News and Insights
Keep up with the property market, interest rates, lending rules and other useful updates for anyone who wants to make smarter property and financial decisions.
OCR held at 3.25%. Is it time to revisit the Reserve Bank’s mandate?
Over the past 12 months, the Reserve Bank has gradually lowered the Official Cash Rate (OCR) from 5.50% to 3.25%. While that’s a solid drop, the pace of cuts has been cautious. With inflation falling and economic pressures mounting, many are asking: Why has the RBNZ been so cautious on rate cuts? Part of the answer may lie in a quiet but significant change made late last year. Here’s the full story.
Behind the advice: a Q&A with Colab’s Sam Ludbrook
Buying a home can feel like a serious business — but the people behind your mortgage advice don’t have to be. Colab founder and Managing Director Sam has been on both sides of the process, and we asked him a few questions to help you get to know the person behind the advice — starting with how he takes his coffee.
How much deposit do I actually need to buy my first home?
The short answer? It depends on your situation… but If you qualify for a First Home Loan, you might only need a 5% deposit. If you don’t meet the criteria for that, there are other options and most banks are happy to lend to first home buyers with a 10% deposit. Here’s everything you need to know.
Building while paying rent or a mortgage? Here's what you need to know
One of the most common questions I get from people building a new home is, “How do I manage the payments while I’m still paying rent (or my current mortgage)?” It’s a really fair concern, especially under a traditional build contract. The good news is, there are a few options available to make things more manageable during this time.
Why more property investors are turning to non-bank lending and how Colab makes it work for You
At Colab, we’re seeing more of our clients, from seasoned investors to first-time developers, moving away from traditional banks and embracing the flexibility of non-bank finance. And for good reason. Whether you’re flipping a property, bridging finance between purchases, funding a new build, or unlocking equity for a commercial opportunity, banks aren’t always the best fit. That’s where we come in.