get a mortgage.
Read MoreWhen it’s time to get your deposit together, 10% of the price is the minimum you need (though it could be higher depending on the property), and there are a few ways you can get this together.
Read MoreBuying your first home involves taking a lot of steps before you even make an offer on a house.
We’ve put together some tips on reducing the conditions before making an offer to make the process a little more simple.
You may have noticed a drop in your KiwiSaver balance recently and been wondering what to do about it.
Read MoreBuying your first home can be daunting, there is a lot of jargon and everyone is trying to get their cut.
Preparing for what you are doing will make the process a lot easier for you.
Read MoreKiwiSaver is a great way to build your retirement, and the longer you are in KiwiSaver the better.
Read MoreWe call this the emergency fund. It’s a source of funds, either in cash or a bank account that is only there to pay for pre-defined expenses, but otherwise ignored.
Read MoreThere are a few options for you to consider when contributing to KiwiSaver, but what is best for you?
Read MoreWhat exactly is a pre-approval, and how do you get one?
A pre-approval is an approval for finance to buy a home. Your income is signed off, your deposit, and your price range.
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