The National Party’s Kiwisaver HomeStart programme comes into effect 1st April 2015. We have been in contact with Housing NZ to find out more about the detail of the forthcoming changes. At this stage we are advised that the finer detail is yet to finalised. We will update our members as more information...

Working hard to save for a deposit on your first home? Here’s a few tips to help you save a little faster and get you into your first home sooner! Tip 1 – Do a budget! If you’re serious about saving, make sure you do a detailed budget – don’t be shy – you need to be...

We all hope that we will live long and happy lives, but sadly not all of us will make it to old age, which is why its important to have a will no matter what your age and especially so if you have young children. What happens if you die without a will? This is called dying intestate and your estate will...

Stress levels can run more than a little high when you’re buying your first home – but these few tips might just help keep those stress levels to a minimum! First Home Buyer Tip Number 1 – Do a real and honest budget – one that you can really live with – factor in your...

One of members Kelsey asked the following question “We’re starting to think that cross-lease might be all we can afford – but I’m interested to know what you think about how the title being cross-lease would affect the resale value?” We asked Jessie Foley – Mobile...

   We asked Authorised Financial Advisor (AFA) Gary Warner of True North Investments this question, here is Gary’s Advice;   There are a many types of KiwiSaver funds differing in their levels of volatility- typically they range from very defensive funds primarily invested in cash through...

We asked Authorised Financial Advisor Gary Warner of True North Investments this question – here’s what Gary advises;   If I was answering this question on a sheer likely investment performance basis there would be no real definitive answer as nobody can say for sure which investment-your...

Here’s this weeks view from Westpac on the question of Fixed versus Floating; Floating mortgage rates usually work out to be more expensive for borrowers than short-term fixed rates, such as the six-month rate. However, floating may still be the preferred option for those who require flexibility...

Does your bank account occasionally slip into overdraft, or do you incur dishonour fees on your account? If the answer is ‘YES’ then this might be bad news for you when it comes to applying for your home loan. First Home buyers often have less than 20% deposit. Loans with less than 20% are...

 Welcome News for First Home Buyers! At the National Party campaign launch today, PM John Key announced some new initiatives to assist more Kiwis achieve the dream of owning their first home. If National returns to lead the next government, these new measures will come into effect on 1st April 2015. Today’s...