Rupert Gough 4/9/25 Rupert Gough 4/9/25

What to Do if Your KiwiSaver Drops Before Buying Your First Home

You’ve found the perfect first home, but there’s a problem—your KiwiSaver has taken a hit due to a dip in the market. Suddenly, the deposit you were relying on isn’t quite enough. Don’t panic. Here’s what to do when your KiwiSaver drops in value just as you’re about to buy, and how to protect yourself with a smart strategy moving forward.

Anne Miel 3/31/25 Anne Miel 3/31/25

What happens if a Registered Valuation Report isn’t high enough?

A Registered Valuer’s Report is often a key part of getting a mortgage approved—especially when you’re borrowing more than 80%. But what happens if the report comes in lower than expected? In this blog, we explore the implications of a low valuation and how it affects your home-buying power.

Anne Miel 3/30/25 Anne Miel 3/30/25

Mortgage Deposit: Can I Take Out a Loan to Increase It?

Banks love to see savings discipline—but what if you’re just short of the deposit you need? Can you borrow the difference to hit your 10% or 20% mortgage deposit goal? We unpack whether loans, credit cards, or finance company top-ups are a smart (or even allowed) way to bridge the gap.

Rupert Gough 3/28/25 Rupert Gough 3/28/25

Deposits: How much do you need to buy your first home?

Wondering how much deposit you need to buy a house in New Zealand? Here's the 2025 guide to 5%, 10%, and 20% deposit options—and how to make yourself bank-ready.