Next home buyers / movers

You’ve done this before, but moving to your next home brings a new set of questions. Whether you’re upgrading, downsizing, or relocating, the biggest decision is often whether to buy first or sell first. We’ll help you navigate your equity, create a seamless strategy, and structure your lending to make the transition into your new place as smooth as possible.

How we can help

It can get a little stressful trying to get all your ducks in a row when you’re selling one home and buying another. As mortgage advisers working with banks every day, our job is to remove that stress. We’ll help you come up with a clear plan that works for you, whether that means securing finance to buy before you sell, or lining up your dates for a perfect settlement day. From understanding how to use your equity effectively to locking in the best possible loan structure, we manage the financial details so you can focus on the move.

Resources to get you started

Equity Calculator

Find out how much cash you could have sitting in your property to use for renovations, buying an investment or paying off higher interest loans.

Rate comparison tool (Live)

See what NZ lenders are actually offering right now. Compare rates and terms in one place. Updated hourly so you're always looking at current numbers.

Repayment Calculator

Find out what your mortgage repayments could be. Play with loan amounts, rates and terms to see what fits your budget

Free mortgage review

We will look over your current lending, help identify your goals and craft a mortgage that makes sense.

Next Home buyer FAQ's

What are my options? Should I buy first or sell first?

The classic dilemma.

Selling first is lower risk. You know exactly what you're working with. No juggling two properties.

Buying first means you can secure the right home without pressure. But you'll need bridging finance to cover both properties temporarily.

Here's what it comes down to...

Your equity position. Your risk tolerance. And how hot the market is.

Strong equity and income? Buying first might work.

Tighter budget or uncertain market? Selling first gives you clarity.

There's also a middle option: making your purchase conditional on selling your current home. Gives you time, but not every vendor will accept it.

How do I use the equity from my current home for the next one?

Your equity is simple math.

Current market value minus what you still owe. That equity becomes your deposit for the next purchase.

But here's the thing...

You can't use all of it. Banks typically let you borrow up to 80% of your property's value. So if your home is worth $800k and you owe $400k, you've got $400k in equity. But your usable equity? Around $240k.

This will help you determines your budget for the next place.

What is bridging finance and when would I need it?

Bridging finance is a short-term loan.

It covers the gap between buying your new home and selling your current one.

Basically... it lets you own both properties for a few weeks or months. Until your old place sells.

When does it make sense?

When you've found the right property but haven't sold yet. And you don't want to lose it.

The catch? You're paying interest on both mortgages during that period. And banks want to see that your current home is actively on the market.

It's not cheap. But it gives you flexibility.

Most people use it for 1-3 months. Just long enough to bridge the gap.

How much can I borrow for my next home?

It depends on a few things.

Your current income. Your expenses. The equity in your existing property. And what your new mortgage will be.

Banks also stress-test you at higher interest rates. Usually 2-3% above current rates.

So even if you can afford repayments today, they want to know you can still afford them if rates go up.

The good news? If you've been paying your mortgage consistently, you're already proving you can service debt.

Getting a clear assessment before you start looking means you know your budget. No surprises. No wasted time on properties you can't actually afford.

Hear from home owners

who chose Cooper

Testimonial Carousel
★★★★★
"Communication was Epic, Efficient and Fast!"
Couldn’t recommend Michael and the team at cooper mortgages more highly. Communication was epic, they were efficient and fast and really helped us out of a bind. Won’t be going anywhere else!
— Josh Sanford
★★★★★
"Amazing to Work With!"
Michael was amazing to work with! He guided us through the whole process and made it as easy on us to make decisions as possible. We will definitely be going to him again in the future!
— Michael Healy
★★★★★
"Smooth and Stress-Free Process"
I just want to give a huge thank you to Cooper Mortgages for making the mortgage process so smooth and stress-free. Your expertise, guidance, and responsiveness made all the difference, and I truly appreciate all the effort you put into helping us find the right solution. Highly recommend!
— Douw Van Vuuren
★★★★★
"Highest Recommendation - Made Me Feel Heard"
Cooper Mortgages comes with my highest recommendation. I found the bank difficult to work with and unwilling to see me for more than a number. Michael made me feel heard and provided clear communication and the result I was hoping for.
— Joe Youssef
★★★★★
"Lending Advice Was Simply the Best!"
In our recent Refinancing, Michael of Cooper Mortgages provided great customer service and was brilliant at communicating with us and keeping everyone in the loop at all times. He responds quickly and clearly. He works tirelessly on our behalf and is patient with us in explaiing the options and details. He looked at all alternatives and advised us of the pro's and con's of each one to ensure we had options and made the best financial decision. His lending advice was simply the best! We would highly recommend Michael as the best Mortgage Broker we have ever used or come across and we will be referring him to all our family and friends.
— Marc Fisk
★★★★★
"Outstanding Experience - Secured the Best Loan"
We had an outstanding experience working with Michael as our mortgage broker. From start to finish, he went above and beyond to secure the best possible loan for us. His professionalism, deep knowledge of the process, and constant communication made a typically stressful experience feel smooth and manageable. Michael was always available to answer our questions and took the time to explain every step, ensuring we felt confident and informed throughout. Thanks to his hard work and dedication, we secured the loan we needed — and we couldn't be more grateful. Highly recommended!
— Raghbendra Rana
★★★★★
"Hassle-Free Exchange for Investment Journey"
I brought two homes using Michael as my mortgage brooker and without a doubt, I will continue to use him in the future. Thank you Michael for a hassle free exchange and for making my investment journey easy and enjoyable 😊 definitely AAA+++
— Arihia Tito
★★★★★
"Amazed by Communication and Customer Service"
We recently worked with Micheal and were absolutely amazed by his communication and customer service with us. He provided valuable lending advice customised to our needs and guided us through the entire process. He made every little step less stressful for us and we would highly recommend him to anyone wanting to take this journey! Thank you again Michael!
— Alannah Hendren
★★★★★
"Got the Best Deal Available"
Michael was great to deal with and got the best deal available at the time for me to refix my mortgage. I was a bit hesitant of changing banks after being with Westpac for 40 years but they offered absolutely no incentive or weren’t even interested in trying get me to stay with them. Michael recommended some good rates at Kiwibank and although the savings were minimal, the lack of service from Westpac made this decision very easy. Michael answered any questions I had and made this process which I thought could be a bit overwhelming very easy and was also very easy to get in touch with which was great! Would definitely recommend getting in touch with Michael for any of your mortgage or lending requirements.
— Darren
★★★★★
"Efficient, Helpful, and Great Deal"
I really enjoyed working with Michael. He was efficient, helpful and assisted me in getting a great deal, also ensuring a smooth process. I have used Michael in the past for lending and I will definitely do this again in future. Great customer service and helpful advice and easy to deal with. 10/10 would recommend.
— Chelsea Stevens

Ready to have a conversation?

No obligation. No pressure. Just a genuine chat about what you're trying to build and whether we can help you get there.