New LVR restrictions from the Reserve Bank are significantly changing the borrowing landscape of New Zealand. No longer restricted to Auckland, the limits now affect the whole of New Zealand, while the rules themselves have become significantly more intense.
The new loan-to-value (LVR) ratio restrictions have officially come into effect as of 1 September, but it appears that the rules are not quite set in stone yet.
In recent weeks the banks have tightened up their credit policies and specifically rules around non-residents being able to borrow. The changes came out of nowhere, but in reality the issue that banks have been forced to deal with has been brewing for some time.
“Second hand” properties are continuing to rise in value and of course the 30% deposits required to get funding are growing and getting harder to put together… So what other options are there?
Going to the gym. Saving an extra $20 every week. We all have different ideas for our resolutions in the new year, but what about those buying their first home?
When the RBNZ introduced the tighter LVR restrictions across Auckland in November last year, many investors might have clutched their pearls and said a few Hail Marys.
We have just launched Squirrel Money which is a new peer-to-peer lending platform. It's early days and we know we have a hard journey ahead of us.
Mortgage interest rates are set to stay low for the foreseeable future but I think they are very much now at their lowest point.
The Reserve Bank’s new 70% LVR policy feels like a headless chicken moment.
It is a scary question and one for which I don't have a reliable answer. There will be a market correction at some point in the not too distant future.
The Reserve Bank announced today that new builds will be exempt from the recent LVR restrictions.