Squirrel Mortgage and Property News - March 2015

Lots to talk about this month.  First up, our new web site layout has launched.  Check it out and let me know what you think. The web site is the start of some big changes for us.  Squirrel has grown to a team of 25 now.  We're also about to launch a peer-to-peer lender in direct competition with Harmoney.  Squirrel Money will give you access to easy and low cost money to renovate your home, consolidate debts, help you through maternity leave, or replace the car. Below are some great articles this month to help challenge your thinking.  Mortgage rates have been getting driven still lower, so we look at what's driving that.  I ponder what a future that includes artificial intelligence will look like in "Rise of the Machines."  We also look at Property Investing and ask, are you investing or gambling? Enjoy the read! Cheers,   WHY EUROPE IS DRIVING DOWN FIXED MORTGAGE RATES TSB grabbed headlines in February when it came out with a 10 year fixed rate of 5.89%.  That is a sensational rate for 10-year money and we've been helping a number of investors jump into it, but how did we end up with a 10 year rate this low? RISE OF THE MACHINES - PART 1 Artificial Intelligence is just around the corner and will have a profound impact on our world.  Not only on robots and how we work, but on the way our whole economy and society operates.   PAY OFF YOUR MORTGAGE FASTER - HOW MUCH COULD YOU SAVE? It's always good to remind yourself about how much you can save paying that little bit extra off the mortgage.  We've created an Info-Graphic that shows you in cups of coffee the benefit of hitting the mortgage faster. GAMBLING WITH PROPERTY When making big financial decisions it is important to take into consideration risk and returns.  So often with property, investors ignore the risks and don't quantify the outcomes.  That's tantamount to gambling.  Are you a gambler? DOES YOUR HOUSE NEED A MAKEOVER? Mike Dahlberg is my partner in various property developments and was also the main force behind the many renovations and makeovers we've done over the past 5 years.  Whilst Mike and myself stopped that as a business, Mike is still available to project manage any clients wanting to makeover their home (as opposed to a major renovation).   He's just finished another one for one of our Squirrel clients with great feedback.  If you're keen to Makeover your property let one of the team at Squirrel know and we can sort you out with Mike or an architect or a builder or decorator.  We've got heaps of cost effective options and know all of the secrets to renovating on a budget. BUYING OFF PLAN Off-Plan purchases are both exempt from RBNZ deposit restrictions making it possible to buy a new home with as little as 5% deposit.  Also, from 1 April the new Kiwi Saver rules also kick in giving first home buyers a subsidy of up to $20,000 when buying new property below $550,000. If you haven't considered a new property it might be worth taking a look.  The latest project I've seen recently is Mt Richmond Mews in Mt Wellington.  This ones a bit different in that the buyer is settling on the land and then funding the construction through a managed build contract.       Whenever you buy a property you can feel like the odds are stacked against you. At Squirrel our impartial advice, influence and insider knowledge even out those odds. We'll help you sort out the deals from the duds, get you the inside word and go into bat for you with the banks (not with an actual bat, although we've come close). Disclosure Statement Unsubscribe Update preferences View email in browser 36-38 College Hill, Freeman's Bay, Auckland, New Zealand 1010. +64 9 376 9688 +64 9 376 9689 support@squirrel.co.nz Copyright 2013 Squirrel Mortgages. All Rights Reserved.