Christie* never thought she’d own her own home at 50. After her relationship ended, she started renting. When she received a small inheritance, she took a look at her KiwiSaver balance and thought maybe there was enough for a house deposit. She began looking at...
News from our Hawke's Bay Mortgage Advisers
Separation and divorce are among life’s most emotionally and financially challenging experiences. Owning property together can make things more complex. Peter Barry, one of our Mortgage Advisers, says “Unfortunately we see this often, but we can help our clients – together or separately – work...
The excitement of finding your dream home can sometimes lead to overlooking crucial details in the paperwork. As Mortgage Adviser’s with years of experience guiding clients through home purchases, we have seen issues arise from hastily signed sale and purchase agreements. Double and triple check...
As Mortgage Adviser’s with a front-row seat to New Zealand’s housing market dynamics, we are seeing signs that our current buyers’ market may not last much longer. With interest rates lowering and lending criteria loosening, a shift to a sellers’ market may change some people’s...
When you think of winter, what pops into your mind? Snuggly jumpers, curling up by a fireplace… or struggling through a cold and battling the flu? Many of us are laid low with bugs and viruses during the cooler months, quite apart from any of...
New Year’s resolutions tend to wane, as day-to-day life gets in the way. Here are some expert tips to keep your motivation going strong. It’s that time of year again – goal-setting is in full swing. Even if you were not thinking too much about...
Looking forward to taking some well-deserved ‘me time’ over the next few weeks? Here are four easy ways to relax and recharge. Like to make the most of the holiday break, and leave behind all the stress and fatigue of the year? Here in New...
Navigating through the insurance claims process can be overwhelming. But with the right knowledge and a proactive approach, you can have a less stressful experience. Here are some helpful tips, with a friendly reminder that as your insurance advisers, we’re here to guide you at...
After the recent decreases to the Official Cash Rate (OCR), the main banks have started to reduce their interest rates, which is great news for homeowners. But although it might seem like a good idea to switch banks for that better rate, there are some...
Just over five years ago George’s son and daughter-in-law, who were living in Perth, told George they wanted to sell a 10,000 square metre property they owned at the back of Taradale, Hawke’s Bay. This piqued George’s interest and he said to his children that...
Insurance policies for your life and health are important for protecting your finances from various risks. But did you know there might be things your policy doesn’t cover? These are called exclusions, and they depend on your specific situation, like your medical history. Knowing about...
In the ever-shifting landscape of the housing market, one factor stands out as a constant influencer of financial decisions: mortgage interest rates. These rates, which have ups and downs, have a profound impact on borrowers; shaping the affordability of their homes and the costs they...
Purchasing a property is a huge milestone, whether it’s a cozy first home, a bigger place to bring up your growing family, or a commercial space for your business. However, amidst the excitement it’s crucial not to overlook a vital step in the process. The...
The challenges faced by small businesses across New Zealand in recent years has been testing. Unfortunately, the road ahead is likely to become even more challenging, with factors such as high inflation, escalating operating costs, the impact of Cyclone Gabrielle, talent shortages, and an uncertain...
One of the most substantial financial commitments you’ll ever undertake is purchasing a home and obtaining a mortgage. However, it’s crucial to recognise that it doesn’t end there. You shouldn’t simply set it and forget it. As time passes, your financial situation and goals will...
Navigating the world of personal insurance can be daunting, with an array of options available. Choosing the right type of insurance is critical to safeguard your future. In this guide we’ll break down the different types of personal insurance and why they matter. Understanding these...
Embarking on the journey to homeownership is an exciting chapter in life, and in New Zealand, securing your deposit is the first crucial step. Traditionally, having a deposit that is 20% of the property’s purchase price has been the gold standard, however, there are options...
On Saturday, the 28th of October, our beautiful backyard will again host the Cole Murray Cape Kidnappers Trail Run. This isn’t just any old trail run; it’s an off-road adventure that gives you exclusive access to epic trails across private land, set in the spectacular...
How a mortgage adviser from Mortgage Link Hawke’s Bay can make your home-buying process less daunting and more successful. Navigating the mortgage landscape can be daunting. The vast array of lender options, each with their unique criteria and offers, can make the process time-consuming and...
Discover how Judy and her team at Mortgage Link successfully navigated a complex mortgage application process for a client. When it comes to applying for a mortgage, it can be a stressful and time-consuming process. But it doesn’t always have to be. This case study...
Are you relying on ACC for your protection? As it turns out, many New Zealanders believe they will be covered by ACC in case of serious illness – which unfortunately is not the case. That’s just one of the sobering findings of a recent survey...
How artificial intelligence is revolutionising healthcare Technology – it never ceases to amaze. And as artificial intelligence (AI) applications become more and more advanced, they may soon improve access to healthcare. So, this month we looked at what’s happening in this space, to keep you...
Time for a mortgage restructure? Is your mortgage still fit for purpose? With mortgage interest rates increasing, and many borrowers’ fixed-term rates due to expire in the next few months, it’s worth looking for ways to make your home loan work better (and harder) for...
You already have a mortgage: Why use a mortgage adviser? If you think mortgage advisers are only there to help first-home buyers, you may be missing out. While mortgage advisers can be a great help to people who are navigating the property market for the...
What is ‘trauma insurance’ all about? Have you ever heard of trauma insurance? Also known as Critical Illness Cover, trauma insurance is a powerful – and sometimes misunderstood – protection tool. So here’s a summary of how it works, and how it can work for...
Mortgage rates are rising: what does it mean for you? After years of decline, mortgage rates have been increasing again of late. So, what does that mean for homeowners and first-home buyers? We’ve put together a quick guide for both. Rising mortgage rates and home...
With Covid-19 variants now in the community, New Zealand is starting to learn how to live with the virus without the risk of strict lockdowns. But as many DHBs around New Zealand scramble to catch up on the backlog of cancelled surgeries, the public health...
Planning to sell your home sooner rather than later? Perhaps you need to relocate for work, or have already found the next house of your dreams and would like to secure it before someone else snaps it up. Whatever your reason for it, here are...
Like to save money at the supermarket? Here are some common ‘tricks of the trade’, and the strategies to keep control of your spending. When money is tight or you’re saving for your family’s future, every dollar counts and that includes grocery spending. But as...
Read on for our latest update on the New Zealand property market. As was widely expected, REINZ’s April 2020 data show an unprecedented decrease in the number of properties sold across the country during lockdown: down 78.5 per cent from April 2019 (and down 82.4 per cent...
Five tips from the expert to help alleviate stress during these unprecedented times. If there’s one word that we’ve all seen a lot in recent times, it’s probably “unprecedented”. We experienced an unprecedented global pandemic. We were put in an unprecedented lockdown. Unfortunately, that’s meant...
RBNZ-enforced LVRs gone for 12 months: What difference does it make? As you’ll have heard, the Reserve Bank has lifted loan-to-value restrictions for the next 12 months. But with the rules relaxed, at least for now, what will it really mean for buyers, and for...
Winter is here again, and with it usually comes higher electricity bills. But this doesn’t mean you should choose between having a warm, healthy home and keeping more money in your pockets. What you need is to maximise your energy efficiency and get more value...
Here’s how the market performed under Alert Level 3 and Level 2, according to REINZ’s latest residential data. As widely anticipated, the property market continued to feel the impact of Covid-19 restrictions in May, but not without some signs of recovery. Here’s how the market...