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Your Guide to Building a Mortgage Strategy

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Darah Albesa
Your Guide to Building a Mortgage Strategy

A mortgage is one of the most significant expenses you’ll shell out in your lifetime. With such an enormous decision in your hands, building a mortgage strategy that will benefit all parties is essential. First, you must learn how to arrange a mortgage plan you can pay off without going over budget.

Buying a home in New Zealand requires thorough research, as does choosing a mortgage. In this article, we’ll walk you through your options.


What opportunities can first-home buyers take?

If you’re a first-home buyer in New Zealand, you may be able to acquire financial assistance from the government. If you’re a KiwiSaver member and Kāinga Ora tenant, you might be able to get the mortgage you need.


You can consider the following options:

  • First Home Grants (formerly Home Start Grant)
  • First Home Loans
  • Kāinga Whenua Loans
  • Tenant home ownership
  • KiwiBuild

You can view the Kāinga Ora website for more information regarding homeownership and mortgage lender’s criteria.


Important tips when building a mortgage strategy

Whether it’s your first or tenth time taking out a home loan, following these steps ensures you create a fool-proof mortgage strategy.


Seek pre-approval

Before shopping for your dream home, mortgage pre-approval is crucial. Pre-approval provides a better picture of how much you can borrow and can help you close a property sale. Pre-approval shows real estate agents that you are a sure buyer with the finances to support your offer.


Compare interest rates

Interest rates are one of the most vital factors to consider in your mortgage strategy. Lenders will offer different interest rates, so keep your options open and compare rates before settling. A tiny difference in interest rates can make a big difference in the long run, so take time to do your homework.


Fixed versus variable rates

Should you consider a fixed or variable interest rate? Well, it depends on your mortgage strategy. Fixed rates provide stability and security as your interest rate remains locked in for a set period, but they may also be higher than variable rates. On the other hand, variable rates can fluctuate over time but offer lower interest rates and more flexibility.


Consider the deposit

In New Zealand, most lenders will require a deposit of at least 20% of the property’s value. Some lenders may be willing to lend with a lower deposit, which may result in higher interest rates or additional fees.


Consider how much deposit you have available, as this will impact how much you can borrow and what type of mortgage you can get.


Think about the term

The mortgage term is the duration you will be paying your loan. In New Zealand, the most common mortgage term is 30 years, although getting a mortgage for a shorter or longer duration is possible.


A shorter term entails higher monthly payments with lower interest. This option is ideal if you have an additional budget and want to complete your loan payment faster. On the other hand, a longer term is equivalent to lower monthly payments but higher interest payments.

The main objective of deciding on a mortgage strategy is to ensure you can pay your home loan faster. Buying a home in NZ that you can call your own is a huge achievement. However, you can only succeed if you know what to expect, especially when taking out a mortgage. If you’re still unsure about your mortgage strategy, you can seek professionals such as mortgage brokers or financial advisors to guide you.

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Darah Albesa
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