Karan Singh The Mortgage Broker

03/11/2026

Thinking of buying your first home in NZ? 🏡

Here's your complete step-by-step checklist for 2026 —
everything you need from first saving to picking up the keys 👇

✅ Step 1 — Get your finances ready
✅ Step 2 — Gather your documents
✅ Step 3 — Get pre-approved
✅ Step 4 — Start house hunting
✅ Step 5 — Make your offer
✅ Step 6 — Settlement → Keys in hand

The journey takes months, not days — but with the right plan
and the right adviser, you'll get there faster.

Save this checklist 📌 and share it with someone starting
their first home journey.

📩 DM me "FIRST HOME" and I'll help you figure out which
step to tackle first.

— Karan · NZ Mortgage Adviser
smi.co.nz

Educational only. Timelines vary. Lending criteria apply.

02/11/2026

Been turned down by the main bank because of your credit history? 😔

Your past doesn't have to end your home loan journey — but you
DO need to know what your file actually shows.

Here's what's on your NZ credit file:

📊 Your credit score (via Equifax, Centrix or illion)
❌ Any missed payments or defaults from the last 5 years

The good news? Main bank said no doesn't mean game over. 👊

Non-bank lenders look at the full picture, not just the number.
They can often work with:

✔ Past defaults (now settled)
✔ Lower credit scores
✔ Shorter clean history
✔ Unique situations main banks won't touch

I help Kiwis structure their file the right way so lenders see
the story, not just the score.

📩 DM me "CREDIT" and I'll walk you through your options.

— Karan · NZ Mortgage Adviser
smi.co.nz

Educational only. Lending criteria & T&Cs apply.

01/11/2026

Thinking of skipping the building inspection to save a few hundred
dollars? 🛑 Don't.

A proper pre-purchase building inspection in NZ typically costs:

💰 $400 – $1,200+ (depending on property size & location)

But what it can save you? Tens of thousands.

Here's what it actually covers:
🏠 Structural condition
💧 Moisture & weathertightness
🏚️ Roof condition
🔧 Visible plumbing & electrical services

👉 Golden rule — always get it done BEFORE going unconditional.

That small spend can be the difference between buying your dream
home and buying a $100K problem.

📩 DM me for a list of trusted NZ building inspectors.

— Karan · NZ Mortgage Adviser
smi.co.nz

Educational only. Inspection costs are indicative NZ ranges.
T&Cs apply.

31/10/2026

Ever wondered how much a NZ bank will actually lend you? 🏡

Here's the simple rule you need to know 👇

💡 Owner-occupier DTI cap: 6× your annual income
💡 Investor cap: 7× your annual income
💡 Kāinga Ora loans + new builds — exempt from DTI

So before you even start house-hunting, you can estimate your
borrowing power in seconds:

Your gross annual income × 6 = Your approx. borrowing limit

But that's just the starting number — banks also stress-test
your affordability, check your expenses, debts and credit file
before making a final call.

👉 Want YOUR real number — not just the formula?

📩 DM me "BORROW" and I'll run your actual borrowing power
based on your situation.

— Karan · NZ Mortgage Adviser
smi.co.nz

Educational only. Lending criteria & T&Cs apply.

30/10/2026

Self-employed in NZ and wondering if the bank will say yes? 🇳🇿

Here's what lenders actually ask for first:

📂 Last 2 years' IR3 + full accounts
🏦 3 months tidy personal + business bank statements
📊 No accountant? GST returns + 6+ months statements work too

👉 Shorter trading history? A non-bank lender may still say yes.

I help self-employed Kiwis structure their file the right way — so banks see the real income story, not just the tax return.

📩 DM me "SELF-EMPLOYED" to run your situation.

— Karan · NZ Mortgage Adviser

Educational only. Lending criteria & T&Cs apply.

28/10/2026

🏡 OCR Holds at 2.75% — What Does This Mean for Your Mortgage?

The Reserve Bank of New Zealand has kept the Official Cash Rate (OCR) unchanged at 2.75% in its announcement today, 28 October 2026.

While inflation remains a consideration, the decision to hold the OCR gives home buyers and homeowners another reason to review their mortgage plans carefully.

💰 First-home buyers
With more properties to choose from in many areas, buyers may have opportunities to negotiate. Start by understanding your borrowing capacity, deposit requirements and affordable repayments.

🔑 Refixing your mortgage?
An unchanged OCR doesn’t guarantee that mortgage rates will stay the same. Compare your bank’s offer with other available options before making a decision.

🏦 Thinking about refinancing?
You could benefit from comparing interest rates, cashback offers, fees and loan structures. The right option depends on your circumstances and financial goals.

🏘️ Property investors
More choice in the market may present opportunities, but always assess rental income, ongoing expenses and your ability to manage higher repayments if rates increase.

The key takeaway: Don’t try to time the market based on the next OCR announcement. Focus on your financial position, understand your options and make informed decisions.

📩 Buying your first home, refixing or looking to refinance? Get in touch for a no-obligation chat about your mortgage options.



Source: Reserve Bank of New Zealand — OCR announcement, 28 October 2026.

27/10/2026

Mortgage with a non-bank lender?, Higher Interest Rates?

Looking to refinance without the Paperwork ali v pile up? 📄➡️✅

Our Short-Form Refinance Special is built for speed and simplicity:
- Maximum lending: $2.5M
- Investor LVR: up to 70% (Interest only 70% incl. fees · P&I 70% plus fees)
- Interest rate floor: 5.95%
- Lender fee: 0.25%
- Maximum loan term: 30 years
Single security limits: Auckland $2.5M · Queenstown $2.2M · Christchurch $1.85M · Hamilton, Tauranga & Wellington $1.65M. Existing limits apply elsewhere.

All you need: application form, declaration form, security property details and your latest 3 months' loan statements (plus 3 months' bank statements only if your credit score is below 700).

Refinance only. Message us or visit smi.co.nz to chat with a Star Mortgage adviser.
Lending criteria, fees and terms apply.

24/10/2026

24/10/2026