I was always taught in relation to saving and investing that it is not the amount that counts, it’s where you put it – it’s allocation. Time is an investor’s best friend, and understanding the power of compounding interest, and other minor tricks can be the difference in turning a little into a lot. The median wage in NZ when annualized ends up being about $49,900, take away student loan payments and Kiwisaver, add rising rents, potential other debt (credit cards, HP’s, etc.), and this can be a heavy load to carry for an individual already, let alone trying to spare cash for savings and investments – which in many cases, the low risk ones such as bank savings rates aren’t even keeping up with inflation! What do you do?

Why use a broker over your bank?

This is a question that is often asked, so it seems worth covering a few points from different perspectives which may help shine some light on the differences (or opportunities) presented by working with one or the other.

From a banking perspective:
 

When you’re considering applying for a loan, it makes more sense to approach a broker than it is to approach a bank because of the sheer range of options that are available to you, due to their independence. This is only one of many benefits.

When applying for a loan...

I’ve noticed most people starting this year with a bit of optimism. However, it’s hard to say how much of that is based around fundamentals, and how much is more attributable to the amazing weather we have been having and a decent summer break.

From our side of the Finance Desk, it has actually been a busy start to the year with quite a few purchasers signing up new properties over the break, and general rhetoric has suggested that well-presented properties have been moving relatively quickly. Most banks have also been in contact saying that they are.....

 

It’s not the relaxing to 70% that some investors had been expecting however the increase from 60% to a 65% threshold will in some cases be the difference in getting another property transaction across the line. That is the big news for investors in the Financial Stability Report which was released earlier this morning.

The new government, their proposed changes to policies, and their effect on landlords/investors, what does it all mean?

The election has blown over, our political environment has been set for at least the next 3 years, and the term under Labour seems like it will be influential for property owners/investors with the fact it was such a hot topic in the campaign.

To re-cap on our previous newsletter, I am primarily focusing on the property/rental market, the economy and how this will impact us as investors.

From this perspective, the Labour party plans on the following changes, which I’ve grouped together based on.....
 

How do I get started in property investment?
 

• Learn the basic principles you need to know about property investment
• Understand how to turn your first investment property into a portfolio

Property ownership is and always will be a kiwi dream, if not, THE kiwi dream. In the current market, especially among major town centers – with Auckland in particular – affordability is more and more problematic, with property investment seeming even further out of reach – but in reality, is it?
 

Election time is less than a couple of days away and a lot has changed in the last 6 weeks with it being interesting to see if the ‘personality politics’ that worked so well for National under John Key also work with Jacinda Ardern taking the reigns over a Labour party that until that stage had managed to continue to trip over itself over the best part of the last decade. Under MMP....

Congratulations, you’re approved! What’s next?

The conditions of the loan offer are usually detailed in the offer letter itself, and can sometimes seem quite confusing, meanwhile you’re just concerned about how to access your money.....


 

Collateral is basically the backing outside of a borrowers personal guarantee which can help a borrower secure loans. It gives the financier the assurance that if the borrower defaults on the loan, the lender can repossess the collateral. For example, car loans are secured by cars, and mortgages are secured by homes......


 

The Third C, which many Kiwis are facing at the moment as the major hurdle for getting into the property market, particularly into their first home, is Capital.

Lenders will carefully consider the amount of capital a borrower puts toward a potential purchase, whether it be owner occupied, or investment. This can vary dependent on the .....