Jonathan Smith - Mortgage Broker & KiwiSaver Adviser

26/04/2026

The most expensive KiwiSaver mistake.

Being in a Conservative fund in your 30s will cost you roughly $200,000 by retirement.

That's not a scare tactic. That's the math.

$100 a week contribution from age 30 to 65:
→ Conservative fund (3% real return): ~$315k
→ Growth fund (5.5% real return): ~$515k

Same contribution. Same time. Different fund. $200k difference.

Your KiwiSaver provider won't call you to suggest you switch. That's not their job.

If you haven't reviewed your fund selection in the last 12 months, it's worth 30 minutes.

26/04/2026

A lot of people think interest-only on an investment property is dangerous.

It isn't. It's a cashflow tool.

On a $700k investment loan at 6.25%:
→ Principal & Interest over 30 years: $4,310/month
→ Interest-only: $3,646/month
→ Difference: $664/month → $7,968/year of cashflow

Redirect that $7,968 into your owner-occupied mortgage and you pay your own home off faster, tax-free.

That's the whole game. Dead debt vs. productive debt.

Structure matters more than rate.

24/04/2026

When did you last pressure-test your mortgage?
Most homeowners set their mortgage once and forget about it.

Meanwhile the rate environment shifts, your income grows, your equity builds, and the bank quietly rolls you onto whatever default rate lands in your inbox.

A proper mortgage review looks at:
→ Current vs. available rates across all banks
→ Structure (fixed splits, offset, revolving credit)
→ Term optimisation vs. cashflow
→ Equity release opportunities

Most reviews we run save clients $3,000–$8,000 a year. Sometimes more.

Your mortgage is probably your largest household expense. It deserves a yearly check.

23/04/2026

You don't need a 20% deposit to buy your first home in New Zealand.

With a 5% deposit and the right structure, most first home buyers we work with are in their own home within 90 days of our first conversation.

Here's what actually matters:
→ Income stability (not size)
→ How your debt looks on paper
→ Which bank fits your profile
→ Timing on pre-approval vs. offer

The banks all say yes differently. Our job is to know which one will say yes to you — and at what price.

Book a 20-minute first home buyer chat. No cost, no obligation.

28/11/2025

Pretty cool moment — I was asked to share a few thoughts in this Stuff article about where mortgage rates are heading and the conversations people should be having with their banks right now.

If you’re wondering what all the rate changes actually mean for you, or whether it’s worth reviewing things early, have a read — and if you want to chat through your own situation, just flick me a message. Always happy to help.

Link below 👇📉🏡

Everyone wants a lower interest rate on their mortgage, but there are other ways to save money by talking to your bank.

24/11/2025

Lending Scenario.

🏡 Buy a turnkey property with just your equity — no cash required.

One of the smartest ways Kiwis grow wealth in the current market is through turnkey builds, because the lending rules are different.

✨ Use 10% usable equity as your deposit
Your existing home can often cover the full deposit — no need for extra savings.

✨ 90% bank lending
Banks are comfortable lending high LVR on turnkey because the build risk stays with the developer.

✨ No progress payments
You don’t pay anything during construction — the bank doesn't drip-feed funds to a builder like a normal construction loan.

✨ Perfect for investors + upgraders
Whether you’re creating a second income property or planning your next family home, turnkey lets you leverage equity instead of cash.

If you’re unsure how much equity you have or whether you meet the bank’s criteria, I can run a quick assessment and show you your borrowing power.

18/11/2025

Do you qualify? Let's Find Out?

🚨 ANOTHER BANK JUST DROPPED 1.5% CASHBACK — up to $30,000! 🚨
Perfect timing for Christmas. Perfect timing for your refinance.

This is one of the largest cashback offers on the market.$30,000).
First home buyers, owner-occupiers, and investors all eligible.

❗Ends 19 December
❗New lending only (Includes refinancing)
❗LVR ≤ 80% for full 1.5%
❗$5,000 cash at >80% for FHBs only

This is literally one of the biggest cashback offers in the market.

Message me to check if you qualify.

31/10/2025

First Home Buyer — Single Income

This client came to us unsure if buying on a single income was even possible. They had been working hard over the years, steadily contributing to KiwiSaver and building good saving habits. With the help of a small gift from family, they were able to pull together a solid deposit.

The Strategy:
+ Used KiwiSaver for the bulk of the deposit
+ Added a small family gift to reach the required amount
+ Secured 80% lending on their first home
+ Structured the loan to be paid off in 15 years, not 30

This wasn’t about stretching them thin — it was about building a smart repayment plan that fits their lifestyle while setting up long-term financial advantage.

The Result:
+ Now owns their first home 🏡
+ On track to save over $150,000 in future interest
+ And they have a clear pathway to buying their next property in a few years