With the housing market as hot as it is, a common question is “Is now a good time to buy a house?”
It’s a valid concern. Experiencing a large drop in house price shortly after buying doesn’t feel nice.
But my return question would be […..]
Are houses expensive in 2021?
Don't bank on house price rises to continue
Housing in New Zealand too big to fall
A common refrain cropping up in discourse today is that the housing market is too big to fail. That the government won’t let house prices fall. These feelings have only been exacerbated by the reserve bank’s recent announcement that it will roll out a funding for lending programme, where it will lend up to $28 million to banks at the […..]
Why the rent vs buy debate is flawed
Why you may want to reconsider paying off the mortgage early
Recently, I wrote about a commonly used false argument to pay your mortgage off early.
Another of the most sighted reasons for paying off your mortgage early is that the feeling that it will bring knowing that you no longer have a mortgage to pay. For many people, it will reduce your annual expenses by 30% or more. That is a lot lower cost of living and let me tell you, it does […..]
Tips for first time (and even second time) renters
Should I pay off the mortgage or invest? Consider this
One of the greatest money quandaries for those who own a house is whether extra funds should go towards the mortgage or invest.
I even wrote an article about this myself.
Whenever I bring up this topic, the payoff the mortgage camp are extremely staunch and it seems that the majority of New Zealander’s are in this camp, which has prompted several […..]
Things to look for when buying a house
The true cost of a mortgage holiday
Building a passive house in New Zealand
Are New Zealand houses affordable?
Should I buy a house now or wait?
Kyle is in the market for a first home. He wants a 3-bedroom house, but it seems all the 3 bedroom homes in his suburb are out of his price range. Kyle went to the open home of a 70 square metre 2-bedroom house that ticks several of his boxes. However, it is much smaller than he would like for his 3-person family, which is likely […..]
Investing in shares to buy a house is a bad idea
Recently I published an article in response to a factually incorrect and irresponsible article from the Stuff news website.
Well they are at it again […..]
New Zealand house price increases are not what they seem
6 reasons not to pay off the mortgage early
6 reasons to pay off the mortgage early
How a 20 minute move has saved me over $300,000
The other week, I posted an article about focusing on the big three expenses of housing, transport and food. How progress can be made so much more quickly by cutting down on the big expenses, instead of the smaller expenses.
Well today I will go into detail of how I managed to cut on housing costs. Just one financial move that will save me hundreds of thousands of dollars […..]
Simplicity enters the home loan market, but at what cost?
I realise I’m touching a hornets’ nest with this one. Simplicity is the do good favourite son or daughter of many people. And for good reason. They have done great things for investors in New Zealand.
I recommend Simplicity funds to many of my clients due to their low cost and diversified funds.
However, I am not a fan of this latest offering […..]
Using your mortgage as an emergency fund
I am a member of a few personal finance related online forums and I frequently see the question of “Where should I put my emergency savings?”
Without a doubt, the top answer always tends to be to keep it in the mortgage account, for those that have a mortgage.
Now the members of these communities mean well, but unlike financial advisers, they are no repercussions for bad advice, or advice given without explanation of the risks […..]