We should be clear here though - not all banks are equal. At any given time some will have stricter lending policies than others, some will offer more attractive interest rates, terms and ‘cashback’ for certain deals etc. And this information isn’t advertised!
 
How, as the customer, you are expected to know which bank to approach is hard to fathom. Unless you have a mortgage broker in your corner of course!
 
By ‘employing’ (and I use that term loosely as the vast majority do not charge the customer for their services) a qualified, experienced mortgage broker you can take advantage of their inside knowledge. They may not be bank employees, but they are updated on the banks new policies, aims and criteria regularly - and this can really help ensure your application is given the best chances of approval.
 
A mortgage broker can ensure the your application lands on the right desk (of the right bank) depending on your needs/plans. They can also ensure you application is presented in the best light. It is in their best interests to ensure your ‘case’ is as strong as possible, and if that means fighting on your behalf then that’s what they’ll do. Is a salaried bank employee likely to fight on your behalf to the same extent? I doubt that very much!...
 
Mortgage brokers have built up relationships with all the main banks, and this is a massive advantage for the customer. How would you know if you are being offered the best deal if you only approach your current bank? An experienced mortgage broker can approach all of them - at no cost to you - in no time at all.
 
By having an experienced negotiator, who has seen lots of similar deals (so they know what can be achieved) you are putting yourself in the strongest possible position.
 
So, the first step is to engage a mortgage broker.
 
Key Elements of a Strong Application
 
Filling in the forms is all pretty straightforward, but if you’re not quite at that stage yet there are a few things you can do to ensure your application will be viewed as favourably as possible.
 

• Account Conduct - It seems trivial, but your account conduct can be very important. Those late credit card payments, and unarranged overdrafts/excesses count against you - so avoid them for 3mths before applying if you can.
• Kerb Your Spending - spending every cent you earn does not paint you in a good light from a banking perspective. Banks love to see people who live within their means. Cut back on the things you don’t need and put the extra you save into a separate savings account. Banks love that! Do this as early as possible so when it comes time to apply you have proven savings record you can demonstrate to the banks.
• Increase Your Income - a few dollars more per hour makes a big difference to your borrowing power, so if you haven’t asked a for a pay rise recently and you can justify one arrange a meeting with the boss and ask!
• Include All Your Information - if you have several credit cards, loans, accounts etc you need to include them all. The banks check through all your details/statements and if they spot some that aren’t accounted for it isn’t a great look! If you’ve had credit issues previously it is best to be upfront about these too. Again, these will be uncovered so it is better to be on the front foot with the info.

 
A great way to start the whole process is to touch base with us and let us know your plans. Whether you are months away from buying or you’ve just found the perfect house it is never too late to get assistance, and some expert advice.​

Buying a new property, refinancing your existing mortgage or just getting some general home loan advice can be daunting, so searching out an expert makes a lot of sense.
Your property will almost certainly be your biggest asset (outside of your earning capacity) so you need to ensure you are dealing with a trustworthy, qualified adviser. ​

​So what should your broker be able to offer you?

​There are plenty of competent brokers to choose from in Wellington, but if you want to choose the best mortgage broker choose one that suits your needs - not theirs. At The Wellington Mortgage Broker we understand that finding the time to meet with a mortgage adviser can be difficult, so we tend to be more flexible than most and even offer a service that can be done online. 
​Unlike the main banks we can also offer our services outside traditional working hours, at the weekend, and without being tied to one bank.
​You can check out some of our other services here.
Next Steps?
At some stage you will need to decide which mortgage adviser to use, but the first step is to touch base and let them know what your plans are. It can be a scary prospect buying a new property - but we will walk you through every step of the of the process. 

Buying a house in Wellington has never been tougher. Prices have continued to rise at a very fast pace over recent times, making the dream of owning more and more difficult.

However, rather than dismissing the idea as unachievable it pays to contact an experienced mortgage broker as they can often find a way that you couldn’t on your own.

So how much do I need?

The standard answer to this question is 20%. Everyone rolls this number out like it is the only figure that works.

As an example, if you are looking to buy a property for $900,000 you will need to find $180,000 as your deposit. For a $600k property you’d need $120,000. These are scary figures for anyone starting out.

If you’re thinking you may as well give up now you wouldn’t be the first!

However, that’s taking 20% as the definitive answer. It’s not as black and white as that though.

The first thing to note is your deposit doesn’t just need to be cash that you’ve saved. KiwiSaver funds can be used if you are a first home buyer. Gifts from family can also be added into the mix to help bolster your deposit. Grants may be available too.

If you have family that already own a property they may even be willing to offer their property as extra ‘security’ and act as a guarantor. You can read more about guarantors here. Definitely worth considering!

The Banks and What They Don’t Tell You

The other key point to be aware of is bank policy. From time to time all banks tighten or loosen their lending criteria. Before you rush out the door to ask them though, this is never publicly announced. If you were to approach a bank directly they just won’t tell you.

They do, however, tell their better mortgage brokers....

Despite their websites, and adverts stating you need a 20% deposit it may well be that they are willing to lend up to 85%, or possibly even as high as 90% for certain clients. Achieving a $60,000 deposit is a far less daunting task than the $120k mentioned earlier!

Having an experienced mortgage broker on your side allows you to access this sort of inside knowledge - and act accordingly. For example, it may be that the bank will lend 85% for existing clients - so maybe it would make sense for you to suddenly become one of their clients?!...

Summary

The answer to how much you need really depends on a number of factors. The key point though is not to just take 20% as the final answer - it’s rarely as simple as that.

Make sure you have an experienced broker in your corner who can advise and direct you to the right lender, and walk you through the options to ensure your maximise your chances of an approval.​