Auckland's best mortgage advice, built around you.

A mortgage broker in New Zealand compares loans across many lenders, structures your application, negotiates on your behalf and manages everything through to settlement. One conversation with us gives you access to options from multiple banks and lenders, rather than being limited to what one bank can offer.

Your borrowing power depends on your income, existing debts and credit limits, living costs, deposit and the criteria used by each lender. Lenders also test repayments at an interest rate above the advertised rate, and debt-to-income restrictions may apply. Our borrowing power calculator gives you a realistic starting point, with the final amount subject to lender assessment and approval.

A 20% deposit is the usual benchmark, but it is not your only option. Some lenders may consider applications with a 10% deposit, while eligible first-home buyers may be able to purchase with 5% through a Kāinga Ora First Home Loan. Construction loans and some newly completed homes may also be treated differently under LVR rules. LVR means loan-to-value ratio: it compares the amount you are borrowing with the property's value.

For example, borrowing $800,000 for a $1 million property gives you an 80% LVR, which means you have a 20% deposit or equity. Your options depend on both the size of your deposit and where it comes from, including savings, KiwiSaver, a gift or equity in another property.

There is no single right answer. It depends on your budget, future plans, comfort with changing repayments and need for flexibility. Fixing can provide certainty, while floating or revolving credit may allow greater repayment flexibility. For some borrowers, splitting the loan provides a balance between the two. We compare the options and repayment scenarios with you, so your structure is based on your circumstances rather than a guess about interest rates.

It depends on more than the advertised rate or cashback. We compare what your current bank can offer with suitable alternatives, taking into account rates, cash contributions, break fees, legal costs, clawback conditions, loan structure and your future plans. Once we have the full picture, we recommend the option that best fits your needs, whether that means changing banks or restructuring your lending where it is.

Timeframes vary depending on the lender, the complexity of your application and current processing times. A straightforward application may be assessed within a few business days, while others can take two weeks or longer. We prepare your application carefully before submitting it and keep you updated throughout. Pre-approvals are commonly valid for 90 days and can often be extended or renewed if you are still house-hunting.

Your bank can only assess your application against its own products and lending criteria. We compare options across our lender panel to identify lenders that may better suit your circumstances, including self-employed income, a smaller deposit or more complex lending needs. This helps avoid unsuitable applications and unnecessary credit enquiries that may affect future borrowing options. We will explain our recommendation, the available options and any costs involved before you proceed.