You can go straight to the bank - but they’ll only ever show you their products.
A mortgage adviser works for you, comparing options across multiple lenders, structuring the loan properly, and negotiating on your behalf. For most people, it means better rates, smarter structure, and fewer costly mistakes.

Sometimes people think going direct means getting a “special deal” - but in reality, banks don’t usually reserve better rates or offers just for walk-ins.

Mortgage advisers work with banks every day, understand how each lender assesses deals, and know where there’s room to negotiate (rates, cash contributions, fee waivers, structure). In many cases, people end up with the same or better outcome - with far more clarity and support along the way.

In most cases, no.
Mortgage advisers are usually paid by the bank once your loan settles - meaning you get expert advice, strategy, and support without paying a fee.

There are some exceptions to the rule where lenders do not offer commissions (ie involving development finance). If this is the case and there are any fees in your situation, you’ll always be told upfront.

Ideally, right from the beginning (even before you have a property in mind). This way we can save you time and stress while supporting you every step of the way. However, no matter what stage of your home buying journey you’re in - even if you already have a signed sales agreement, we are here to help! Pick up the phone or book your discovery call today.

Usually just:

- A quick conversation

- Proof of income

- ID

- A rough idea of your goals

We’ll tell you exactly what’s needed - and help you gather it without stress.

Your borrowing power depends on what you earn, what you spend, your debts, dependants - and how the loan's structured.

On average banks will lend up to 6x your gross annual income.

You can also play around with our tools like our repayment calculator so see what kind of payments you can afford.

A chat with an adviser and proper assessment will tell you what you can actually borrow - so you're house-hunting with confidence and not guessing.

- Pre-approval: The bank indicates how much they’re willing to lend, subject to conditions (like finding a suitable property).

- Full approval: The loan is locked in for a specific property.

Pre-approval is your green light to start seriously looking - but it’s not the final step.

Note also that in some cases pre-approval may not be available and banks will only give full approval on a live deal (accepted conditional offer)

There’s no single “right” time - only the right time for you.
We look at your personal situation, cash flow, goals, and risk tolerance, not headlines. Sometimes waiting makes sense. Sometimes acting sooner saves you tens of thousands long-term. A quick chat can bring a lot of clarity.

We don’t just focus on getting you approved - we take the time to understand how this loan fits into your life and what you’re working towards. That means clear, jargon-free explanations, no pressure, and advice that’s based on what’s genuinely best for you.

We also offer a wrap-around approach, with guidance on mortgages, insurance, and KiwiSaver, so everything works together rather than in isolation. And our support doesn’t stop at settlement - we’re here for the long term, as your life, goals, and circumstances evolve.

Yes - and this is one of the most important times to get advice.

Re-fixing brings a great opportunity to re evaluate you loan and structure. We can give you a free mortgage review and present you with all your options moving forward so you can structure your loan in a way that's aligned with your current and future goals.

You’re not alone - and yes, we can help.
Different lenders assess self-employed income differently. Knowing which bank to approach and how to present your numbers can be the difference between a yes and a no.

Yes - there are a few common ones, but the good news is many are manageable and often covered by cashback or negotiation.

Typical costs include:

Building & LIM reports

Lawyer fees

Valuation fees

Bank application fees (sometimes waived)

Insurance (if required by the lender)

Often, cashback or lender incentives can cover some of these, and we’ll help you plan so there are no surprises.

LVR (Loan-to-Value Ratio) is the percentage of the property value you’re borrowing.
It’s a key measure lenders use to assess risk.

Example:
If a home is worth $600,000 and you borrow $480,000, your LVR is 80%.
If you borrow $540,000, your LVR is 90%.

Why LVR matters...

Lenders see higher LVR as higher risk because there’s less equity in the property. That can affect:

Which lenders you can use

Whether you need extra conditions

Your interest rate options

Whether you can get approval at all

What LVR means for you...

Lower LVR (e.g. 80% or less) usually gives you more lender options, better rates, and fewer restrictions.

Higher LVR (e.g. above 80%) can mean fewer options and sometimes higher rates or extra conditions.

Very high LVR can require a guarantor, or a specific type of lender.