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Insurance isn’t always top of mind when people think about their finances. It’s not as visible as a mortgage payment or seeing your investments grow over time. But when life takes an unexpected turn, insurance can quietly become a significant part of your financial safety net. Without it, a serious health issue, accident, or loss …

Why insurance is a key part of many financial plans Read More »

When people talk about mortgages, interest rates are often a key focus. And it makes sense: the rate affects your repayments, and even small differences can add up over time. But interest rates are just one part of the picture. If you’re shopping around for a home loan or due to refix soon, here are …

Thinking beyond the rate: What else matters when choosing a mortgage? Read More »

If you’ve been watching your investment or KiwiSaver balance and noticed it’s dipped recently, you’re not alone. Market ups and downs—also known as volatility—can feel unsettling, especially when the news is full of talk about inflation, interest rates, and global uncertainty. So what’s actually going on? And what should you do (or not do) when …

Riding the ups and downs: Making sense of market volatility Read More »

The latest property data from the Real Estate Institute of New Zealand (REINZ) points to growing stability in the housing market, with more homes being sold and a lift in auction activity across the country. Sales rose 3.4% nationally in February compared to the same time last year, and jumped 59.5% from January. When Auckland …

Signs of stability emerge in property market as sales lift Read More »

Have you thought about what sort of investor you are? It can be an important part of determining an appropriate investment strategy that helps you get closer to your goals.  Here are a few things to think about to work out your profile, and what it might mean for your investing decisions. What’s an investor …

What investor type am I? Read More »

You may have come across the term ‘debt-to-income ratio’ (DTI) in property market news for recent times. As of 1 July 2024, registered banks in New Zealand will need to comply with DTI restrictions set by the Reserve Bank. So, what is it and why does it matter? Let’s delve in. What is debt-to-income ratio?  …

Debt-to-income ratio (DTI): What is it and why does it matter? Read More »

If you’re thinking about taking out new insurance policies, or updating the ones you already have, you might have wondered: Should you get professional advice, or DIY it? There are several good reasons why using the help of an adviser can make all the difference when it comes to adequately protecting you and your loved …

Insurance: Should you go with an adviser, or DIY? Read More »

Buying a house can be an exciting time.  For most people, a big part of that process is working with a lender to determine what they can borrow. Having a pre-approval can streamline the house-buying process. Here’s what you need to know. What is a pre-approval, anyway?  A written pre-approval from a lender is confirmation …

What is a home loan pre-approval, and why does it matter? Read More »

Despite being generally financially confident, many New Zealanders do not have a full understanding of how insurance can fit into their financial lives, the Financial Services Council (FSC) says.  It has been looking at New Zealanders’ “perception gap” through its “Money and You” research. That refers to the fact that, although more than 80% of …

New Zealanders may be underestimating insurance value: FSC Read More »

House sellers seem to have decided now is the time to take action, the Real Estate Institute’s latest data shows. Its statistics for February show the number of new listings coming on to the market lifted more than 60% compared to January, and 44.8% compared to a year earlier, to 11,788.   That big increase …

Sellers flock to housing market Read More »