Anthony Zonneveld - Mortgage A to Z

01/11/2026

29/10/2026

Most people think of a mortgage as a single loan with one fixed term.

However, you can split your mortgage into separate portions with different fixed terms. You might even elect to keep a portion on a floating rate.

This means your entire mortgage won’t necessarily come off its fixed rate at the same time. But it can help spread your exposure to future rate changes and give you more flexibility.

That doesn’t mean splitting your mortgage is automatically the right option. More loan portions can mean more repayments, rates and expiry dates to manage.

The right structure depends on your cash flow, plans and how much flexibility you need.

If you’d like me to explain the different structures and help you compare your options, get in touch.

📞 022 046 9339
🌐 maz.co.nz

28/10/2026

You need to know this before you list a property for sale.

First-home buyers make up a significant portion of the market at the moment. A lot of these buyers have a low deposit.

Auctions can be more costly for low-deposit buyers to get approved for, as they may need to pay for a registered valuation before they can bid.

I had one client who was pre-approved up to $660,000. He didn’t want to pay for a valuation before an auction, so he only attended in the hope that the property would be passed in.

He was prepared to go to $660,000, but it went under the hammer for $620,000.

That’s one of the big risks you take as a vendor when your chosen sales method puts off a significant portion of the market.

If you’re planning to bid at auction and want to understand what the bank may require beforehand, get in touch.

📞 022 046 9339
✉️ [email protected]
🌐 maz.co.nz

25/10/2026

“Price by negotiation” can be frustrating when you’re trying to work out whether a property is even within your budget.

The property’s CV shouldn’t be treated as its current market value, so it helps to research recent comparable sales and ask the real estate agent for an indication of the vendor’s expectations.

Before making an offer, it’s also important to understand your maximum borrowing position and what you’re genuinely comfortable paying.

A mortgage adviser can help you confirm your financial limit, while your lawyer can advise you on the offer, conditions and sale and purchase agreement.

Knowing your numbers can help you approach the property with greater confidence without stretching beyond what you can afford.

If you’d like help understanding your financial position before making an offer, get in touch.

📞 022 046 9339
✉️ [email protected]
🌐 maz.co.nz

22/10/2026

Moving house doesn’t always mean starting your mortgage again from scratch.

Depending on your lender and circumstances, you may be able to transfer your existing home loan and fixed interest rate from your current property to your new one.

Before paying out your current mortgage, get in touch and find out what options may be available.

📞 022 046 9339
✉️ [email protected]
🌐 maz.co.nz

21/10/2026

What happens if you agree to pay $750,000 for a property, but the bank values it at $700,000?

The bank will consider the value it is prepared to lend against, not only the price you have agreed to pay.

If the valuation comes in lower than expected, it could increase your loan-to-value ratio and affect how much the bank is prepared to lend.

You may need to contribute a larger deposit, review the valuation or discuss your options with the bank and your lawyer.

Before making an unconditional offer, make sure the bank is happy with the specific property and that any valuation conditions have been met.

Get in touch before committing to the purchase.

📞 022 046 9339
✉️ [email protected]
🌐 maz.co.nz

15/10/2026

A mortgage cashback can be helpful, but it shouldn’t be the only reason you choose a bank.

Some cashback offers require you to keep your lending and everyday banking with that bank for a set period. If you refinance or move banks early, you may be required to repay part of the cashback. Terms differ between lenders.

Before accepting an offer, compare:

• The interest rate
• Cashback conditions
• Loan structure and flexibility
• Fees and early repayment costs
• Whether the lender suits your future plans

The biggest cashback doesn’t always mean the best overall mortgage deal.

Speak with Anthony to compare the full picture before choosing a lender.

📞 022 046 9339
✉️ [email protected]
🌐 maz.co.nz

14/10/2026

The Official Cash Rate is currently 2.75% after the Reserve Bank increased it by 0.25% in September.

Annual inflation was 4.1% in the June quarter, above the Reserve Bank’s target range of 1% to 3%. The Reserve Bank has indicated that future decisions will depend on how inflation and the wider economy develop.

The next OCR announcement is due on 28 October.

If your fixed rate is ending soon, now is a good time to review your mortgage rather than waiting until the last minute. The right decision should consider your loan structure, future plans and available options, not just the lowest advertised rate.

Get in touch with Anthony to discuss your mortgage.

📞 022 046 9339
✉️ [email protected]
🌐 maz.co.nz

14/10/2026

Thinking about installing solar panels using a sustainable energy home loan?

Before deciding, the first step is to work out what is actually driving your power bills and whether solar is the right solution for your home.

Your location, roof position, shading, daytime power use, system size and installation costs can all affect whether the numbers stack up. If you live rurally, remember to include any additional travel or installation charges in the quote.

I had solar installed at my own home in Christchurch and used the Kiwibank Sustainable Energy Loan for the $11,000 cost. It worked well for me.

Kiwibank currently contributes up to $2,000 over four years towards an eligible sustainable energy system when you borrow more than $5,000.

However, if you’re spending more, another bank’s low-interest offer could potentially work out better than receiving the $2,000 contribution.

It’s worth comparing the total interest, repayments, fees and any costs involved in switching banks before making a decision.

If you’d like help comparing the finance options for your project, get in touch.

📞 022 046 9339
✉️ [email protected]
🌐 maz.co.nz

11/10/2026

Can you buy an “as is, where is” property and still get insurance and a mortgage?

“As is, where is” can often mean two things:

• The property is not fully repaired and you can’t get full insurance on it. Main banks will be unlikely to lend on these properties.

• The owner doesn’t want to deal with future comebacks, so they’re selling it “as is, where is.” This is more a case of buyer beware, meaning you need to complete all your due diligence and understand what you’re purchasing.

I recently helped a client with less than a 10% deposit purchase one of these properties in the Shirley area. The insurance company, bank and Kāinga Ora were all comfortable with the purchase.

When bidding at an auction, your bid is unconditional. This means you need to complete all your due diligence and have your finance approved unconditionally for that specific property before bidding.

This could involve a registered valuation, building report, quotes for repairs and written confirmation from the insurance company that it can provide full cover for the property.

Definitely speak to whoever arranged your pre-approval before taking the next steps.

📞 022 046 9339
✉️ [email protected]
🌐 maz.co.nz