Advice Knight

OCR just moved – what does it mean for your mortgage?

The Reserve Bank today lifted the Official Cash Rate (OCR) by 0.25% to 2.75%, as expected. It’s the second increase in a row, with more gradual rises likely over the next 12–18 months to bring inflation back to target.

What this means for you:
• Floating/variable rates: Expect further small increases over time as the OCR rises.
• Fixed rates: Already pricing in higher OCR ahead, but still room for movement depending on the data.
• Strategy matters: The right mix of fixed vs floating now can give you more certainty and flexibility.

If you’re unsure where you sit, or want to stress‑test your repayments against possible rate moves, message me and we’ll run through your options.

🌱 Over 2,000 trees planted! 🌱

We’re thrilled to share that, together with Trees That Count, we’ve now planted over 2,000 native trees across Aotearoa.

A huge thank you to our wonderful clients for being part of this initiative. Your ongoing support has helped us contribute to restoring native forests and creating a lasting difference for our environment and future generations. 💚

Find out more about Trees That Count. They connect supporters with restoration projects across Aotearoa.

GrowingTogether

🏡 New Zealand’s housing market remains subdued, with property values continuing to drift rather than move sharply in either direction.

National property values fell 0.3% in July and remain 17.7% below their January 2022 peak. With more listings, cautious buyers and sellers adjusting their price expectations, buyers may still have the upper hand.

This creates opportunities to:

✅ Take more time with due diligence
✅ Negotiate on price and conditions
✅ Compare more properties
✅ Carefully assess building quality, insurance, flood risk and maintenance costs

However, lower house prices don’t automatically mean a property is affordable. Deposit requirements, interest rates, insurance, council rates and ongoing maintenance all need to be factored into the numbers.

The market also varies significantly by region, so national headlines don’t tell the whole story. Whether you’re buying your first home, upgrading or considering an investment, it’s important to understand how the lending implications fit with your wider financial position.

Read the full article via the News Updates link in our bio.

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We’re hiring! 🎉

We’re looking for a new Relationship Manager to join our team and help more Kiwis feel confident about their mortgage and KiwiSaver decisions. If you love building genuine connections, explaining things simply, and making a real difference in people’s financial lives, we’d love to hear from you. Check out the role by clicking on the news link in our bio.

https://www.adviceknight.co.nz/post/we-re-hiring-1

Ready to buy your first home? 🏡

Introducing our new First Home Buyers Guide to help make the journey feel a little less overwhelming.

Inside, you’ll find practical tips on:
• How to get started.
• What banks look for.
• How much deposit you may need.
• Steps to take before you apply.

If you’re thinking about buying your first home, this guide is a great place to start. Click the link in our bio or send us a message to get your hands on a free copy!

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Are you in the right KiwiSaver fund?
Fund performance makes a huge difference. It’s not just saving, it’s where you put it. Review your KiwiSaver today to make sure it’s working as hard as you are.

Click the KiwiSaver Review link in our bio to get started.

This is what it’s all about - we love helping make the property process easier and giving advice that made sense for the long run.

Thank you for trusting Anthony Sage and the team — we really appreciate it and are so happy we could help.

📣 The OCR has moved again — so what does that mean for your mortgage? 🏠 💰

With the Reserve Bank lifting the Official Cash Rate, we’re likely to see continued pressure on interest rates. For homeowners and buyers, this can impact repayments, borrowing power, and overall strategy.

Now more than ever, it’s important to:
* Review your current loan structure
* Check when your fixed rates are rolling over
* Explore options to reduce interest costs and stay in control

Every situation is different — and small changes can make a big difference over time.

If you’re unsure how this affects you, we’re here to help you make sense of it and plan your next move with confidence.

Send us a message or get in touch for a quick review.

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We always love helping first home buyers!

Thank you for the feedback guys, it was a pleasure to be part of your journey and we wish you every happiness in your new home!

Heard of LVR but not quite sure what it means for you?

LVR (Loan-to-Value Ratio) is a key factor banks use when deciding your home loan. In simple terms, it’s the percentage of the property value you’re borrowing. The lower your LVR, the less risk for the bank — and often the better your options.

For example, if you’re buying a $800,000 home with a $160,000 deposit, your LVR is 80%. This unlocks sharper rates and avoids extra costs like low equity margins.

With lending rules and bank policies constantly shifting, understanding your LVR can be the difference between getting approved — or not.

If you’re unsure where you sit, it’s worth checking before you start house hunting.