First Home Buyer:

Frequently Asked Questions

At IndoKiwi Finance NZ, our goal is to provide you with expert financial advice at little to no direct cost. In most cases, our services are free to you. We are paid a commission by the banks and other lenders when your mortgage is finalized or refixed, which means you get our expertise without paying a fee.

There are only a few rare exceptions:

  • Early Repayment: If a mortgage is fully paid off or refinanced within 36 months, the lender may claw back the commission paid to us. In this scenario, a fee may be charged to cover our costs. We will always inform you of this possibility beforehand.

  • Specialist Lenders: In some cases, a finance company may not pay us a commission but instead require a fee to be added to the loan. You will always be made aware of any such fees and must agree to them before any commitment is made.

  • Service Without Completion: If we have provided extensive services, but you choose not to proceed with the mortgage, we may charge an hourly rate of $250 for the work completed, up to a maximum of $3,000. This ensures our time and expertise are fairly compensated.

We believe in complete transparency. Any potential costs will always be discussed with you well in advance, so you can make an informed decision.

Tired of running into dead ends? Every bank has different rules, which is why searching for a mortgage can feel like a maze. Buyers often get frustrated and lose precious time applying to lenders who will never approve their loan.

We give you an insider's view of all the banks and their policies. You skip the guesswork and go straight to the lender that's the best fit for your unique situation. This means less stress and a much faster path to approval.

Getting a mortgage doesn't have to be complicated. It's simply a matter of confirming you have the required deposit and income, and matching that information with the perfect bank.

Our Best Tips for a Smooth Application:

  1. Get Organized: Have all your documents ready before you apply.
  2. Halt Spending: Keep non-essential spending to an absolute minimum in the 3 months before your application.

New to Buying? We offer a beginner's support that covers all the essentials of buying your first home.

Get in touch today!

Using a mortgage broker generally means no direct costs to you but there will be a couple of unavoidable costs there. These may include:

  • A Registered Valuation ($800 – $1,400)
  • Solicitor Costs ($800 – $2,500)
  • LIM report ($150 – $600)
  • Builder’s Report ($400 – $800)
  • Weather Tightness Report for Monoclad houses ($500 – $1,000)
  • Finance fee for non-bank lending (~1%)

Prices can vary. Always request a quote before ordering a report. 

Once we have received all your required documents and submitted your application, the banks typically aim for a turnaround time of five working days. In some cases, we've seen approvals come through in as little as two days, though it can occasionally take a bit longer.

To ensure the process is as fast as possible, it is crucial that we have all your information ready to go. This includes your proof of income (such as recent payslips or year-end financials) and your bank statements.

If your application is urgent and you need a decision in less than 10 working days, please let us know immediately so we can prioritize it for you.

It is a common scenario that some lenders may not be the ideal fit for your specific financial situation. When this occurs, you may face a declined application or receive an offer with unfavorable terms that do not meet your needs.

Our expertise lies in understanding the unique lending criteria and risk appetite of various banks and financial institutions. By leveraging this knowledge, we can strategically match your application with the lender most likely to offer a competitive and favourable outcome, saving you the time and stress of applying to multiple lenders yourself.

We source loans from a panel of lenders. Some of the current lenders we can use are:

ANZ, Westpac, BNZ, ASB, Kiwi Bank, SBS Bank, The Co-operative Bank, Heartland Bank, AIA Go Home Loan Bank, ASAP Finance Limited, PROSPA, Avanti Finance, Cressida Capital, DBR First Mortgage Trust, Liberty Financial Limited, Unity, Pepper Money, Southern Cross,Basecorp Finance, CFML, General Finance, Pallas Capital, BIZCAP, Funding Partners, Midlands Funds Management,Finbase

Want to secure your dream home without waiting for your current one to sell? You can!

This common scenario is managed through Bridging Finance. While this type of loan can be a little more expensive, it provides the flexibility to buy first, and it’s achievable if you have solid equity built up in your current home.

How to Qualify: The total amount of your existing mortgage and your new purchase loan must typically be less than 80% of the combined value of both homes.

It is important to note that banks require a commitment: you must agree to sell your current property, usually within a six-month timeframe. We'll help you run the numbers and find out if bridging finance works for your move."

Before you lift a hammer, you need a financial blueprint. The first (and most crucial) step in upgrading your home is determining your realistic borrowing power.

That's where we come in. There's no cost to consult with us. We encourage you to speak with an advisor early to review your financial situation and quickly see the full scope of what you can achieve. Get the clarity you need, obligation-free.

Absolutely. When we discuss refixing your mortgage rate, we go deeper than just the numbers.

A crucial part of our review is determining if your current mortgage structure is still the best fit for your life and financial goals. If it's not, we'll clearly outline a better structure for you and explain how it works.

This comprehensive assessment and advice come at no additional cost to you.

Not significantly more complicated at all!

The lending process for a new build ultimately comes down to the same two fundamental questions as any other mortgage:

  1. Affordability: Can you comfortably afford the repayments on the new loan?
  2. Deposit/Equity: Do you have sufficient deposit or equity to meet the bank's requirements?

The only key difference is one simple extra step: the bank will need to review your build contract to ensure it meets their lending criteria before approving the loan.

A Progress Payment Contract (also known as a Construction Loan) is a type of agreement used for building a new home where the funds are released in stages as the construction reaches specific milestones.

Here are the key aspects:

  • Phased Payments: Instead of receiving a lump sum, your mortgage provider (the bank) pays the builder in increments at pre-agreed points throughout the construction process.
  • Milestones: Payments are tied to the completion of specific stages, such as:
    • Laying the foundation (Slab/Base)
    • Completing the framework (Frame)
    • Achieving lock-up (Roof, windows, doors installed)
    • Internal fittings (Fixing/Internal lining)
    • Final completion
  • Interest Advantage: You only pay interest on the money that has been drawn down (released to the builder) up to that point, not on the full loan amount. This means your interest repayments start small and increase gradually as the build progresses, potentially saving you money during the construction phase.
  • Lender Oversight: The bank usually requires an inspection or proof of work completed (like an invoice) before releasing each payment to ensure the project is on track.
  • Ownership: This type of contract is often used when the buyer owns the land from the start.

This contrasts with a Turn-Key Contract, where you pay an initial deposit and the final balance upon completion, meaning the builder carries the cost of the build until you are ready to move in.

A turn-key contract is a single sale and purchase agreement where you purchase a new house when it is fully completed and ready to move in.

How it Works: You typically pay a deposit (usually 10%) to confirm the contract. You then pay the remaining balance upon final settlement, just like buying an existing home. The builder manages all the financial risks during construction.

How much do mortgage brokers charge?

At IndoKiwi Finance NZ, our goal is to provide you with expert financial advice at little to no direct cost. In most cases, our services are free to you. We are paid a commission by the banks and other lenders when your mortgage is finalized or refixed, which means you get our expertise without paying a fee.

There are only a few rare exceptions:

  • Early Repayment: If a mortgage is fully paid off or refinanced within 36 months, the lender may claw back the commission paid to us. In this scenario, a fee may be charged to cover our costs. We will always inform you of this possibility beforehand.
  • Specialist Lenders: In some cases, a finance company may not pay us a commission but instead require a fee to be added to the loan. You will always be made aware of any such fees and must agree to them before any commitment is made.
  • Service Without Completion: If we have provided extensive services, but you choose not to proceed with the mortgage, we may charge an hourly rate of $250 for the work completed, up to a maximum of $3,000. This ensures our time and expertise are fairly compensated.

We believe in complete transparency. Any potential costs will always be discussed with you well in advance, so you can make an informed decision.

Tired of running into dead ends? Every bank has different rules, which is why searching for a mortgage can feel like a maze. Buyers often get frustrated and lose precious time applying to lenders who will never approve their loan.

We give you an insider’s view of all the banks and their policies. You skip the guesswork and go straight to the lender that’s the best fit for your unique situation. This means less stress and a much faster path to approval.

Getting a mortgage doesn’t have to be complicated. It’s simply a matter of confirming you have the required deposit and income, and matching that information with the perfect bank.

Our Best Tips for a Smooth Application:

  1. Get Organized: Have all your documents ready before you apply.
  2. Halt Spending: Keep non-essential spending to an absolute minimum in the 3 months before your application.

New to Buying? We offer a beginner’s support that covers all the essentials of buying your first home.

Get in touch today!

Using a mortgage broker generally means no direct costs to you but there will be a couple of unavoidable costs there. These may include:

  • A Registered Valuation ($800 – $1,400)
  • Solicitor Costs ($800 – $2,500)
  • LIM report ($150 – $600)
  • Builder’s Report ($400 – $800)
  • Weather Tightness Report for Monoclad houses ($500 – $1,000)
  • Finance fee for non-bank lending (~1%)

Prices can vary. Always request a quote before ordering a report. 

Once we have received all your required documents and submitted your application, the banks typically aim for a turnaround time of five working days. In some cases, we’ve seen approvals come through in as little as two days, though it can occasionally take a bit longer.

To ensure the process is as fast as possible, it is crucial that we have all your information ready to go. This includes your proof of income (such as recent payslips or year-end financials) and your bank statements.

If your application is urgent and you need a decision in less than 10 working days, please let us know immediately so we can prioritize it for you.

It is a common scenario that some lenders may not be the ideal fit for your specific financial situation. When this occurs, you may face a declined application or receive an offer with unfavorable terms that do not meet your needs.

Our expertise lies in understanding the unique lending criteria and risk appetite of various banks and financial institutions. By leveraging this knowledge, we can strategically match your application with the lender most likely to offer a competitive and favourable outcome, saving you the time and stress of applying to multiple lenders yourself.

We source loans from a panel of lenders. Some of the current lenders we can use are:

ANZ, Westpac, BNZ, ASB, Kiwi Bank, SBS Bank, The Co-operative Bank, Heartland Bank, AIA Go Home Loan Bank, ASAP Finance Limited, PROSPA, Avanti Finance, Cressida Capital, DBR First Mortgage Trust, Liberty Financial Limited, Unity, Pepper Money, Southern Cross,Basecorp Finance, CFML, General Finance, Pallas Capital, BIZCAP, Funding Partners, Midlands Funds Management,Finbase

Want to secure your dream home without waiting for your current one to sell? You can!

This common scenario is managed through Bridging Finance. While this type of loan can be a little more expensive, it provides the flexibility to buy first, and it’s achievable if you have solid equity built up in your current home.

How to Qualify: The total amount of your existing mortgage and your new purchase loan must typically be less than 80% of the combined value of both homes.

It is important to note that banks require a commitment: you must agree to sell your current property, usually within a six-month timeframe. We’ll help you run the numbers and find out if bridging finance works for your move.”

Before you lift a hammer, you need a financial blueprint. The first (and most crucial) step in upgrading your home is determining your realistic borrowing power.

That’s where we come in. There’s no cost to consult with us. We encourage you to speak with an advisor early to review your financial situation and quickly see the full scope of what you can achieve. Get the clarity you need, obligation-free.

Absolutely. When we discuss refixing your mortgage rate, we go deeper than just the numbers.

A crucial part of our review is determining if your current mortgage structure is still the best fit for your life and financial goals. If it’s not, we’ll clearly outline a better structure for you and explain how it works.

This comprehensive assessment and advice come at no additional cost to you.

Not significantly more complicated at all!

The lending process for a new build ultimately comes down to the same two fundamental questions as any other mortgage:

  1. Affordability: Can you comfortably afford the repayments on the new loan?
  2. Deposit/Equity: Do you have sufficient deposit or equity to meet the bank’s requirements?

The only key difference is one simple extra step: the bank will need to review your build contract to ensure it meets their lending criteria before approving the loan.

A Progress Payment Contract (also known as a Construction Loan) is a type of agreement used for building a new home where the funds are released in stages as the construction reaches specific milestones.

Here are the key aspects:

  • Phased Payments: Instead of receiving a lump sum, your mortgage provider (the bank) pays the builder in increments at pre-agreed points throughout the construction process.
  • Milestones: Payments are tied to the completion of specific stages, such as:
    • Laying the foundation (Slab/Base)
    • Completing the framework (Frame)
    • Achieving lock-up (Roof, windows, doors installed)
    • Internal fittings (Fixing/Internal lining)
    • Final completion
  • Interest Advantage: You only pay interest on the money that has been drawn down (released to the builder) up to that point, not on the full loan amount. This means your interest repayments start small and increase gradually as the build progresses, potentially saving you money during the construction phase.
  • Lender Oversight: The bank usually requires an inspection or proof of work completed (like an invoice) before releasing each payment to ensure the project is on track.
  • Ownership: This type of contract is often used when the buyer owns the land from the start.

This contrasts with a Turn-Key Contract, where you pay an initial deposit and the final balance upon completion, meaning the builder carries the cost of the build until you are ready to move in.

A turn-key contract is a single sale and purchase agreement where you purchase a new house when it is fully completed and ready to move in.

How it Works: You typically pay a deposit (usually 10%) to confirm the contract. You then pay the remaining balance upon final settlement, just like buying an existing home. The builder manages all the financial risks during construction.