Apply Now

Smarter Property & Finance Decisions Start Here

From expert mortgage tips to must-know market updates, Luminate is here to help you move forward with clarity.

luminate-financial-group-insights-blog

Latest Financial Insights

Search Articles
Filter by Topic
All Topics ▾
All Topics Property Investments (46) Property Development & Subdivisions (40) Refinancing (34) First Home Buyers (25) Luminate Services (12) Construction Financing (10) Insights (9) Deposits Explained (7) Non-Bank (7) Budget & Affordability (5) Explore (5) Getting Started (5) How It Works (5) Mortgage Basics (5) Deposit & Savings (4) Eligibility & Schemes (4) Growing Your Portfolio (4) Guide (4) Legal & Structure (4) Life Changes & Refinancing (4) Opinion (4) Picking the Right Site (4) Planning and Zoning Rules (4) The Buyers Journey (4) The Development Process (4) What is Property Development? (4) After the Build (3) Costs & Fees (3) Councils and Consultants (3) Credit & Eligibility (3) Debt Consolidation (3) Equity & Property Value (3) Feasibility and Financial Modelling (3) Finance Structures for Investors (3) Foundations (3) Funding Your Development (3) Interest Rates & Savings (3) Intro (3) Investment Goals (3) Investment Properties (3) Investment Strategy (3) Lending Switching (3) Market Conditions & Timing (3) Mindset & Education (3) Picking The Right Location (3) Property Management (3) Property ROI (3) Property Types (3) Refinancing Basics (3) Rental Yields & Cashflow (3) Risks (3) Rules & Restrictions (3) Stakeholders & Key Players (3) Subdividing Land (3) Subdivision Basics (3) The Consents Process (3) The Refinance Process (3) Why Invest in Property? (3) Why Luminate Financial Group (3) Working Capital (3) Bridge Loans (2) Comparison (2) Discovery (2) Documents & Preparation (2) Starter (2) Success (2) Tax Rules (2) Advanced (1) Alternative Lending Solutions (1) Best Practices (1) Deep-Dive (1) Deposit Requirements (1) Emergency Property Finance (1) Employment Transition Finance (1) Equity Deposits (1) First Home Deposits (1) Investment Deposits (1) KiwiSaver Deposits (1) Lender Comparison (1) Optimize (1) Portfolio Lending (1) Property Compliance Funding (1) Property Development (1) Property Invesments (1) Savings Strategies (1) Use Cases (1) Why Choose (1)
Sort Articles
Project timelines directly impact financing costs, market positioning, and profitability. This comprehensive guide explores typical development timelines across different project types while highlighting factors

Property Development Timeline in New Zealand: Planning Your Project Schedule

Picture of Trent Bradley Trent Bradley

Understanding realistic timeframes is crucial for successful property development in New Zealand. Project timelines...

Read Full Article
Building a house in New Zealand is one of the largest investments most families will ever make, yet many people underestimate the true costs involved.

The True Cost of Building a House in New Zealand: What You Really Need to Budget

Picture of Trent Bradley Trent Bradley

Building a house in New Zealand is one of the largest investments most families will ever make, yet many people...

Read Full Article
Learn how to use equity as a deposit for your next property in NZ. Understand equity release, LVR limits, risks, and step-by-step process for leveraging your home.

Using Equity as a House Deposit in NZ: Complete Guide to When and How

Picture of Trent Bradley Trent Bradley

If you already own property in New Zealand, you're sitting on a potential deposit for your next purchase. Using...

Read Full Article
New Zealand's diverse property market offers numerous development opportunities, each with unique characteristics, requirements, and potential returns. Understanding different types of property development helps investors and developers choose projects that align with their expertise, capital availability, and market objectives.

Types of Property Development in New Zealand: A Comprehensive Guide

Picture of Trent Bradley Trent Bradley

New Zealand's diverse property market offers numerous development opportunities, each with unique characteristics,...

Read Full Article
When planning to build your dream home in New Zealand, choosing the right financing structure is just as important as selecting your builder or designing your floor plan.

Construction Loans vs Home Loans: Which is Right for You?

Picture of Trent Bradley Trent Bradley

When planning to build your dream home in New Zealand, choosing the right financing structure is just as important as...

Read Full Article
Find out exactly how much deposit you need for an investment property in NZ. Learn about LVR rules, using equity, and strategic approaches to building a property portfolio.

Investment Property Deposits in NZ: How Much Do You Actually Need in 2025?

Picture of Trent Bradley Trent Bradley

Investment property deposit requirements in New Zealand are significantly higher than for owner-occupied homes. Recent...

Read Full Article
Compare deposit requirements between banks and non-bank lenders in NZ. Understand the differences, pros and cons, and which option suits your situation.

Home Loan Deposit Rules: Bank vs Non-Bank Lenders in NZ

Picture of Trent Bradley Trent Bradley

When it comes to home loans in New Zealand, banks dominate the market—but they're not your only option. Non-bank...

Read Full Article
Learn exactly how to withdraw KiwiSaver for your first home deposit in NZ. Step-by-step guide covering eligibility, applications, and maximizing your withdrawal.

How to Use KiwiSaver for Your House Deposit in NZ | Complete 2025 Guide

Picture of Trent Bradley Trent Bradley

Your KiwiSaver balance can be one of your most valuable tools when saving for a first home. Understanding exactly how...

Read Full Article
One of the most critical decisions you'll make when building your dream home is choosing between a fixed price or cost-plus building contract.

Fixed Price or Cost-Plus: Choosing the Right Building Contract in New Zealand

Picture of Trent Bradley Trent Bradley

One of the most critical decisions you'll make when building your dream home is choosing between a fixed price or...

Read Full Article
Luminate Financial Group
Important Information
Useful Links

Luminate Financial Group Limited (FSP765531) is a licensed Financial Advice Provider (Class 2 FAP), authorised to provide regulated advice on home loans, commercial and business lending, and specialist finance.

Luminate Finance Limited (FSP449126) is registered under the Financial Service Providers (Registration and Dispute Resolution) Act 2008 to provide consumer credit contracts and non-consumer credit contracts. It is not a licensed Financial Advice Provider and does not offer regulated financial advice. Investment opportunities are available only to investors who meet specific wholesale investor criteria as defined in the Financial Markets Conduct Act 2013. These are not regulated offers and are not open to retail investors.

All lending is subject to credit assessment and responsible lending obligations under the Credit Contracts and Consumer Finance Act 2003. We follow the Responsible Lending Code to ensure loans are suitable and affordable for our clients.

¹Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future results. Fixed rates are subject to change. Terms, conditions, lending criteria, fees, and charges apply. Images may be indicative only.

© 2025 Luminate. All rights reserved.