Questions.

As early as possible. Many clients speak with us months or even years before they buy. Early planning helps you understand your borrowing capacity, deposit requirements, and possible lending options.

A mortgage adviser can help you understand your likely borrowing range, prepare documents, identify suitable lenders, and avoid unnecessary delays when you find a property.

A decline from one lender does not necessarily mean home ownership is not possible. Different lenders have different lending criteria and alternative options may be available.

No. Tax considerations may be discussed at a high level, but we recommend seeking advice from a qualified accountant or tax adviser for tax-specific matters.

We talk about what you are trying to do — what you want to buy, and where you want to end up. We walk through how the lending process works, and you can ask general questions about how financing actually happens.

This first conversation is not regulated financial advice. Nothing is signed and no recommendation is made at this stage — it is a general discussion about the market and the process.

It also works both ways. You find out whether we are the right fit and whether you want to take it further. Often the meeting simply gives you direction: what to do next, and what to come back with. Some people move straight ahead, others come back months later. Either is fine — the point is that you leave with a starting point rather than a guess.

Many buyers assume they need a 20% deposit, but this is not always the case. Depending on your situation and lender criteria, smaller deposits may be possible.

Yes — some lenders allow deposits as low as 5%. Lower-deposit lending usually comes with additional conditions, including higher rates and stricter servicing requirements.

Eligible first-home buyers may be able to use KiwiSaver as part of their deposit.

Potentially, yes. Some buyers receive assistance through gifted deposits, guarantees, or other family support arrangements.

A deposit can come from more than one place, and most buyers use a combination. Common sources:

• Savings — the thing to check is that you can actually access them in time
• KiwiSaver — usually available towards a first home after at least three years of membership
• Proceeds from selling another property
• Proceeds from selling other assets — a lender will often want these sold before approval, not after
• A gift from family — usually supported by a signed gift certificate
• Investments you are able to withdraw

If you are not sure whether something counts, raise it in the first meeting. It is much easier to check early than to unwind later.

It depends on income, existing debt, living expenses, deposit size, and employment type. We assess your affordability and explore lending scenarios based on your goals. The main factors are:

• Your income
• Your expenses
• Existing debt
• Dependants
• Deposit size
• Lender criteria

It is worth spending some time with the calculators on this site first, so you can see how the numbers move before we talk.

Each bank runs its own affordability model. They use different test rates, they treat rental and investment income differently, and they assess self-employed income differently again. The same application can genuinely come back approved at two very different amounts.

An adviser can work out the likely range early — before anything is submitted to a specific lender.

The servicing test rate is the interest rate a bank uses to work out whether you can afford the loan. It is not the rate you actually pay.

Banks test at a higher rate deliberately. They want to know that you could still meet the payments if rates rose, so the test builds in room for that.

The test rate moves over time, and it goes up when interest rates are high. As at August 2026 it sits close to 7% on average across lenders.

Not always. Some buyers obtain pre-approval first, while others proceed through a live deal where a specific property is assessed by the lender.

A live deal means there is a specific property under contract and a signed Sale & Purchase Agreement has been submitted to the lender for assessment.

Not always. Many clients apply for pre-approval before finding a property. Some situations require a signed Sale & Purchase Agreement depending on deposit size and lender policy.

Timeframes vary by lender and complexity. Pre-approvals typically take several business days. For live deals we generally recommend allowing at least 10 working days, and preferably 15, to leave enough time for lender assessment, legal review, valuation requirements, and inspections.

Yes, but auctions can be challenging for first-home buyers because most due diligence must be completed before auction day and the purchase is usually unconditional.

Finance approval is one of the conditions in your contract. Once every condition has been satisfied the contract goes unconditional, and from that point the bank starts preparing your loan documents.

Contracts build in a gap between going unconditional and settlement day — the day you get the keys. Depending on what was agreed, that can be two weeks or three months. It is set in your original contract, not decided afterwards.

During that period:

• The bank prepares the loan documents and sends them to your lawyer
• You complete a pre-settlement inspection — do not skip this one
• You arrange your insurance
• You give notice to your landlord and organise the move

We stay involved through this stage, so anything the bank or your lawyer needs does not land on you alone.

In most cases, no. The lender pays the adviser after settlement. Your adviser will explain how the process works and whether any conditions apply to your situation.

Beyond the deposit, allow for:

• Legal fees: approximately $1,500–$5,000+
• Building inspection: approximately $650–$1,000+
• Valuation: approximately $800–$1,300+ (if required)
• Moving costs
• Ongoing: rates, insurance, maintenance, utilities

Some lenders may offer a cashback contribution, commonly around $5,000, which can offset part of this.

For mortgage advisory clients, financial planning is included in the foundation session. For other clients, coaching is $250 NZD per hour. If you book multiple sessions in advance, a discount applies.

No. We do not act as buyer's agents or real estate agents. Our role is to analyse opportunities and assess their financial implications.

Yes. We can analyse existing properties, lending structures, cashflow, equity positions, and future opportunities.

Yes. Many clients use Property Investment Analysis alongside mortgage advice to better understand both the investment opportunity and the most effective lending structure.

Yes. The analysis can be completed for a single property, multiple properties, or a future portfolio strategy.

Yes — many lenders work with self-employed clients and contractors. Most require two years of financial history, though some consider shorter periods depending on the situation.

Potentially. Different lenders have different lending criteria, and alternative funding options may be available depending on your circumstances.

Not necessarily. Funding may be available for both established businesses and newer ventures, depending on the business model and lender requirements.

Common uses include:

• Equipment purchases
• Vehicle purchases
• Working capital
• Business growth
• Project funding
• Refinancing existing facilities

Requirements vary depending on the lender and type of funding, but generally include business information, financial statements, and details about how the funds will be used.

No. This service focuses on funding solutions, lending structures, and support through the lending process.

For mortgage advisory clients, foundational financial planning is included in the first session. If you need to go further — a detailed, specific plan with a clear roadmap — that is a separate service.

No. Financial planning can be valuable regardless of your income level. The purpose is to help you make better decisions with the resources you have today.

Some clients benefit from a single strategy session, while others prefer ongoing support and accountability through regular reviews. We tailor the approach to your situation and goals.

Yes — many clients start planning before buying a property to clarify borrowing capacity, deposit goals, and future affordability.