Loan Market Queenstown

09/09/2026

If you are already saving regularly, then you might be in a stronger position to buy a home in Queenstown than you think!

Lenders LOVE regular savers, and if you're consistently putting money aside each pay cycle, you're already doing two things. Building a deposit, and proving to a lender that you can manage a mortgage repayment in one of New Zealand's more competitive property markets.

Banks look at savings patterns over the past 3–6 months as a strong indicator of affordability. If you have less than a 20% deposit, and your savings plus rent are equivalent to your mortgage repayments, then this is a great plus for your application.

Find out more about saving for a home in Queenstown below, and be sure to reach out for a free no-obligation chat to see how you are tracking towards home ownership.

👉 https://adviser.loanmarket.co.nz/queenstown-and-central-otago/blog/closer-to-buying-your-first-home/

07/09/2026

Are you planning on using your KiwiSaver to buy a first home? Here's something you need to consider that could save you thousands.... 😮

Something we've been seeing a lot of at the moment are clients who are keen to use their KiwiSaver as part of their first home deposit soon, but they are still sitting in a Growth or Aggressive fund.

These funds are 80%–99% invested in the share market and are designed around a roughly 10-year investment horizon to smooth out volatility. This means there's a real chance of your KiwiSaver amount dropping just before you go to pull it out for your home purchase.

Once you know you're in a position to purchase and are actively looking, you should look to move to a more Defensive fund to avoid a large drop right when you might need to withdraw your funds. Sometimes this can be the difference between getting a first home and missing out completely if the market drops and your fund loses significant value.

Thinking about buying and would like to chat about your best strategy for KiwiSaver? Get in touch for your free chat. 👇
https://adviser.loanmarket.co.nz/queenstown-and-central-otago/contact-us/

Why choose Loan Market? We’re not owned by a bank. We have access to over 20 lenders.

04/09/2026

It might not be the most exciting job, but it's one that can seriously pay off!!

Reviewing your power, insurance, and internet can free up money every month. You might be amazed by how much you can save when you swap providers, reduce unneeded plan tiers, or even ask the provider for a cheeky discount! 🤑

Redirecting those small wins into your savings account adds up faster than you think.

Take a few minutes to do this today and you'll thank yourself later.

02/09/2026

As expected, the Reserve Bank lifted the Official Cash Rate (OCR) from 2.50% to 2.75% - no surprises there. The more interesting news is on the horizon: the RBNZ's latest forecast now points to a peak OCR of 3.50% by September 2028, well below what markets and some commentators have been pricing in (a 4.00% cash rate by the end of 2027).

We may still see one more increase before the end of 2026, with a possible hold in October 2026.

A weak Kiwi economy looks set to do a lot of the heavy lifting on inflation from here. There's significant spare capacity across the economy and employment data explains why the RBNZ is likely to take a "wait and see" approach heading into 2027.

NZ EMPLOYMENT STATS
👉 Unemployment is at 5.6%, which is the highest since September 2015.

👉 Youth unemployment (15–24) sits at 17.2% for June, barely down from 17.3% in the March quarter (a 14-year high). That means more than one in six young Kiwis in the labour force are out of work.

👉 The next closest age group, 25–34, is at 5.2%, which is a 9-year high.

Youth unemployment has always run higher than other age groups, but current levels are among the highest seen since the post-COVID recovery.

REGIONAL DIFFERENCES
👉 South Island: 3.7% unemployment for the June quarter, helped by strong overseas demand for manufacturing.

👉 North Island: 6.0%, with Northland the hardest hit at 8.8%.

👉 Auckland: 6.5%, well above Wellington's 4.9%.

👉 Canterbury and Otago are the country's strongest performers, both at 3.6%.

Got questions about what this means for your mortgage, first home purchase, or investment plans? Get in touch, we are always happy to talk through the numbers.

27/08/2026

Thinking about using your KiwiSaver to buy a home in Queenstown?

Here's everything you need to know - from how much you can withdraw, to what the process looks like, and whether you really should use all of your funds for a home. Click below to read 👇

https://adviser.loanmarket.co.nz/queenstown-and-central-otago/blog/kiwisaver-first-home-deposit-queenstown/

25/08/2026

There's literally hundreds of different options for your KiwiSaver 🤯

So knowing which one works best for you can be a challenge! Every provider and fund has different risks and returns and it's important to align your fund with YOUR personal level of risk.

This is why we conduct a risk profiler as part of our KiwiSaver review process. It gauges your comfort level with various investment risks and ensures that your KiwiSaver investments align with your personal risk tolerance and financial objectives.

Oh and did we mention it's free?

Book your KiwiSaver review below 👇

Why choose Loan Market? We’re not owned by a bank. We have access to over 20 lenders.

21/08/2026

A huge congratulations to Cara Light who also achieved Premier status at the recent Loan Market Awards. This is such a fantastic achievement and it puts Cara as one of the top Loan Market advisors - we are so proud! 🥳

And of course, this wouldn't be possible without Cara's amazing clients - thank you for your ongoing support and trust!

20/08/2026

The local property market was a bit slower this month, with less properties sold across the region. The median house price continues to inch upwards, despite the slower market.

Here's what you need to know about the market right now...

🏠 The average Queenstown-Lakes home sold for $1,610,000 in July

⬆️ This is up 2.2% on June and up 9.2% on this time last year

🏘️ There were 70 properties sold in the Queenstown District

👱 First home buyers and owner-occupiers remain the most active in the market

👉 The takeaway?
Open homes remained steady this past month, especially for properties in the lower-mid price ranges. Auctions were also fairly steady, which is great to see despite it being the middle of winter.

Buyers and sellers were mostly on the same page when it came to pricing, and homes that were priced well, often sold the easiest. The number of properties sold was significantly down compared to this time last year, with external factors like cost of living and the upcoming election, likely creating an influence on buyer behaviour.

No matter whether you are looking to buy a first home, move homes, or purchase an investment property - we are here to help. Get in touch with us and we can give you personalised advice on the best moves for your situation and help you through the entire lending process.

Give us a call on 03 441 1307 or book your free appointment with us online. 👇
https://adviser.loanmarket.co.nz/queenstown-and-central-otago/contact-us/

Source: REINZ

19/08/2026

A massive congratulations to Stewart Mitchell for achieving Premier status at the recent Loan Market Awards! This places him in the top performing Loan Market advisors, which is a huge achievement! 🥳

A huge thanks to all of Stewart's clients - without your support and trust, this wouldn't be possible!

17/08/2026

MYTH: You need a bigger deposit as a self-employed borrower.

❌ BUSTED : The deposit requirements themselves aren't different for self employed buyers, you're still looking at the same starting points as any other buyer. This looks like...

👉 20% for an existing home as an owner occupier (with some lenders and schemes allowing less)

👉 Often 10%+ for new builds, sometimes less depending on the lender

👉 The Kāinga Ora First Home Loan scheme (5% deposit) is available to self-employed buyers too, provided you meet the income cap and eligibility criteria

👉 Case by case there can be opportunities to purchase your first home with a 5% deposit without qualifying for the First Home Loan.

Instead, what can shift is the confidence a lender has in approving a lower deposit loan for a self-employed borrower vs someone on salary and wages. This is where the longer you've been in business the better - but reach out to us and we can talk you through the deposit requirements for your situation.

Read more here about borrowing while self-employed here 👇
https://adviser.loanmarket.co.nz/queenstown-and-central-otago/blog/buy-home-self-employed-business-owner/