Shows
That Home Loan HubMortgage Chess: How to Position Yourself for the Coming Rate DropsWhispers about interest rate drops are turning into roars, and your mortgage strategy needs immediate attention. While the Reserve Bank currently holds steady, economists are predicting another OCR cut as inflation softens and unemployment ticks up slightly. Forward-thinking banks have already begun trimming long-term fixed rates, signaling the shifts to come.The choices you make now could significantly impact your finances for years. Fix your loan today for too long, and you might miss the window to secure better rates when cuts arrive. Currently house hunting? Your affordability could dramatically improve once rates drop. Rolling off a...2025-07-1004 minThat Home Loan HubNew Zealand Property: Signs of Stability After the DownturnThe tide is turning in New Zealand's property market. After months of declining values and market uncertainty, we're seeing the first consistent signs of recovery with house prices increasing 0.2% in June, contributing to a 0.6% rise since January. While these numbers might seem modest, they represent a significant shift in market direction that buyers, sellers, and investors need to understand.What's driving this change? A perfect storm of factors is creating newfound stability. Interest rates appear to have peaked, with OCR cuts anticipated later this year. Banks are responding by becoming more competitive and relaxing lending criteria, including...2025-07-0905 minThat Home Loan HubBreaking Financial Barriers at KFCWhat could you achieve if you ignored the naysayers and simply put in the hours? Carl Mitter's financial journey shatters every preconception about what's possible for someone working at KFC.Growing up with a single mother on benefits, Carl witnessed firsthand the anxiety of running out of food before the next payment arrived. Rather than accepting this as his destiny, he transformed this financial trauma into fierce determination. At 23, while his friends were partying at Palmy's nightclubs, Carl was picking up extra shifts, working public holidays, and taking on second jobs—all to fund his first property pu...2025-07-0839 minThat Home Loan HubFrom Claims Experience to Client Protection: A New Insurance Expert Joins the TeamWhen life throws its worst at you, what financial safety net do you have? Rebecca Watts, our newly appointed risk insurance specialist, joins the podcast to share powerful insights gained from five years as an insurance advisor and her extensive experience handling claims.The conversation explores the harsh reality many families face when serious illness or death strikes without proper financial protection. Rebecca shares a compelling story about a couple who both received trauma payouts while raising three young children—the wife's payout enabled them to purchase a home for stability during treatment, while the husband's covered cr...2025-07-0742 minThat Home Loan HubFrom "Our Money" to "My Money": The Homeowner's Guide to Starting OverThe emotional and financial aftermath of separation can feel like navigating through a storm with no compass. That overwhelming shift from thinking about "our money" to suddenly handling everything solo creates sleepless nights and genuine fear about the future. Having walked this path myself, I know exactly how isolating and frightening this journey can feel.Today I'm breaking down a clear three-step approach to regaining your financial footing after separation. First, you'll need complete clarity on your current financial position—understanding your income, debts, joint accounts, and credit score before making any major decisions. Second, we explore yo...2025-07-0504 minThat Home Loan Hub5 Epic Home Loan Fails Every Kiwi Should AvoidMortgage mistakes can cost you thousands, and unfortunately, there are so many ways Kiwis keep stumbling into these financial traps. Welcome back to part two of our deep dive into the epic mortgage fails we see every day as advisors.Ever fixed your mortgage for five years only to discover you need to sell or refinance? Those break fees can be brutal. Or perhaps you've "forgotten" to mention a couple of credit cards when applying for a loan? The banks' sophisticated credit checks will find everything, and that character mark against you can be difficult to overcome...2025-07-0404 minThat Home Loan HubWhen One Door Closes: How to Rebuild Your Financial Future After SeparationThe journey through separation is rarely easy, but rebuilding your financial future afterward can be surprisingly empowering. This episode tackles the challenging intersection of separation and home ownership, offering practical guidance for those facing one of life's most difficult transitions.Financial clarity forms the foundation of recovery. We explore why honest assessment of your financial situation—gathering documents, understanding assets and debts, and outlining income and expenses—provides the knowledge needed to move forward confidently. Rather than facing this journey alone, we highlight the importance of building a support team of professionals and trusted friends who can prov...2025-07-0303 minThat Home Loan HubBreaking Free from Home Buyer's Paralysis: Your Guide to Mortgage ConfidenceFeeling overwhelmed by the home buying process? You're not alone. Mortgage anxiety affects countless potential homeowners, keeping them awake at night as they scroll through listings, crunch numbers, and second-guess their decisions.This episode dives deep into the psychology behind mortgage anxiety and provides four powerful strategies to overcome it. We start by exploring how clarity becomes your most effective tool against uncertainty. By defining your goals, non-negotiables, and nice-to-haves in writing, you create a decision-making framework that cuts through confusion and reduces stress instantly. This simple practice not only calms your mind but also prevents unnecessary...2025-07-0203 minThat Home Loan HubWhen Your Address Is a Deal-Breaker (And How to Fix It)Geographical discrimination in mortgage lending is rarely discussed, but it nearly derailed the homeownership dreams of a hardworking Greymouth couple. Their story reveals a shocking reality that many New Zealanders may face when seeking to buy in regional areas.Meet our clients: a couple in their 30s with three young children who had done everything right. They'd saved $68,000 for their deposit through KiwiSaver and personal savings. Both earned stable incomes of $55,000 in secure professions. On paper, they were ideal candidates for the Kāinga Ora first home loan scheme. Yet their application was declined by a major l...2025-07-0103 minThat Home Loan HubFirst Home Buyers Alert: Kāinga Ora Premium Doubles from July 1stBreaking news for Kiwi first home buyers! The Kāinga Ora low equity premium is more than doubling, jumping from 0.5% to 1.2% of your loan amount effective July 1st. This change significantly impacts anyone using the First Home Loan scheme with less than a 20% deposit.Let's put this in real money terms: on a typical $600,000 mortgage, you're now looking at $7,200 instead of $3,000 – that's an extra $4,200 straight out of your pocket! And if you add this to your loan balance rather than paying upfront, you'll end up paying considerably more over a 30-year mortgage term. This fee increase only aff...2025-06-3005 minThat Home Loan HubNew Construction vs Existing Properties: The Rental Investment BreakdownBuilding to rent versus buying existing stock - which strategy makes more sense for property investors? We dive deep into the compelling reasons why new builds are increasingly becoming the preferred choice for savvy rental property investors across New Zealand.The numbers tell a powerful story. New rental properties in regions like Kapiti Coast command premium weekly rents of $650-700+, creating strong cash flow potential from day one. But the advantages extend far beyond just higher rental income. We share real examples of maintenance headaches from older properties, including a recent $2,000 repair bill across several rentals in...2025-06-2506 minThat Home Loan HubInside the World of Homely: Transforming Rental Property ManagementNavigating the shifting landscape of investment property management requires more expertise than many realize. Rachael Stipkovits from Homely Property Management pulls back the curtain on an industry that impacts thousands of New Zealanders yet remains surprisingly unregulated.Rachel shares her journey from 20 years in insurance to property management, bringing a unique perspective to protecting your investment. Her background allows her to spot potential issues that many would miss, from gradual damage claims to insurance coverage limitations. We explore how Homely's approach differs from traditional property management, with their focus on quality service through limited portfolio sizes and...2025-06-2327 minThat Home Loan Hub( Repost ) Real Estate Revolution: How Karl Matakatea Built Sold on KapitiWhat happens when you throw conventional real estate wisdom out the window? Karl Matakatea's journey building Sold on Kapiti Real Estate reveals exactly that. From jumping into the ocean for property videos to eschewing traditional advertising methods, Karl's approach to real estate is anything but ordinary.In this candid conversation, Karl shares how he built a thriving business without ever having a billboard or bus back advertisement. Instead, he leveraged authentic social media content that connected with the Kapiti Coast community in meaningful ways. "People know us before we know them," Karl explains, highlighting how this approach...2025-06-2234 minThat Home Loan HubDefying the Odds: Single Dad's Journey to HomeownershipFinding your way through the complex world of home loans can feel overwhelming, especially when you're facing challenges that seem to stack the odds against you. That's precisely what happened to Jordan Richardson, a single father of two who had been told by his previous mortgage broker that his dreams of owning a family home were simply unrealistic.With only a 10% deposit and the responsibility of raising two children on his own, Jordan was discouraged and nearly gave up on homeownership altogether. "I wasn't sure if I was ever going to be able to get my own...2025-06-2112 minThat Home Loan HubBreaking Down Mortgage RefixesNavigating your mortgage refix might seem straightforward, but as we reveal in this enlightening discussion, it's actually one of the most critical financial crossroads homeowners face. Your refix period isn't merely about securing another interest rate – it's a golden opportunity to completely reassess and optimise your home loan structure.We start by clarifying exactly what happens during a refix and why staying with your current bank might not always be your best move, especially if you've been with them for more than three years. The conversation tackles that burning question on everyone's minds: "How long should I fi...2025-06-2008 minThat Home Loan HubThe Real Price of Change: Selling, Buying, and Starting FreshWhat does it really cost to sell your home and buy another? Mortgage broker James Buchanan returns to the podcast to share the eye-opening reality of his recent property journey. After living on a lifestyle block for 20 years, James and his family decided to move closer to town, unwittingly embarking on a financial adventure that would cost them $40,000 in additional expenses.The breakdown of these costs offers valuable insights for anyone considering a property move. The largest expense was the $21,000 real estate commission, followed by $5,000 in lawyer fees ($2,500 each for buying and selling). James spent $1,500 on professional...2025-06-1911 minThat Home Loan HubLife Insurance: The Conversation No One Wants (But Everyone Needs)Death isn't a comfortable topic, but financial protection for your loved ones is too important to ignore. We dive deep into why proper life insurance coverage matters and the potentially devastating consequences when families are left without it.What struck us most during our conversation was the contradiction many people live with - they'll insure their phones, cars, and homes but not themselves. When you're the financial foundation for your family, this oversight can have heartbreaking consequences. We share personal stories that highlight why this protection isn't just paperwork - it's an act of love and responsibility.2025-06-1811 minThat Home Loan HubWhen Algorithms Meet Empathy: The Future of Home LoansCould artificial intelligence replace your mortgage advisor? That's the question we tackle head-on with Kunj in this thought-provoking follow-up to our previous discussion on AI's growing influence across industries.While AI technology is revolutionising the mortgage application process with faster assessments and streamlined approvals, we discover why the human element remains irreplaceable. Kunj explains how mortgage advisors provide crucial advocacy when bank algorithms reject complex applications that don't fit neatly into standard parameters. Through real-world examples, we explore how AI's black-and-white approach to affordability misses the nuanced understanding that experienced advisors bring to the table....2025-06-1706 minThat Home Loan HubRebuilding Your Financial Reputation: How Past Mistakes Affect Home BuyingYour credit score is the silent gatekeeper to homeownership dreams. In this eye-opening conversation, we share the real story of a couple with stellar jobs and good incomes who nearly lost their chance at buying their dream home—all because of a few forgotten bills from years ago.We dive deep into the common credit mistakes Kiwis make and the surprisingly long memory banks have when it comes to financial missteps. Did you know that even after your credit report shows clear, banks might still have internal records of your past defaults? That personal loan you didn't pa...2025-06-1609 minThat Home Loan HubWomen Rising: Breaking Financial BarriersEver wondered why financial decisions feel so emotionally charged, especially within relationships? Sarah Curley brings a refreshing perspective to this podcast as she shares her journey from property management to financial advice, illuminating the unique challenges women face in securing their financial futures.Sarah's personal experience navigating separation during lockdown transformed her understanding of financial empowerment. Despite her professional knowledge, she discovered firsthand the emotional complexities of financial decision-making during crisis. This revelation fuels her mission to help women find their financial voice, particularly those who traditionally take a backseat in money conversations.The conversation...2025-06-1249 minThat Home Loan HubFlying Solo: Property Ownership Without a PartnerBreaking free from one of property's biggest myths, this episode confronts the widespread belief that you need a partner to buy a home. As a mortgage advisor who's helped countless solo buyers secure their own slice of the world, I'm passionate about setting the record straight: your relationship status has zero impact on your ability to get a mortgage.The truth? Banks care about your income, deposit, credit history, and financial health—not whether you're single or coupled up. Many solo buyers actually present as stronger applicants because they maintain complete control over their spending habits with no...2025-06-1005 minThat Home Loan HubWhen Uncle Bob's BBQ Mortgage Tips Could Cost You ThousandsEver wondered if that "free" mortgage advice is actually giving you the best deal possible? It's time for some straight talk about why seemingly helpful guidance from banks, family members, and yes—even Uncle Bob at the barbecue—might be silently costing you thousands of dollars over the life of your loan.Most people don't realise there's a crucial difference between getting general information and receiving truly personalised advice. When you're only seeing options from one lender or working with someone using a limited checklist, you're essentially shopping with blinders on. You might miss out on lower inte...2025-06-0904 minThat Home Loan HubDebt Decoded: What Lenders Actually Care AboutThe myth that you need to be completely debt-free to buy a home stops countless potential homeowners from even trying. The truth? Not all debt is created equal, and understanding the difference could be your key to mortgage approval.Lenders don't just look at your income and deposit—they scrutinize every financial commitment against your borrowing capacity. That $5,000 credit card you hardly touch? Banks assume it's maxed out. Those seemingly innocent buy-now-pay-later accounts for clothes and electronics? They're chipping away at your borrowing power with every purchase.Take Ryan and Mel, who came to me wi...2025-06-0805 minThat Home Loan HubUnlocking Your KiwiSaver: The Hidden Trade-offs for First Home BuyersFacing the KiwiSaver dilemma? You're not alone. The question of whether to use your retirement savings for a first home deposit or preserve them for your golden years is perhaps the most consequential financial crossroads many Kiwis will face.As your mortgage advisor who promises honesty over comfort, I'm diving deep into this complex decision. After three years of KiwiSaver contributions, first-home buyers can withdraw almost their entire balance (minus $1,000) – often forming their only substantial deposit source. But this convenience comes with significant long-term implications.The mathematics of compound growth means withdrawing at 30 or 35 potentially sa...2025-06-0704 minThat Home Loan HubProtect Your Pre-Approval: The Secrets Banks Don't Tell YouGetting pre-approved for a home loan feels like a victory – until suddenly the bank ghosts you or that precious approval vanishes right when you find your dream property. As a mortgage advisor who's seen countless pre-approvals fall apart at the worst possible moment, I'm pulling back the curtain on what really happens behind the scenes.Pre-approval isn't the golden ticket many think it is. It's conditional, temporary, and surprisingly fragile. Like Izzy, who lost her pre-approval after accepting a better-paying job, many homebuyers make innocent mistakes that derail their homeownership journey without realizing it. The probation period in...2025-06-0605 min