FAQs

  • We Work for You: Independent advice focused on your best interests, not the banks’.
  • No Cost to You: Free service for most residential loans.
  • Nationwide Service: Helping clients across all of New Zealand.
  • Access to All Lenders: Connections with major banks and lenders to find the best options for you.
  • FMA Member: Committed to professional and ethical lending practices.
  • Simplifying Mortgages: We make the process clear, easy, and stress-free.
  • Personalized Support: Tailored solutions to match your unique goals.
  • Ongoing Help: We’re here for you, even after your loan is settled.

At Cross Country Mortgages, we’re here to make home financing simple, smart, and stress-free. Let us help you achieve your homeownership dreams!

For most of the loans we handle, there are no fees—our service is completely free to you. However, in certain situations, specific fees may apply. Rest assured, we will always inform you upfront if any fees are involved, so there are no surprises. Transparency is at the heart of what we do.

The amount you can borrow for a home loan depends on your personal financial situation, as well as the lender you choose and their specific policies. Each lender evaluates factors like your income, expenses, credit score, and overall financial health to determine how much they’re willing to lend. This means the amount you qualify for may vary depending on the lender’s assessment of your circumstances. We’ll help you navigate these details to find the best loan option for your needs.

The amount of deposit required depends on your individual circumstances and how each lender evaluates your borrowing capacity.

As a general guide, saving a deposit of at least 20% of the property’s value is often recommended. However, some lenders may allow you to borrow with a smaller deposit, as low as 5%. In these cases, you may need to pay Lender’s Mortgage Insurance (LMI), which helps protect the lender but enables you to enter the property market sooner.

We’ll help you understand your options and work with you to determine the best approach based on your financial situation and goals.

A fixed rate home loan locks in your interest rate for a specific period, typically ranging from 6 months to 5 years. During this time, your interest rate remains unchanged, providing certainty and stability for your repayments. This can make budgeting easier, as you’ll know exactly how much to pay each month, regardless of market fluctuations. Once the fixed term ends, your loan will typically revert to a variable rate unless you choose to fix it again. We can help you decide if a fixed rate loan is the right option for your financial goals.

A variable rate home loan has an interest rate that can change over time, depending on market conditions and decisions made by your lender. This means your repayments may increase or decrease in response to shifts in the economy or changes to the official cash rate. While this introduces some uncertainty, variable rates often come with added flexibility, such as the ability to make extra repayments or access features like offset accounts. We can help you weigh the pros and cons to determine if a variable rate loan suits your financial needs.

The First Home Grant, administered by Kāinga Ora, is a government initiative designed to provide financial assistance to first-time homebuyers. It offers a cash grant to help eligible buyers with their deposit. However, as of now, Kāinga Ora has paused accepting new applications for the First Home Grant until further notice, following government direction.

If you’re a first-time buyer, we recommend staying updated on any changes to the program and exploring other options to support your homeownership journey. We’re here to help guide you through the process and find the best solutions for your needs.