Gloomy home ownership results

Finance and Mortgage Advisers Association of New Zealand (FAMNZ) managing director Peter White says while the results of the survey by market research agency Perceptive aren’t surprising, many would-be owners have more options than they realise.

White says many Kiwis turned down for finance when approaching a bank directly, falsely believe there are no other options.

“Banks provide great facilities and products but the misconception that a bank is the sole source of lending is preventing many aspiring homeowners from realising their dreams.”

“There have been many cases when an adviser has arranged financing or refinancing after a bank has said no,” White says.

“There are other lenders outside the traditional banks with different criteria, so aspiring homeowners should see a mortgage adviser first, but also if they’re knocked back by a bank.”

Mortgage advisers also have access to non-bank lenders and each borrower has different needs and often a bank product may not be the best fit, but this doesn’t mean there is no path to home ownership.

“For example, self-employed people who can’t show a regular wage may not fit the criteria for some traditional bank products, so a mortgage adviser may in some situations recommend a non-bank lender as the most suitable option.

“Many of these non-bank lenders are not accessible to the public and only available through a mortgage adviser.”

He says as good as many bank products are, “a bank can only offer you the products they have, and these often don’t consider the financial circumstances of the borrower.”

With interest rates predicted to drop again next week, White says those who want to enter the market or refinance, should  ask a mortgage adviser to provide options.