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.
Wondering about build guarantees? Here’s what you need to know
A build guarantee might not be the most exciting part of the process, but it’s your safety net if things go off track. It can protect you financially from loss, delays, unfinished work, or major structural defects. It also adds peace of mind. Here’s everything you need to know.
When people fall in love with a home, they commit.
Research is showing that with a growing number of unsold new builds sitting on the market, buyers are clearly becoming more selective. If you’re a developer or builder thinking about how to better position your next project - we’re here to help with strategy, funding, and making sure your product actually meets the market.
What happens after your new build passes inspection? A step-by-step guide to securing your Code Compliance Certificate (CCC)
The CCC confirms your home meets consented plans and Building Code standards. It’s often needed for your lender to release final funds and gives you peace of mind that the build is legally signed off, helping avoid issues down the track. So what needs to happen now?
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.
April 2025 update | OCR cut, lending shifts & fresh optimism in the market
Economists have responded positively to the recent OCR cut, with many now predicting deeper cuts ahead than originally forecast. Factors like easing inflation, a slowing global economy, and recent US trade tariff moves are all feeding into those expectations.
Test rates are below 7% - why that’s good news for home loan borrowers
The Reserve Bank cut the OCR this week, and while that’s good news for mortgage holders, here’s what we’re really watching: Most banks have already dropped their floating rates. More interestingly – we’ve just seen a bank drop its test rate to 6.75%. That’s a big shift.
Construction lingo explained: A simple guide for new build buyers
If you're building for the first time, the process can be full of jargon. And let’s be honest, it’s not always clear what people are talking about. So I’ve pulled together a quick cheat sheet to help you feel a bit more confident as you navigate the journey of building your first home.