In this blog I share my opinion on the state of the market, trends and tips you can use to improve your property investing.
Just like a Melbourne Cup winner tearing down the outside, the March 31 tax return deadline can quickly rush up on you. The good news is you still have time to get it done, but it's best to start preparing now if you haven't already. Leaving it to the last minute as...
Sticking to a financial plan – such as paying off a mortgage – can be a long journey with times of financial stress October is generally the month that people all around New Zealand and the world dedicate to improving awareness around mental health. According to...
While creating a budget isn't exactly pig-in-the-mud kind of fun, following a few simple steps can have you laughing all the way to the bank. We’ve all been there – it's the end of the month and you realise there's barely enough in the bank for groceries, let alone...
Are you thinking of waiting a while before you invest? Is that out of FEAR? More money is lost by home owners by simply putting off or procrastinating than by any…
This is something we hear from clients all the time "We will wait until our fixed loan comes off and have a review then". This response could set you back tens of thousands of $$$ if your current mortgage structure isn't personalised to you. In many cases when you...
Many people who would like to own homes have fears that prevent them from buying. Buying a home is usually the largest purchase a person ever makes so you have to take it seriously. If you're one of these people who are hesitant and have been sitting on...
Whether it’s unrequited love, or an unsuccessful home loan application, getting your heart broken is never easy. Here are five common reasons home loan applications are rejected.
At Bricks & Mortgages we are a judgement free zone and have a huge focus on education. “Our goal is to make a positive profound difference to your financial well being” Money management is not something that is taught well at any level in our education system, you...
When it comes to reviewing finances the most common excuse we hear is "We don't have time". Putting your finances on the back burner can be a very costly mistake! It can cost thousands in interest and set your financial goals back by years. You don't...
You've probably heard of The Barefoot Investor before. Pre-sales for his upcoming book have already surpassed the final instalment of the Harry Potter series in Australia. But here's why you don't have to tread down the tricky path of wealth building barefoot and all...
We all experience times in life when we just can’t wait to get our hands on that shiny new item. But as the old saying goes: good things come to those who wait.
Credit card providers love to use all kinds of incentives to get you to put that shiny piece of plastic into your wallet, ripe for usage at your weaker moments. Here's how to avoid getting snared in credit card debt. Most humans love to spend. It's a scientific fact....
Most Kiwi's grow up with the dream of buying and living in their own home. But, given the difficulty of cracking into the market in trendy locations, another option has emerged. So what is rentvesting? Put simply, rentvesting is the increasingly popular practice of...
Shopping, watching a movie, catching up on the news – there are many things that are cheaper and easier to do online these days. But obtaining a quality home loan? Well, the only time you'll want to use the internet for that is connecting with an expert. When it comes...
Back-breaking furniture, perilously narrow staircases and chipped crockery – the idea of moving house strikes fear into the hearts of most. But with careful planning it doesn’t have to be a nightmare. So you've just secured the home of your dreams? Congratulations....
You might be comfortable paying off your mortgage now, but what if things change? Here are some tips on how to avoid a mortgage stress fracture. Paying off a mortgage is one of the biggest financial challenges you and your family will ever tackle. And it isn’t easy -...
So you've found the ideal property and it's time to source finance? Here's how to play your cards right and get a great home loan deal sorted before the settlement date. Educating the kids, wedding planning, plumbing – there are some things in life that are better...
Things start out so rosy. You both like the same movies, sports teams and pistachio-flavoured gelato. Then one day you realise you manage your finances in completely different ways. Well, here's how to get on the same page. Relationships, you may have heard before,...
You know how it goes. You see that dream property you've just got to have, and then next minute, the budget is in smithereens. Well, at least that's what happens to almost a quarter of home buyers. Here's how to keep a lid on your emotions and your budget. Purchasing...
For many of us, a mortgage is something that stays around for the better part of our adult lives. Not so for Heidi Farrelly and her family. Farrelly grew up in what she describes as a poor household that struggled to make ends meet. But she can only smile when...
Whenever we think of New Year’s resolutions, we always seem to commit to improving our physical wellbeing rather than our financial wellbeing.