In this blog I share my opinion on the state of the market, trends and tips you can use to improve your property investing.
Is your coffee habit adding years to your mortgage pain? It’s smooth, it’s delectable, and it might just be adding years to your mortgage. The culprit? Your daily cup of joe. A morning coffee has long been a ritual for many Kiwi’s – a ritual that used to take place...
If you had a roadmap for life, buying your first home would fall somewhere around getting married and having your first child. You spend hours upon hours researching up on the first two, so it only makes sense to do a bit of homework on this one, too. If you’re...
We thought we'd have a little fun this week and look at how much it costs the average New Zealand family to own a pet. After all, one in two households have one and very few budget for them! Let's be honest, owning a pet goes hand-in-hand with the great Kiwi dream of...
One of the biggest milestones you'll encounter on your climb up the property ladder is becoming a landlord. Which means that one big decision you'll face is whether to hire the services of a manager, or take on the responsibility yourself. I want to preface this...
Most of us roll our eyes when we start seeing shopping centers pushing Christmas merchandise in November. While it’s important not to get…
It's really important that you research the area in which you’re planning to buy an investment property. A good Investment Property Location is paramount to maximising your return and enjoying reduced transactions and stress. Some of the questions you might ask...
When it comes to paying off your mortgage, many of us are in the dark as to where we should be making significant savings. A good place to start? Cutting back your expenses The lure of small purchases here and there can bring instant satisfaction and seem low in cost...
Property owners and prospective first home buyers are increasingly in need of more guidance and education on home lending. Borrowers are uncertain Despite the stable cash rate, borrowers should still wary of any potential hike in their borrowing costs. In the post...
Here's a quick 10 tips to help with renovation and maintenance for your Investment Properties. Updating and renovating your investment property may seem daunting, but if you select wisely you can get a big bang for your buck. 1. Try to use the same colour paint in all...
Often when we receive the financials for our Investment Properties we don't take the time to look through them as thoroughly as we should. Here are 8 ways to consider that you can help you improve your Property Investment Financials: 1. Have your loan structure...
Fear can hold you back, but learning how to conquer fear is the best way to move forward. Investing in properties is the same as any other new venture in your life. There are lots of fears that once conquered will propel you forward. Here's a few tips to tackle those...
There are lots of important things to take into account when buying an Investment Property. Here's a list of our top 7 tips to help you find the perfect Investment Property: 1 # Check out the areaThe surrounding properties will affect your property value good or bad,...
It's an unfortunate fact of life: as you grow older, your memory is likely to fade. While you'll probably be forgiven for forgetting the odd anniversary, the stakes are much higher when it comes to keeping track of your finances. Most of us have watched on as a loved...
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...