Independent mortgage advice for people buying, refinancing or investing across Wellington City — from Te Aro apartments to hillside villas in Kelburn, Karori and Newtown.
Wellington City is one of the harder markets in the country to buy in — the mix of apartment stock, character houses on the hills, and leasehold titles means lenders assess each property very differently. What one bank will happily lend on, another will politely decline. Getting that assessment right before you make an offer is half the job.
Most of the buyers I work with in the city are either first-home buyers stretching their KiwiSaver against a two-bedroom apartment, or professional couples upgrading out of one. Refinances are heavy too — Wellington had a wave of buyers fix at higher rates in 2022–23 who are now rolling off, and there's real money to save by comparing all five main banks rather than defaulting back to the one you're with.
I don't charge you a fee — the bank pays me on settlement — and I'm not tied to a single lender. That means the recommendation is genuinely the best fit for your situation, not the bank whose branch happens to be closest.
Who I help here: Typical: first-home buyers eyeing a two-bed in Newtown or Mt Cook, professionals upgrading to a family home in Karori, or investors adding a city apartment.
KiwiSaver, the First Home Loan (5% deposit) and lender-by-lender criteria — I'll map the whole thing out for buyers looking in Wellington City.
If your fixed term is rolling off, I'll compare all five main banks side-by-side and negotiate cash contributions on your behalf.
Turnkey and progress-payment lending in Wellington City — including the 20% deposit exemption on new builds most people don't realise they qualify for.
Structuring investor lending so you don't cross-collateralise away future options, whether it's your first rental or your fifth.
Sometimes yes, sometimes no. Lenders treat apartments differently based on size (under 40–50m² is often declined), body corporate health, and whether the title is leasehold. I'll tell you which banks will look at the specific building before you fall in love with it.
First Home Loan house-price caps were removed in June 2022. Eligibility still depends on income, deposit, the property and the participating lender's assessment. We'll check those criteria against your situation.
No fee, no pressure, no jargon. I'll listen first, then tell you what's actually possible for Wellington City.
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