http://www.keamortgages.co.nz/blog/ The latest Blog feeds from www.keamortgages.co.nz en-us Sun, 14 Jun 2026 17:11:27 +1200 Rocketspark http://www.keamortgages.co.nz/blog/post/165526/ Following the RBNZ’s closely split decision on 27 May to hold the OCR at 2.25%, the outlook from both the RBNZ and Bank economists has clearly shifted more hawkish.𝟭𝟮-𝗺𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗵 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗲𝗻𝘀𝘂𝘀 𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄:Bank economists are increasingly aligned that the OCR will be higher over the next year, with forecasts generally pointing to at least 50–100 basis points of increases within 12 months. Some, like ANZ, suggest the path could be earlier and steeper ... Thu, 28 May 2026 09:18:15 +1200 http://www.keamortgages.co.nz/blog/#post165526 http://www.keamortgages.co.nz/blog/post/163275/why-structuring-your-home-loan-matters-in-an-uncertain-world/ 🌍 Recent global events remind us how unpredictable the future can be. From geopolitical tensions, a pandemic to natural disasters, oil price shocks to shifting foreign and domestic policies, many factors that influence interest rates sit well outside our control. ❓ This uncertainty is one of the key reasons we often recommend splitting lending across multiple loans, each fixed for different terms. Rather than placing all debt into a single fixed rate period, spreading loans more e... Fri, 10 Apr 2026 10:25:32 +1200 http://www.keamortgages.co.nz/blog/#post163275 http://www.keamortgages.co.nz/blog/post/160374/ Thinking about building this year? Here’s what’s happening across the Canterbury region and why 2026 is shaping up to be a strong window for new builds.🔣𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀: 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗬𝗼𝘂 𝗖𝗮𝗻 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝗻 𝗔𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱With the Official Cash Rate holding at 2.25%, we’re sitting at the bottom of the interest rate cycle — offering a stable borrowing environment before incremental increases expec... Thu, 12 Feb 2026 12:38:01 +1300 http://www.keamortgages.co.nz/blog/#post160374 http://www.keamortgages.co.nz/blog/post/157029/ 🔣 RBNZ cut OCR to 2.25% on 26 November 2025, a modest but cautious -0.25% move. 📉The OCR has dropped from a peak of 5.50% in July 2024, marking a -3.25% decline over the past 17-months. 💵Annual CPI inflation was +3% in Sept 2025, at top of the 1–3% RBNZ target band.💼Mild recovery signs seen in late-2025; labour market stabilising.💽Policy direction will be data-driven going forward, though easing cycle may be complete. ... Mon, 01 Dec 2025 09:06:32 +1300 http://www.keamortgages.co.nz/blog/#post157029 http://www.keamortgages.co.nz/blog/post/156465/ Increase repayments on a $600,000 5% average 30-year mortgage just once by 5% in your first year and you could:🔹 Pay off your mortgage 3 years faster🔹 Save $66,315 in interestEven one small increase adds up.💪 Increase repayments +5% 𝙚𝙖𝙘𝙝 𝙮𝙚𝙖𝙧 and pay-off your mortgage nearly 14 years faster and save $321,026 interest.... Mon, 24 Nov 2025 11:10:47 +1300 http://www.keamortgages.co.nz/blog/#post156465 http://www.keamortgages.co.nz/blog/post/153805/how-id-borrow-today-and-why-you-might-too/ 📉 With the Reserve Bank accelerating their rate cut yesterday, fixed mortgage rates may be near this cycle's low.📊 To manage inflationary risk and smooth out exposure to future rate hikes, I’d look to split lending equally across multiple fixed terms — say 1️⃣, 3️⃣, and 5️⃣ years.📈 This strategy helps average out rates over time and cushions against market volatility.🔒 Personally, I’d lean toward fixing a portion for 5 years at 4.99% for long-term certainty, while s... Thu, 09 Oct 2025 14:05:07 +1300 http://www.keamortgages.co.nz/blog/#post153805 http://www.keamortgages.co.nz/blog/post/149184/june-2025-market-update-/ 🦜𝗡𝗭 𝗠𝗶𝗴𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗧𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗱𝘀• Net migration to NZ dropped to +𝟭𝟱,𝟬𝟬𝟬 in the year to May 2025, down from +80,300 a year earlier and +135,000 in Oct 2023.• NZ 𝗹𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝟯𝟬,𝟬𝟬𝟬 𝗽𝗲𝗼𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗔𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗹𝗶𝗮 in 2024.• Stats NZ data long-term average for May years (2002–2019) shows +𝟭𝟭𝟵,𝟮𝟬𝟬 𝗮𝗿𝗿𝗶𝘃𝗮𝗹𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝟵𝟭,𝟱𝟬... Fri, 18 Jul 2025 09:54:47 +1200 http://www.keamortgages.co.nz/blog/#post149184 http://www.keamortgages.co.nz/blog/post/143997/ 〽️ In times of heightened uncertainty, it's crucial to adapt. Here are some key takeaways following the 9 April OCR announcement:⏭️ Fixed Mortgage Rates: Opting for medium to long-term fixed mortgage rates can provide stability by eliminating volatility in cash flows, allowing you to focus on other financial impacts.⏭️ Market Instability: The election of Trump introduced significant risk, affecting equities and causing market adjustments. This heightened risk is expected to persist t... Thu, 10 Apr 2025 12:49:07 +1200 http://www.keamortgages.co.nz/blog/#post143997 http://www.keamortgages.co.nz/blog/post/143954/ 🏦 The RBNZ Monetary Policy Committee has cut the OCR by 25 basis points to 3.5% as of 9 April 2025.💱 Inflation is stable, but weak household spending and global trade barriers pose risks.👥 The Committee is ready to adjust further if needed.Get in touch with Kea Mortgages for your next mortgage re-fix.... Wed, 09 Apr 2025 16:16:21 +1200 http://www.keamortgages.co.nz/blog/#post143954 http://www.keamortgages.co.nz/blog/post/143331/march-2025-market-update/ 🚦 The NZ Valocity House Price Index rose 1.5% since its 2024 trough with a national average house price of $969,939 as at March.💡 Lower mortgage rates have shifted the market's volume and direction, fostering optimism in Q1 2025. Lower rates being directly correlated to OCR declines from 5.5% in August 2024 to 3.75% today.🏔️ South Island: lower volume and lower price regions e.g. West Coast saw the strongest growth, while Queenstown & Canterbury also performed well compared to the... Tue, 25 Mar 2025 15:57:00 +1300 http://www.keamortgages.co.nz/blog/#post143331