As rates continue to fall we are seeing more borrowers choosing to refix for shorter time periods.

Some people who have lending that is still fixed at a higher rate for a period of time are deciding to break their mortgages early and refix at the great rates we are now seeing. This often comes at a cost as the banks will always recover the interest borrowers would have paid if they had remained fixed for the duration of their contract. Break costs vary depending on a number of factors, including length of time remaining until the end of the agreed period, the amount of the lending, the rate originally fixed for, and the prevailing rates. We routinely clarify these break costs with the banks - on behalf of clients - and then work out if there would be a benefit to breaking early and refixing.

Given that no lender will waive early repayment costs, the decision is then whether to stay with that bank, or refinance. The benefit of refinancing, in this case, is that we can look to get cashbacks from a “new” bank to help ease the transition and offset (to an extent) the break fees. Unless it works in the borrower’s favour to move, we will generally try to leave them with their current lender.

Just because we recommend the clients stay with their current bank doesn’t mean that can’t help with their mortgage. Our first introduction to lifelong clients is often simply helping them with a refix. Touching base at the time of each and every refix gives the opportunity to look at restructuring the lending as well – always with the view to making things better for the borrower.

As Mortgage Brokers/Advisers we do not work for the banks, we work for our clients and it doesn’t matter whether or not you’ve arranged your mortgage through us originally, we are happy to help with any of the 4 “R’s” in the title above – and we do it and no cost to the borrower.

Whether you know it as sustainable finance or the green economy, ethical and environmental issues are having an important impact on the New Zealand economy. As politicians and multinationals struggle to make sense of the new world, institutional investors are rapidly moving towards a more agile and greener economy. While strong growth continues to be the main objective, clever investors are increasingly looking for long-term opportunities that align with their vision for a zero-carbon future.

Once again, Christmas is just around the corner and you're probably not ready. Whether you need to buy five gifts or fifty, new product releases leave us spoilt for choice as we head into the holiday period. From household tech and lifestyle products through to media subscriptions and kids' toys, let's take a close look at the best new household products for Christmas 2019.

New Zealand property values are on the rise, with record prices seen in some parts of the country and the national median value also in new territory. Strong demand is helping to drive up property prices, as the Auckland market lifts despite a decline in sales. While national inventory and sales volumes are both down, data points towards strong conditions and renewed optimism as we head into 2020.

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