In this blog I share my opinion on the state of the market, trends and tips you can use to improve your property investing.
Every year thousands of Kiwi families flush their hard earned dollars down the gurgler because they put off the simple act of refinancing their mortgage. If you're overdue, rest assured that it's much easier than you may think! While there are no hard rules about...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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 -...