NZ Mortgage & Property Guides

What NZ banks actually look at when calculating your borrowing power — income, debt, dependants, stress test rates — and how to get a realistic estimate before you apply.

A complete guide to the KiwiSaver first home withdrawal — who qualifies, how much you can access, what stays in the fund and how to time the application for settlement.

Setting a realistic deposit target, calculating the savings rate you need, where to keep your money and how KiwiSaver fits into the picture.

A complete breakdown of solicitor fees, LIM reports, building inspections and other upfront costs — so you know exactly how much cash you need above the deposit.

The real numbers behind repayment frequency — why weekly and fortnightly payments save tens of thousands in interest, and the one thing to check with your bank.

How to think about fixed term choices — the trade-off between rate certainty and flexibility, how to compare total cost over 2 years and when your personal situation should drive the decision.

Why break fees exist, how the bank calculates them, when they're zero and how to work out whether it makes financial sense to break your fixed term early.

How NZ banks use stress test rates to cap borrowing power, why the gap between the actual rate and test rate can be so significant, and how to run your own stress test first.

The compounding maths of extra mortgage repayments — why even small consistent overpayments save large amounts, and what to check before you start on a fixed rate loan.

Gross vs net yield explained clearly, typical yield ranges by NZ region, common mistakes investors make in the calculation and how yield interacts with your funding cost.

How home equity release works in NZ, how much you can realistically access, what lenders look at beyond the equity calculation and the smartest ways to use it.

Agent commission, marketing, legal fees, staging and mortgage discharge costs — all broken down with a worked example so you know your real net proceeds before you list.