Mortgage Questions? Answered.
📅 What appointment types are available?
We offer appointments in a way that suits your lifestyle—via Teams, Zoom, phone, or face-to-face. You choose what’s most convenient for you.
🏠 How much deposit do I need to buy a home in New Zealand?
Most home loans require a 20% deposit, but depending on your circumstances and the lender, options for as little as 10% (or even 5%) may be available.
💰 How much can I borrow for a mortgage?
This depends on your income, expenses, deposit size, and current lending criteria. We’ll assess your situation and give you a realistic borrowing estimate.
🔎 What is Loan-to-Value Ratio (LVR)?
LVR is the percentage of the home’s value you're borrowing. For example, if you buy a $500,000 property with a $100,000 deposit, your loan is $400,000, giving you an LVR of 80%.
📈 What is a debt-to-income (DTI) ratio, and does it affect my borrowing?
Yes—DTI measures how much you owe compared to your income. Lenders use it to assess affordability. We’ll help you understand how it impacts your options.
🔍 Do I need to tidy up my bank statements before meeting a mortgage adviser?
Not at all. It’s more helpful to see them as they are so we can accurately assess your current financial position and provide realistic advice.
🔐 Should I pay off all my debts before applying for a mortgage?
Not necessarily. Lenders look at how well you manage debt, not just whether you have it. We'll help you decide the best approach for your situation.
📉 Will applying for a mortgage affect my credit score?
One application won’t have a big impact, but multiple applications can. We’ll manage the process carefully to minimise any effect on your credit.
🤔 We’re paying rent every week, so does that mean we can afford a mortgage?
Renting proves you can manage regular payments, but homeownership comes with added costs like rates, insurance, and maintenance. We'll help assess whether a mortgage is realistically affordable.
📏 Should I choose a fixed or floating interest rate?
It depends on your goals and risk comfort. Fixed rates provide stability, while floating rates offer flexibility. We’ll help you decide what’s best for your needs.
📓 Is there a cost to use a mortgage adviser?
In most cases, no. We’re paid by the lender once your mortgage is approved. If any fees apply, we’ll be upfront with you.
❌ Can I still get a mortgage if I have a bad credit history?
Yes—it may be more challenging, but we work with a range of lenders, including those who specialise in helping borrowers with imperfect credit.
🏦 What’s the difference between using a mortgage adviser and going straight to a bank?
We work with multiple lenders, giving you access to a broader range of options than a single bank can offer. We also guide you through every step of the process.
💬 Why would I need insurance?
Insurance provides financial protection for what matters most—whether it’s supporting your family, covering income loss, or accessing timely healthcare. It’s all about what’s important to you.
⚖️ How do I make sure I’m not over- or under-insured?
There’s no one-size-fits-all solution. We tailor your insurance to fit your lifestyle and budget, and review it regularly as your circumstances change.
💼 What types of insurance can you help with?
We advise on life, health, trauma, income protection, and total and permanent disability (TPD) cover. We’ll help you select the right mix based on your goals.
📰 Do you offer free consultations?
Yes, we do. Our advice is free for both new and existing clients. We’re paid by insurance providers when a policy is put in place—and we’ll disclose that clearly along the way.
⚒️ Can I change my insurance if my situation changes?
Absolutely. Life changes—your insurance should too. We’ll review your cover regularly to ensure it stays relevant.
⚠ What if I miss a premium payment?
Missing a payment can lead to your policy being cancelled, so let us know as soon as possible. We can talk to the insurer and help keep things on track.
📝 How do I make an insurance claim?
Just contact us—we’ll guide you through the claim process and liaise with the insurer to ensure it’s handled smoothly and fairly.
⏳ Are there exclusions or waiting periods in insurance policies?
Yes, most policies have some exclusions or waiting times. We’ll explain everything clearly so there are no surprises later on.
💼 Can I have insurance with more than one provider?
Yes. We can help you coordinate your policies to avoid overlaps or gaps in your cover.
⌛ How often should I review my insurance?
We recommend reviewing your policies at least once a year or after a major life event—like a new job, home, or baby—to ensure your cover stays relevant.