That Home Loan Hub

Wondering whether to build your dream home with a friend or go with a major construction company? You're not alone. The unexpected financial implications of this choice can be staggering – sometimes reaching six figures. The construction industry is bouncing back across New Zealand, with Otago leading the charge at 9% above its 2022 peak. As more Kiwis consider building, they're facing t...

The housing market continues to present challenges across New Zealand despite conditions that should theoretically stimulate growth. Median house prices have dropped 0.5% year-on-year to $761,000, even as interest rates have fallen below 5% for the first time since 2022. This unexpected scenario raises important questions about consumer confidence and broader economic health. For first home buyers...

What's holding you back from homeownership? Fear? Uncertainty? The belief that you're simply not ready? In this heartfelt episode, we unpack a common phenomenon we've encountered countless times - people who are financially prepared to buy their first home but mentally convinced they aren't. We share the story of a migrant couple we recently met who, despite having $90,000 in K...

Ready for a financial shakeup? The Reserve Bank's upcoming October 8th OCR announcement has the mortgage market buzzing with anticipation. What started as whispers of a modest 0.25% cut has evolved into predictions of a substantial 0.5% reduction – the largest we've seen since the COVID emergency response. New Zealand's economy is struggling, with GDP down 0.9%, prompting decisive a...

Money well spent or down the drain? That's the question many Kiwis ask about their insurance premiums. The answer becomes crystal clear when you learn that insurance companies are paying out a staggering $95 million MORE each year than the year before. Not just $95 million total—but $95 million additional dollars annually. While traditional claims for cancer, heart attacks, and strokes contin...

Wondering why your life insurance premiums keep climbing every year? There's a better way! Rebecca, our insurance specialist, reveals the power of level life insurance - a game-changing option many New Zealanders don't know exists. Imagine locking in your premium at age 18 and still paying that same amount at 99! While level premiums cost more upfront, they can save you thousands upon th...

Could you save a million dollars for medical expenses if disaster struck tomorrow? This revealing conversation challenges the popular notion that "self-insurance" through savings is a viable alternative to traditional insurance policies. We dive deep into a sobering real-life account of a young man whose life changed dramatically at age 26. Perfectly healthy one day—climbing poles as a l...

What would happen to your family if you couldn't work tomorrow? That's the confronting question at the heart of our discussion about New Zealand's underinsurance crisis. The statistics are startling - 70% of Kiwis are underinsured, with only 38% having life cover and even fewer with income protection or trauma insurance. This protection gap leaves countless families financially vuln...

Ever wondered if insurance companies really have your back when disaster strikes? Our latest conversation with Rebecca, The Homlon Hub's resident insurance advisor, tackles the elephant in the room – the widespread erosion of trust in insurance providers. Rebecca dives deep into why many New Zealanders believe insurers are actively looking for ways to avoid paying claims. This skepticism, lar...

Bringing parents to New Zealand just got more complicated. The government's new extended parent visa offers families the chance to reunite for up to five years (extendable to ten), but there's a major roadblock many weren't expecting: mandatory health insurance. This episode unpacks the "chicken and egg" dilemma facing families across New Zealand. Parents need comprehensiv...

The financial landscape for Kiwi homeowners is shifting dramatically as interest rates continue their downward trend. In our latest discussion, we dive deep into what these changes mean for your mortgage and financial wellbeing. With the Reserve Bank recently cutting the Official Cash Rate by 25 basis points and signaling two more reductions by year-end (targeting 2.5%), we're witnessing rate...

Money talk makes most people uncomfortable, but ignoring the elephant in the room won't prepare you for what's coming. The largest generational wealth transfer in history is underway as Baby Boomers begin passing their substantial assets – primarily property – to their children. This wealth represents decades of hard work, careful spending, and meticulous money management by a generation...

The retirement landscape in New Zealand is changing dramatically, and what we've taken for granted may not be there when today's workers reach their golden years. This eye-opening discussion explores the demographic time bomb facing our nation – with birth rates dropping to just 1.5 children per woman and an aging population that will place unprecedented strain on government resources. W...

The technological landscape is shifting beneath our feet at unprecedented speed. Fresh from attending the New Zealand Shareholders Association conference, we dive into the transformative potential of artificial intelligence and what it means for your financial future. While AI cannot predict market movements, it's revolutionising how we conduct investment research. Ask it to analyse a company...

The exhilarating moment when you receive the keys to your first home marks just the beginning of your homeownership journey. After the champagne toast and unpacking those moving boxes, there's a crucial next chapter that many first-time buyers overlook. What exactly should you be doing now to protect both your investment and your future? We dive into three essential considerations that could...

Drowning in debt doesn't have to mean the end of your homeownership dreams. Our latest conversation tackles the often overwhelming challenge of high-interest consumer debt that keeps many New Zealanders up at night. We've seen it all—car loans with eye-watering 20-25% interest rates, cultural obligations creating financial strain, and predatory lenders taking advantage of desperate situa...

Fresh from winning the "Most Engaged Team" award at our national conference, mortgage advisor James Buchanan shares valuable insights that directly impact homeowners and buyers across New Zealand. This engaging conversation reveals how the connections we build with bank decision-makers translate into real benefits for clients, especially in those crucial moments when a mortgage applicati...

Dreaming of building your perfect home? Before you break ground, you need to understand how banks approach new builds differently from established properties. This eye-opening episode reveals the hidden financial complexities that can make or break your construction journey. We explore the three main building pathways - turnkey packages, progressive payments, and labour-only builds - each with dra...

Looking to make the most of your retirement years but find yourself house-rich and cash-poor? Our latest deep dive into reverse mortgages might just offer the financial flexibility you've been searching for. Reverse mortgages have earned a somewhat tarnished reputation over the years, but as we explore in this episode, they serve a valuable purpose for specific situations. For many Kiwi retir...

Ready to take the plunge into home ownership? You might be surprised to learn that right now could be your golden opportunity.  Professor Buchanan joins us to unpack why current market conditions are uniquely favourable for first home buyers. Gone are the days of frantic multi-offer scenarios—today's buyers often find themselves with the luxury of time and negotiating power on properties that...

What does football have to do with financial freedom? Everything, according to our latest conversation with Khounch about recent industry conferences that left us inspired and motivated to make real change in our communities. The excitement begins with Mike Pirro's new sponsorship of A-League football teams - a move that demonstrates their commitment to supporting communities and helping peop...

The financial landscape in New Zealand is shifting in fascinating ways following the recent 0.25% drop in the Official Cash Rate. After years of climbing interest rates and market uncertainty, we're witnessing a welcome change that's creating unique opportunities for homeowners, first-time buyers, and investors alike. Six-month fixed interest rates have fallen below 5% for the first time...

Ready to transform your rental situation into homeownership? You might be closer than you think. The current economic climate has prompted many landlords to reassess their property portfolios, creating a golden opportunity for tenants to purchase the homes they already live in and love. Our mortgage advisors are witnessing firsthand how this trend is benefiting both parties. Landlords looking to d...

Ready to challenge everything you thought you knew about getting on the property ladder? Mortgage advisor Jordan returns to That Home Long Half to share eye-opening insights that will transform your homeownership journey. The market has shifted dramatically in favour of first-time buyers. Jordan reveals how clients with just 5% deposits are successfully securing mortgages, including a remarkable c...

Building your dream home shouldn't keep you up at night, yet for many Kiwis, the prospect has become increasingly daunting. With construction costs soaring and over 1,100 building companies folding in just two years, the anxiety is understandable. However, as we explore in this candid discussion, building remains a viable and rewarding path for those properly prepared. For homeowners with dif...