SHARE

What is a property actually worth, and why does it matter when you’re applying for a home loan?

The asking price, council valuation and registered valuation can all tell you different things. For lenders, the property’s value can also affect how much you’re able to borrow and the options available to you.

Our article explains when a valuation may be required, how lenders use property values, and what can happen if a valuation comes in lower than expected: https://tinyurl.com/5pa8pedz

Life doesn’t always go to plan. The right insurance can help provide financial support when the unexpected happens.

From life, trauma and health cover to income protection, mortgage, business and rural insurance, a SHARE adviser can help you understand your options and consider cover that suits your circumstances.

Learn more: www.sharenz.com/insurance

Getting your first home loan approved is a big milestone, but there are still a few decisions to make before you get settled in.

How you structure your loan can affect your repayments, flexibility and how you manage it over time.

That might include thinking about:
∙ how long to fix for
∙ whether to split your loan across different fixed terms
∙ whether an offset or revolving credit facility could suit you
∙ keeping some savings accessible for unexpected costs

A SHARE mortgage adviser can help you understand the options and consider what may suit your circumstances.

Read more: https://tinyurl.com/mr6h9c2m

Life can look quite different from when you first took out your insurance.

A new home, growing family, career change, different debts or approaching retirement can all affect the type and level of protection that may be appropriate.

That’s why it can be worth reviewing your cover from time to time. A review doesn’t necessarily mean adding more insurance - it may simply help confirm that what you already have still reflects your circumstances.

Read more about when and why an insurance review may be worthwhile: https://tinyurl.com/4th25de7

An emergency fund can help prevent an unexpected expense from turning into longer-term debt.

While it does not have to be held in a separate account, giving that money its own place and purpose may make it easier to leave untouched until it is genuinely needed.

This article looks at where emergency savings could be kept, how to build them gradually, and why a simple account structure can make a difference.

Where should you keep your emergency fund? Why a separate account wins Does your emergency fund need its own account? Not strictly, but it helps. Here’s why a separate account works, where to keep it, and how to set one up.

KiwiSaver can be easy to leave running in the background, but your settings may not always keep pace with changes in your goals, income or timeframe.

Your contribution rate, fund choice, risk level and fees can all influence your KiwiSaver balance over time. What suited you earlier in life may not be the best fit as your circumstances change.

This article looks at why KiwiSaver is not necessarily “set and forget” and some of the settings worth reviewing along the way: https://tinyurl.com/5944k23c

When you share a life with someone, it can make sense to look at your insurance together too.

A change affecting one person can often have an impact on the wider household, from income and mortgage repayments to childcare and everyday living costs.

Reviewing cover as a couple can help you understand what each policy provides, how the different types of cover work together, and whether anything may need attention as your circumstances change.

This article looks at some of the insurance considerations couples may want to discuss: https://tinyurl.com/4yy3umrm

A SHARE adviser can help you review what you have in place and consider suitable options for your individual circumstances.

Health insurance can cover more than hospital stays, surgery and specialist appointments.

Depending on the policy, it may also include benefits such as wellness programmes, mental health support, telehealth services and some alternative therapies.

These extras can vary widely between providers, so it is worth understanding what is included, what limits apply and whether your cover still suits your needs.

This article looks at some of the lesser-known benefits that may be available through health insurance: https://tinyurl.com/33rws4u8

Not all mortgages work the same way.

Table loans, revolving credit, offset loans and interest-only lending each have different features, advantages and trade-offs. The right structure will depend on how you manage your money, your goals and your wider financial circumstances.

This helpful guide from Sorted explains the main mortgage types available in New Zealand and how they work.

Different types of mortgages and how they work There are many types of mortgage, each with its own interest rate, fees & flexibility. Learn about fixed & floating interest rates, repayments & structures.

Could paying off your mortgage help make retirement more manageable?

For many people, retiring without home loan repayments can mean fewer regular commitments, less exposure to future interest rate changes, and more flexibility in how retirement income is used.

But deciding whether to prioritise mortgage repayments or investing will depend on your circumstances, goals and timeframes.

Our article looks at how your mortgage can affect retirement planning and some of the options worth considering: https://tinyurl.com/bdywejtr