First Home Buyers

In a changing interest rate environment, like the one we’re in right now, the question of how long to fix your mortgage can feel like a tricky one to get right. Squirrel's John Bolton explains …

Do you really need to use a mortgage broker? If you're after a home loan, it's a valid question. For when it comes to mortgages, there's really only one thing most of us care about: …

What does buying off the plan mean? Buying a property off the plan means buying a property that has yet to be constructed, such as an apartment in a complex that’s yet to be built or …

1. Build to your section The key to good home design is to build to the section, not the other way around. You should design or choose a house plan that is going to make the …

What is a mortgagee sale? A mortgage is a home loan secured against a property. If the borrower fails to make their mortgage repayments, the lender can sell the property to recover the money they are …

Loan-t0-value ratios (LVRs) were first introduced in 2013 in an attempt to cool the overheated property market. Over the years, they've been amended a few times. They were removed entirely in response to the economic impact …

In an attempt to further strengthen financial stability in New Zealand, the Reserve Bank of New Zealand (RBNZ) has introduced new debt-to-income (DTI) restrictions on banks' mortgage lending. But what are DTI ratios and how will …

It’s been a tough few years for first home buyers (FHBs). First, house prices soared, due to pandemic-induced low interest rates. Then, as a consequence of rising inflation, mortgage rates more than doubled. In August 2021, …