Frequently Asked Questions

We provide expert advice and secure the best possible loan options for:

1. Home loans
2. Business loans
3. Commercial loans
4. Finance Health Checks

A bank can only offer you their own specific products. A financial adviser works for you, comparing options across multiple lenders to find the best fit and negotiate competitive rates. We save you time, handle the paperwork, and give you unbiased advice that serves your interests.

For most standard residential home loans, there is typically no direct cost to you. We are paid a commission by the lender once your loan settles. This is a standard industry practice and does not add any cost to your loan.

However, fees may apply in specific cases, such as:

• Complex commercial or business lending
• Securing loans through non-bank lenders
• Instances where a loan is repaid very early

Should your situation require a fee, all costs will always be clearly disclosed and agreed upon upfront, guaranteeing no hidden surprises.

We are open from 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM, Monday to Friday. We are also available on weekends by appointment.

It all starts with a free initial consultation where we listen to your unique goals. From there, we collect your details, analyse your financial position, and present a tailored strategy. Once you are confident in the plan, we handle all the paperwork, submit the applications, and advocate for you until your loan is secured.

We serve clients all across New Zealand. While we love meeting face-to-face, we are fully equipped to manage your entire financial journey securely via phone or video consultations. You can easily book a free consultation directly through our website to get started.

Absolutely. We specialize in simplifying complex financial decisions and providing clear, structured advice.

Getting started is simple. Click “Book a Free Consultation,” button and schedule a consultation to talk about your goals to find out the best strategy suits you.

While a 20% deposit will secure the best interest rates, buying a home with less is absolutely possible. Depending on your situation:

• 10–19% Deposits: Often achievable, though they may involve a Low Equity Margin (LEM).
• 5–9% Deposits: Possible through the First Home Loan scheme.

Your deposit doesn't have to be purely cash savings, either. It can be built from a combination of your KiwiSaver, a First Home Grant, personal savings, or family gifts. We simplify this entire journey by showing you exactly what you qualify for and securing a strong pre-approval so you can house-hunt with absolute confidence.

You don't always need to use your cash savings. While investing generally requires a larger deposit than buying a first home, there are strategic ways to fund it:

• The Standard: A 35% deposit is the standard requirement.
• The Alternatives: A smaller deposit (20–34%) may be possible with some lenders, or by using existing equity.

If you already own a home, unlocking your usable equity is a very common and powerful strategy to cover this deposit without dipping into your personal savings. We can review your financial position and set up a smart loan structure that lets you purchase your next property with confidence.

Yes, new builds often come with distinct funding advantages compared to buying an existing property.

• The Deposit: Banks can frequently lend with just a 10% deposit for new builds.
• The Advantage: This lower requirement is possible because new builds are often entirely exempt from standard Loan-to-Value Ratio (LVR) restrictions.

While minimum deposit requirements will always depend on your individual financial situation, we will work directly with the lenders on your behalf to maximise your options. We navigate the complexities of these exemptions to secure the ideal construction or turnkey finance for your project.

Absolutely. Construction finance requires specialised knowledge. We help navigate the complexities of turnkey builds, construction contracts, and progress payments to ensure your funding flows smoothly at every stage of your project.

Simply accepting the default offer could cost you thousands in the long run. We proactively step in to handle the renewal process for you. Here is how we ensure you get the best outcome:

• Market-Wide Access: We access a wide range of lenders to compare rates and find niche policies that suit your specific needs.
• Expert Negotiation: We leverage our industry relationships to negotiate for better interest rates, cashback offers, and terms on your behalf—saving you from the back-and-forth hassle.
• Strategic Structuring: Beyond just finding the lowest rate, we strategically structure your loan with a mix of products to reduce overall interest costs and align with your long-term goals.‍
• Ongoing Support: We provide continuous support and regular reviews to ensure your loan remains optimised for your financial situation as your life evolves.

While the total timeline can vary depending on the complexity of your situation and how quickly you can provide your documents, the process generally follows these steps:

• Preparation (1–2 days): You gather and provide your financial information and necessary documents to us.
• Assessment (1 day): We review your financial position and design a tailored lending strategy for your goals.
• Bank Application (5–10 business days): We submit your application to the chosen lender and manage the process until they issue an outcome.
• Final Approval: After any remaining lender conditions are met, the bank issues your final, unconditional approval.
• Settlement: Your solicitor organises the final signing and the transfer of funds on your settlement day.

We proactively manage this entire timeline on your behalf to ensure the process moves as quickly and smoothly as possible.

We design strategic finance structures for every stage of your business lifecycle. To ensure you get the best terms, we negotiate across a wide network of main banks, flexible non-bank lenders, and specialist private funders. Our core business lending solutions include:

• Business Acquisition & Franchise Loans: Finance to purchase or buy into an existing business or franchise, often encompassing working capital and equipment.
• Term Loans & Expansion: Lump-sum loans repaid over a fixed term (1–10 years) to effectively fuel your business expansion.
• Working Capital & Overdrafts: Revolving lines of credit and cash flow solutions designed to bridge gaps—meaning you only pay interest on what you use.
• Asset & Equipment Finance: Leases, hire purchases, and fast finance for the vehicles, machinery, tech, or tools your business needs to operate.
• Trade & Invoice Finance: Specialised facilities that unlock the cash trapped in unpaid invoices or international supply chains.‍
• For Commercial Real Estate: Commercial property loans for purchasing offices, warehouses, or shops, plus progressive drawdowns for development and construction projects.

Finding the right loan is a strategic decision, not just a matter of getting approved. We draw on over two decades of banking experience to evaluate your unique situation across five key areas, ensuring we match you with the perfect lender and loan structure:

• Your Core Goal: We align the loan to your exact purpose—whether that is a Term Loan to buy a business, Asset Finance for new vehicles, or an Overdraft to bridge cash flow gaps.
• Your Timeline: If you need capital urgently (1–3 days), we can navigate fast, flexible non-bank lenders. If you have more time (2–3+ weeks), we can secure highly competitive bank terms.
• Your Business Stage: Start-ups often require specialist, flexible funders, while businesses trading for 2+ years typically have access to a wider suite of bank options. We know exactly who to approach based on your history.
• Your Financial Position: We review your current financials, GST returns, and available security to ensure we present the strongest possible application on your behalf.‍
• Your Need for Flexibility: We structure the loan around how you operate. This might mean predictable repayments via a Fixed Term Loan, the "draw-and-repay" freedom of a Line of Credit, or repaying based on your invoice flow.

When assessing your application, lenders typically focus on these key areas. We help you navigate these criteria to present the strongest possible case:

• Business Age & Track Record: Most traditional lenders prefer at least 1–2 years of trading history. Funding is absolutely available for start-ups, though the options are more specialised, and we can guide you to the right funders.
• Financial Health: Lenders will look at your up-to-date financial statements and GST returns. Demonstrating positive cash flow and manageable debt significantly boosts your chances of approval.
• Future Income Projections: If your business is poised for growth and your future income is projected to be stronger than your past performance, we can help. We work alongside you and the lenders to strategically structure your debt based on your forward-looking projections, securing the support you need now to scale.
• Business Structure & Industry: All structures are eligible—whether you operate as a sole trader, a company, or a trust—though lending criteria can occasionally vary depending on your specific industry.
• Security & Collateral: Offering assets, such as commercial property or equipment, as security can strengthen your application and secure better rates. Unsecured loans are also available, though they typically have lower borrowing limits.
• Credit History: A clean business and personal credit history is ideal. However, because we work with a wide network of lenders, we know exactly who to approach—some lenders will overlook minor credit issues if your current cash flow is strong.

Instead of guessing what a bank wants to see, we will review your unique financial situation, match you with lenders who specialise in your industry, and expertly package your application to maximise your chances of approval.

Uneven cash flow shouldn't hold your business back. We can arrange flexible lending solutions such as business overdrafts, lines of credit, or invoice finance to unlock tied-up capital and ensure you have the daily liquidity needed to operate smoothly.

Yes, early repayment is typically allowed and is an excellent way to reduce your overall interest costs and clear debt faster. However, conditions do apply depending on your structure:

• The Benefits: Most loans offer the flexibility to make extra payments or clear the balance early, immediately improving your financial position.
• Potential Costs: Some lenders may charge a break fee or early exit penalty, particularly if you are locked into a fixed-term or fixed-rate loan.
• The Fine Print: The specific rules and fees will always depend on your exact loan type and the individual lender.

Because these details are built into the loan contract, it is crucial to review the terms before making a lump sum payment. We can help you navigate your specific contract and weigh any potential fees against the interest savings to ensure it is the most cost-effective move for your business.

Yes, we frequently help business owners secure commercial loans for owner-occupied properties. We will structure the finance to match your business's cash flow needs and operational timeline.

We specialise in structuring finance for complex commercial growth. Whether it’s your first commercial investment property, a large-scale subdivision, or a commercial and residential development project, we navigate specialist lenders to secure the right terms for your project.

Our Financial Health Check is a core strategic advisory service. We evaluate your current financial readiness, perform a gap analysis, and design a tailored roadmap completely focused on achieving your unique long-term financial and property goals.

Yes. Every strategy we create is tailored to your specific goals. We do not use one-size-fits-all solutions.