Kia Ora!
In this newsletter –
Hot tip of the month – Plan your Christmas spending and maximise savings
Did you know – How much New Zealanders spend over the Christmas season
First-home buyer tips – How to beat first-home buyer anxiety
Property – Will property prices return to 2021 highs?
Investments – Investing and risk profiles: it’s not a one-size-fits-all
Banks – Free money and legal services for refinance: could you be better off?
Reserve bank – More opportunities to enter the market sooner
Hot tip of the month
Plan your Christmas spending and maximise savings
1. Start by setting a realistic holiday budget. Include gifts, dining, décor , and extras. Treat it as a spending plan, not a restriction.
2. Make a gift list now and assign limits per person to avoid impulse buys. If funds are tight, consider DIY gifts using what you already have. Group gifting or Secret Santa can reduce costs while keeping the festive spirit alive.
3. Track major sale dates, e.g. Black Friday (28 Nov) and Cyber Monday (1 Dec).
4. Shop early for better deals and compare prices online.
5. Use loyalty programs, cashback apps, and a credit card rewards to stretch your budget.
6. Avoid ‘Buy Now Pay Later’ schemes unless you can clear any debt within the interest free-period. Budgeting in advance is a better option and ensures less stress during and after the season.
Did you know?
How much New Zealanders spend over the Christmas season
Did you know that New Zealanders spend over $6 billion during the Christmas season? That’s nearly 20% of annual retail sales packed into just a few weeks!
First-home buyer tips
How to beat first-home buyer anxiety
Buying your first home is exciting, but it’s also one of life’s most stressful milestones. Studies show over 40% of first-time buyers feel anxious throughout the process, and many describe it as “the most stressful event in modern life.”
You don’t need to be part of the 40%! Reduce your stress by:
Educating yourself: Understand the buying process, mortgage options, and market trends. Knowledge reduces uncertainty.
Getting financially ready: Review your budget, check your credit, and get pre-approved. This clarity eases affordability fears.
Build your support team: Surround yourself with trusted experts– mortgage and insurance advisers (Team BoB), building inspectors, and lawyers.
Stay flexible and patient: No home is perfect. Focus on your must-haves and be open to compromise.
Practice self-care: Don’t let the process consume you. Take breaks, exercise, and keep perspective. Use a buyer’s agent to do some of the legwork for you.
Feeling anxious about buying your first home? Let’s talk. You might be ready sooner than you think!
Book a call
Thoughts from Elise
And with a blink of an eye, it is November, and we are 55 days away from Christmas!
Spring storms have had devastating consequences, including loss of life, significant power outages, and severe damage to farms and livestock. FMG has reported that claims have already exceeded $10 million, mainly for damaged roofs, fencing, and irrigation systems. Our thoughts are with those who are affected.
I am working with clients to get them into their first homes, upgrade or downgrade to their new dream properties, and – my favourite – helping people to take years off their loans through refinances and restructures. The opportunity to receive cash back to reduce debt or to help with Christmas expenses is just the start of the benefits.
For those who aren’t aware, Sarah and I bought an “as-is where-is” property ten years ago. I got part way through the repairs and work prior to starting Building on Basics. This month, we got the architect back to reactivate the project and advise us on what needs to be done to finish it, given that it has been ten years!
Sarah and I have been making progress around the property. We’ve been reinstating some fencing, and our spring-clutter-clear-out continues as we make space to continue the renovations; we are keen to get the downstairs portion done.
Team BoB are looking to finish the year having helped more clients achieve their goals and protect their health and wealth.
Property
Will property prices return to 2021 highs?
Short to medium-term predictions (2025–2026)
Economists expect only gradual improvement. Capital Economics predicts 4% growth in 2025 and 6% in 2026, even with significant OCR cuts to 2.25%.
ANZ and other banks share similar views: recovery will be “slow and steady,” not a sharp rebound.
Long-term predictions
RNZ reports that house prices won’t return to 2021 peak levels until after 2029, citing affordability constraints, high mortgage rates, and economic headwinds.
Cotality and Valocity analysts suggest a more optimistic timeline for some regions, with 2026–2027 as a possible window for reaching pre-slump levels, assuming sustained annual gains of 4–5%.
Investments
Investing and risk profiles: it’s not one-size-fits-all
Your risk profile isn’t fixed across all your investment decisions. Why?
- You don’t invest all your resources at once.
- Each goal has its own time frame and risk tolerance.
Example:
Short-term savings require a conservative approach. You need to protect your capital, generate some income and grow it to keep up with inflation.
Whereas a retirement fund with a retirement date 15 years or more away requires a growth or aggressive strategy. For non-KiwiSaver funds, income is a bonus and you are seeking capital growth.
Tip: Think of your portfolio as a mix of strategies, tailored to each goal rather than a single setting for everything.
Not sure if your investments match your goals? Book a free risk profile review today and make sure your money is working where it matters most.
Banks
Free money and legal service for refinance: could you be better off?
You will often hear Elise say it is not just about the interest rate; it is about the structure.
Banks aren’t loyal, and neither should you be. There are opportunities in the market right now to refinance to get a better structure. It can come with a cashback from the bank and your legal costs covered.
Watch out for:
- Clawback clauses (2–3 years)
- Break fees if exiting early
- Extra costs for trusts or companies.
Our BoB advantage:
We secure cashback and legal deals, optimise loan structures, and avoid traps. Book a review with Elise to see if refinancing is the right move for you.
Reserve Bank
More opportunities to enter the market sooner
From 1 December 2025, the Reserve Bank of New Zealand (RBNZ) will ease Loan-to-Value Ratio (LVR) restriction
- Owner-occupiers: Banks can now allocate 25% of new lending to borrowers with deposits under 20% (up from 20%)
- Investors: Banks can allocate 10% of new lending to borrowers with deposits under 30% (up from 5%).
- Debt-to-Income (DTI) rules remain unchanged and continue to act as a guardrail against risky lending
What this means for:
First-home buyers
- It’s easier to get pre-approval with a smaller deposit
- The banks have more flexibility, but affordability and servicing tests still apply.
Investors:
- There’s a slightly easier entry with lower deposit requirements but DTIs and interest rates still limit borrowing.
Overall market:
- Economists expect limited impact on house prices – affordability and interest rates remain key drivers.
Insurance
Why you need an Insurance review
Recently, a client believed their existing cover was “good enough.” During a review, we discovered:
- Outdated terms that wouldn’t pay out under current circumstances
- Gaps in trauma and income protection that could leave them exposed
- Premium savings by restructuring policies without reducing benefits.
The outcome:
- We adjusted their cover to fit their budget and life stage
- We ensured claims would be paid quickly and fairly
- We added future-proof options, like guaranteed insurability for major life changes.
Why reviews are critical
- Life changes (new home, family, health) can make old policies inadequate
- Many people only discover issues at claim time when it’s too late
- Regular reviews uncover savings and prevent underinsurance.
Give Gordon a call to review your cover and discover any gaps and opportunities – gordon@bob.kiwi.nz or 022 503 9094.
Business
Confidence; Fake it ’til you make it
In business, it is easy to become overwhelmed, which can lead you to procrastinate. Often, the overwhelm comes from a lack of confidence.
“Fake it” isn’t about pretending. It’s about projecting confidence while you grow. Acting confident can help you feel confident, but:
- Do: Use it as a bridge, backed by learning and small wins.
- Don’t: Overdo it—authenticity builds client/customer trust long-term.
Tip: Admit what you don’t know, seek help, prepare well, and keep learning.
Want to boost confidence in your business decisions? Book a strategy session today.
We are always available for a chat about your situation.
Book a meeting or send us an email.
Until next time,
Elise and the Team