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Aaron answers real mortgage questions on TikTok, Instagram and YouTube every week. The best ones land here too, with the full story written out in plain English.
Buying your first home
Deposits, KiwiSaver, pre-approval and the traps that catch first home buyers.
The #1 reason mortgages get declined
Banks look hardest at how you handle the money you already have. Your last three months of statements are the audition.
Watch + read TikTok videoDo this before you buy your first home
Get pre-approved before you fall in love with a house. It tells you your real budget and makes your offer credible.
Watch + read TikTok videoFirst home buyers: you may not need a 20% deposit
The "you need 20%" rule is not the whole story. Banks can and do lend above 80% to first home buyers.
Watch + read TikTok videoHow to research a street before you buy on it
You can renovate a house. You cannot renovate its street — so the surroundings deserve as much due diligence as the building.
Watch + read YouTube videoHow Your Deposit Size Affects Your Mortgage Payments
A $1M home with a 5% deposit costs $1,172/week at 5.7% interest.
Watch + read YouTube videoWhy Even Perfect Mortgage Applicants Get Declined
High income and big deposits don't guarantee mortgage approval if your financial history is shaky.
Watch + read YouTube videoThe Hidden Ongoing Costs of Buying Your First Home
Insurance and council rates are predictable costs you can research before buying.
Watch + read YouTube videoThe #1 Mortgage Hurdle for Self-Employed Buyers
Banks need current financials to calculate your true business income after expenses
Watch + read YouTube video5 First Home Buyer Mistakes (and How to Avoid Them)
Don't browse houses without price filters - define your must-haves and budget first.
Watch + read YouTube videoThe Complete First Home Buyer’s Guide for New Zealand
You’ll typically need a 10% deposit (5% for new builds) and income equal to 1/5th-1/6th of your mortgage amount.
Watch + read YouTube videoThe 3 Biggest Reasons Mortgage Applications Get Declined
Banks decline loans when repayments (tested at higher rates) exceed your income minus essential expenses.
Watch + read YouTube videoFirst Home Buying Basics in New Zealand
A mortgage is like renting money - banks care about your financial predictability more than just your income.
Watch + read YouTube videoThe hard truth about deposits for an average NZ home
A $60K deposit is a start but you'll likely need $97K (10%) for an average $970K NZ home.
Watch + read YouTube videoWays to boost your first home deposit faster
Increasing KiwiSaver contributions helps but locks money away unless used for a home.
Watch + read YouTube videoAaron's 2026 house price predictions for New Zealand
Overall prices likely to stay flat in 2025 and 2026, but different property types and locations will perform very differently.
Watch + read YouTube videoAvoid Costly Auction Mistakes as a First-Home Buyer
Auctions legally bind winners to buy immediately - you must complete all checks before bidding.
Watch + read YouTube videoWhere to Buy Your First Home in New Zealand
Queenstown offers beautiful properties with good rental returns but comes with high prices.
Watch + read YouTube videoDo first home buyers need a will?
First home buyers should have a will before purchasing a property.
Watch + read YouTube videoFirst Home Buyer Academy: Avoid Costly Mistakes
Most first-time buyers make mistakes because they don't know what they don't know about mortgages.
Watch + read YouTube videoFirst home buyer checklist: where to start
Most first-home buyers feel overwhelmed not knowing where to start in the home buying process.
Watch + read YouTube videoThe real upfront costs of buying your first home
First home buyers need cash beyond their deposit for reports, legal fees and council rate adjustments.
Watch + read YouTube videoBuying land vs building: what it costs in New Zealand
Buying bare land requires a 50% deposit, with a $250,000 loan costing $369/week in repayments.
Watch + read YouTube videoNever sign a property contract before your finance is sorted
Signing a property contract before having finance approved is risky and should be avoided.
Watch + read YouTube videoReal Estate Agent Tricks at Auctions
Letters of intent before auctions are not offers, just price tests.
Watch + read YouTube videoHow to Pay Off Debt Faster to Buy Your First Home
Debt consolidation can simplify repayments but only makes sense if the new rate is lower.
Watch + read YouTube videoWhy You Need an Emergency Fund Before Buying Your First Home
Aim for a $10,000-$20,000 emergency fund before buying your first home.
Watch + read YouTube videoHow Marriage Affects Your Will in New Zealand
Getting married automatically cancels any existing will in New Zealand.
Watch + read YouTube videoFirst home buyers: A real New Zealand success story
This family bought their $855,000 first home with a 20% deposit ($171,000), mostly from KiwiSaver.
Watch + read YouTube videoRent vs Mortgage: What Costs More Over Time?
NZ average rent has risen from $190 to $575 per week in 25 years (203% increase).
Watch + read YouTube videoWhy banks demand proof of insurance before approving your mortgage
Banks now rigorously check you can get property insurance without exclusions before approving your mortgage.
Watch + read YouTube videoFree First Home Buyer Academy: What You'll Learn
Aaron's free First Home Buyer Academy gives you the confidence to buy your first home sooner.
Watch + read YouTube videoHow to Save Faster for Your First Home Deposit
Automate your savings by setting up a direct debit into an account you won’t touch.
Watch + read YouTube videoWhat's the 'right' interest rate to buy your first home?
The 30-year average NZ mortgage rate is around 5%, which matches current 18-month and 2-year fixed rates.
Watch + read YouTube videoHow to Use a Mortgage Repayment Calculator for Your First Home
A mortgage repayment calculator lets you estimate costs based on price, deposit, loan term and interest rate.
Watch + read YouTube videoKids or house first: how banks view the financial impact
Banks adjust your income for maternity leave and reduced work hours after having kids.
Watch + read YouTube videoHow This Couple Bought Their First Home in Papakura
A $129,000 deposit let this couple buy a $730,000 home in Papakura with a $600,000 mortgage.
Watch + read YouTube videoWhat to Do If You Want to Buy a Property with Unconsented Works
You can ask the seller to return the property to its original consented state.
Watch + read YouTube videoFirst home buying: where to start when you don't know where to start
Buying a house is one of life's biggest financial decisions and requires proper preparation.
Watch + read YouTube videoHow to Increase Your Usable Income for Mortgage Approval
Changing jobs is often the biggest income boost for mortgage applications, especially in a skills-short market.
Watch + read YouTube videoWhy Kainga Ora Loans Just Got More Expensive
Lenders mortgage insurance for Kainga Ora loans has increased from 0.5% to 1.2% of the loan amount.
Watch + read YouTube videoHow to Compare KiwiSaver Funds Yourself
Morningstar's KiwiSaver report lets you compare fund performance across providers.
Watch + read YouTube videoCan You Use KiwiSaver a Second Time to Buy a Home?
You can only use KiwiSaver on a second purchase if you didn't use it on your first property
Watch + read YouTube videoAre House Prices Really Being Cut?
Headlines about asking price cuts often miss the real picture.
Watch + read YouTube videoWhy pre-approvals slow down over the holidays
Banks shift staff focus to live deals and refinances over the holiday period.
Watch + read YouTube videoAuckland's New CVs: Why Prices Should Drop But Probably Won't
Auckland's new CVs are based on May 2024 house prices, which are lower than June 2021 prices when the last CVs were set.
Watch + read YouTube videoHow a Lower Test Rate Increases Your Borrowing Power
A lower test rate increases how much you can borrow for a mortgage.
Watch + read YouTube videoWhy You Should Book Your Mortgage Adviser Early
Many people watch Aaron's content but don't book their mortgage advice with him.
Watch + readMoney habits & getting ready
Budgets, bank statements and the groundwork that turns "one day" into a settlement date.
One spreadsheet beats a hundred good intentions
Most people saving for a first home cannot answer two basic questions: exactly how much do I have, and exactly when will I have enough. A spreadsheet answers both.
Watch + read TikTok videoHow to budget for your first home
Work backwards: target house price, minus KiwiSaver and any help, equals the cash you still need. Divide by your weekly surplus and you have your timeline.
Watch + read TikTok videoBank statement red flags the lender will spot
Aaron shows a humorous, playful side in this candid video.
Watch + read YouTube video3 Bank Statement Red Flags That Could Slow Your Mortgage Approval
Frequent cash withdrawals make lenders question what you're spending on.
Watch + read YouTube videoThe Real Cost of Adding a Car to Your Mortgage
A $175,000 car added to your mortgage costs an extra $215/week at current rates.
Watch + read YouTube videoHow a $3,000 Loan Can Cost You Thousands
A $3,000 loan with 47.6% interest left a client paying just $300 off in 7 years.
Watch + read YouTube videoHow April's KiwiSaver Changes Affect Your Mortgage
KiwiSaver contributions rise to 3.5% (employee+employer) from 1st April 2024.
Watch + read YouTube videoThe reality of being a top 1% earner with a mortgage in NZ
Earning over $270,000 puts you in New Zealand's top 1% of income earners.
Watch + read YouTube videoDon't forget to pay tax on flatmate or boarder income
Flatmate and boarder income is taxable and must be reported to the IRD.
Watch + read YouTube videoWhy Term Deposit Rates Are Dropping With Mortgages
Term deposit rates fall when mortgage interest rates drop.
Watch + read YouTube videoWhy cash advances hurt your mortgage approval chances
Banks view credit card cash advances as red flags because they signal you're spending money you don't have.
Watch + read YouTube videoThe sneaky credit card interest rate trap
Some credit card companies offer lower interest rates when you try to pay off your card, as an incentive to keep it open.
Watch + readLoan structure & rates
How your mortgage is put together, and how the right structure saves you real money.
How offset accounts actually work
An offset account links your everyday savings to your mortgage. You only pay interest on the difference.
Watch + read YouTube videoPaying extra on your mortgage: does it actually work?
Yes, it works. Extra repayments go straight onto the loan balance, and interest is charged on the balance, so every extra dollar stops earning the bank interest for the rest of the loan.
Watch + read TikTok videoThe "special" rate: what 20% deposit actually buys you
The rates NZ banks advertise are usually "special" rates — and the headline condition is at least 20% deposit or equity.
Watch + read YouTube videoWeekly vs Monthly Repayments: What Actually Saves You Money
Paying weekly instead of monthly doesn't automatically save you money or time on your mortgage
Watch + read YouTube videoHow Extra Repayments Can Save You Years on Your Mortgage
Paying an extra $970/month on a $500k loan at 5% saves 13 years.
Watch + read YouTube videoHow Small Extra Repayments Save Big on Your Mortgage
An extra $5/day ($35/week) on a $650k loan at 7% saves $112,000 interest over 30 years.
Watch + read YouTube videoWhy New Zealand Mortgage Rates Are Increasing
All major NZ banks have now increased their longer-term fixed mortgage rates.
Watch + read YouTube videoHow Your Daily Coffee Could Save You $107,000 on Your Mortgage
Putting just $5 a day extra on a $500k mortgage at 7% saves $107,000 in interest.
Watch + read YouTube video3 Times Refinancing Your Mortgage Doesn't Make Sense
Your current bank may already offer the best terms (like offset accounts or discounts) for your situation.
Watch + read YouTube videoAaron's 2026 Interest Rate Predictions for NZ Homeowners
Aaron predicts mortgage rates will likely stay flat through 2026 despite recent bank increases.
Watch + read YouTube videoHow Rate Lock Agreements Protect You From Rising Interest Rates
Rate lock agreements let you lock in a chosen interest rate before it's applied to your mortgage.
Watch + read YouTube videoWhy Rising Interest Rates Can Help House Prices Stay Stable
Rising interest rates help keep house prices stable.
Watch + read YouTube videoThe hidden interest-only mortgage trap
Interest-only loans have much higher repayments after the interest-only period ends, as you still repay the full loan over the remaining term.
Watch + read YouTube videoOffset Accounts vs Revolving Credit: The Key Difference
Offset accounts let you link multiple savings accounts to offset mortgage interest, while revolving credit is one lump sum.
Watch + read YouTube videoWhy the OCR drop hasn't lowered mortgage rates yet
The OCR drop hasn't yet translated to lower fixed mortgage rates.
Watch + read YouTube videoYour weekly mortgage repayments at current rates
At a 4.49% one-year fixed rate, a $600,000 mortgage costs a specific weekly amount you can plan for.
Watch + read YouTube videoThe surprising impact of an OCR cut on your mortgage
The OCR has been cut, but some economists believe this was the wrong move.
Watch + read YouTube videoOffset accounts in the real world: the $50,000 example
A $50,000 offset account on a typical NZ mortgage saves around $67 per week in interest.
Watch + read YouTube videoWhen Fixed Loan Break Fees Cost Thousands
Fixed term break fees can cost tens of thousands if rates drop significantly.
Watch + read YouTube videoLatest Fixed Rate Drops: What This Means for Your Mortgage
Six-month fixed rates have dropped to 5.49%.
Watch + read YouTube video3 Ways to Pay Off Your Investment Property Mortgage
Principal and interest repayments use both your income and rental income to steadily pay down the mortgage.
Watch + read YouTube videoHow Your Loan Term Affects the Interest You Pay
A 10-year loan term could save you over $500,000 in interest compared to a 30-year term.
Watch + read YouTube video3 Reasons Some People Get Cheaper Interest Rates
Borrowers with 20%+ deposits get lower rates than those with smaller deposits.
Watch + read YouTube videoHow a $50,000 Offset Account Saves Interest on Your Mortgage
A $50,000 offset account saves $242,000 in interest over 30 years on a $700,000 mortgage at 5%.
Watch + read YouTube videoLatest Interest Rate Drops: What It Means for Your Mortgage
The mortgage rate war is heating up as banks compete by lowering their interest rates.
Watch + read YouTube videoWhat a $10 Million Mortgage Costs
A $10.05 million purchase needs a $2.1 million deposit (20%).
Watch + read YouTube videoRefix or Refinance: What’s the Difference?
Refixing means staying with your current bank and locking in a new interest rate when your term ends.
Watch + read YouTube videoHow Lower Test Rates Affect Your Mortgage Borrowing Power
NZ banks have lowered their test rates to around 8%, increasing borrowing power.
Watch + read YouTube videoFixed vs. Floating Rates: The Key Differences
Fixed rates are usually cheaper than floating rates and lock in your rate for a set term (e.g. two years at 5%).
Watch + read YouTube videoRefix vs Refinance: How Much Can You Save on Your Mortgage?
Refixing a $750,000 mortgage from 7% to 4.99% saves over $200 per week.
Watch + read YouTube videoShould you pay off your mortgage faster? The trade-offs
Faster mortgage payoff saves you interest and gives psychological benefits like feeling in control of your debt.
Watch + readYour next move
Using the home you already own to buy the next one.
Upgrading your current home: how the money works
The deposit for your next home is usually already sitting in your current one, as usable equity.
Watch + read TikTok videoEquity explained: buying an investment property without a cash deposit
Equity is your home’s value minus what you owe. If you have owned for a few years, you may be sitting on a deposit without knowing it.
Watch + read YouTube videoHow to Use Home Equity for Your Next Property Purchase
Use 80% of your current home's value minus your mortgage to calculate usable equity.
Watch + read YouTube videoIs Now a Good Time to Upgrade Your Home?
Upgrading now can save you money as higher-value properties see bigger dollar savings from price drops.
Watch + read YouTube videoHow to use your home's equity to buy an investment property
You can access up to 80% of your home's value as lending for an investment property.
Watch + read YouTube videoForever Home vs Investment Property: The Financial Trade-Off
You should consider the forever home vs investment property decision years before your first mortgage ends.
Watch + read YouTube videoTurning your home into a rental: 3 legal must-dos
Switching to landlord insurance provides better protection than standard home policies.
Watch + read YouTube videoHow much deposit do you need for a second home?
New builds can qualify with just 10-15% deposit, regardless of whether you'll live there or rent it out.
Watch + read YouTube videoHow to Buy an Investment Property Using Your Mortgage-Free Home
You can use 80% of your mortgage-free home's value as usable equity for an investment property.
Watch + read YouTube videoHouse prices up but still below peak
NZ median house prices rose just 0.1% in February according to CoreLogic.
Watch + readReal buyer stories
Real people, real purchases — and what their journey teaches anyone buying next.
The $200-a-week board that became a house deposit
In the video: a couple charged their daughter $200 a week board from age 18, then gave it back at 25 as $72,000 towards her first home deposit.
Watch + read TikTok videoThis family just bought this house — here’s how that happens
Key-in-hand moments look sudden. They never are — there is a standard path behind every one of them, and it is learnable.
Watch + read TikTok video15 working days of due diligence, then unconditional
The mortgage process requires persistence through highs and lows.
Watch + read