Search studies, brands and more…⌘ KExplore research

Evidence · Home lending

The questions and original answers

Explore every question and captured response in the home-lending study, including answers asked nationally and from four cities.

questions
193
captured answers
1,094
AI platforms
4
collected
11 October 2026

01

Every question, with its answers

Each question was written as a voter would ask it and went to all four assistants. Some were also asked from a town. Open a question to read every answer to it in full.

Showing 20 of 193 questions

Show all 193

02

The tables behind the study

Every figure on the study page comes from these tables. They are CSV files, which open in any spreadsheet.

  • Question catalogue

    questions.csv

    One row per question.

    Question ID, borrower, exact question, group and collected answers

    193rows

    Download question catalogue (CSV)

  • Answers

    answers.csv

    One row per answer, with its full text.

    Answer ID, question ID, borrower, assistant, city, words, coded recommendations, showed a link and full text

    1,094rows

    Download answers (CSV)

  • Sources by answer

    sources.csv

    One row for each website recorded as a source of an answer.

    Answer ID, question ID, assistant, city, website and publisher type

    4,574rows

    Download sources by answer (CSV)

  • Checks against official sources

    checks.csv

    One row per statement checked.

    Check, answer ID, assistant, what the answer said, verdict, what the source says, source and date

    4rows

    Download checks against official sources (CSV)

  • Recommendation coding

    recommendation-coding.csv

    One row per coded national loan-choice or support answer.

    Answer ID, question ID, borrower, assistant, question group, recommended lenders and supporting passages

    360rows

    Download recommendation coding (CSV)

  • Platform comparisons

    platform-recommendation-counts.csv

    One row per platform, lender and question group.

    Matched panel, recommended answers, denominator and supporting answer IDs

    105rows

    Download platform comparisons (CSV)

  • City comparisons

    city-recommendation-counts.csv

    One row per city, lender and question group.

    Matched panel, recommended answers, denominator and supporting answer IDs

    112rows

    Download city comparisons (CSV)

Use these tables to trace findings back to the original questions and answers. The full text of each answer is also on this page, under its question.

03

Read in full and checked

Some answers were read in detail or checked against official sources. Those appear on the study page, beside the findings they support.

ChatGPT · National

We're self-employed and buying a home. Should we find a mortgage adviser who works with business owners, or go straight to a bank?

I’d recommend starting with a mortgage adviser who has specific experience helping self-employed people and business owners buy homes in New Zealand. You can still approach your bank directly, but I’d use that as a comparison rather than your only option.

The key issue is often not whether your business earns enough money, but how a bank assesses that income. A good adviser who regularly works with self-employed borrowers can help you present your finances clearly and identify lenders whose lending criteria suit your circumstances.

Why an adviser may be better for you

  1. They understand how business income is assessed

If you pay yourselves through company salaries, shareholder drawings or dividends, your income may not look the same as that of a PAYE employee. An experienced adviser can help explain your income, business profits and financial commitments to lenders.

  1. They can compare different lenders

Banks don't necessarily assess every self-employed applicant identically. An adviser who works with a range of lenders may be able to identify a better fit than simply applying to your existing bank.

  1. They can help you prepare before applying

They can review your financial documents, flag potential concerns and help you understand what borrowing range might be realistic before you commit to a property.

The New Zealand Financial Markets Authority describes mortgage advisers as people who can assess your borrowing needs, compare lending options and manage the application through to settlement. Mortgage adviceWorking with a financial adviser

When going straight to a bank makes sense

A direct bank application can be a perfectly reasonable option if:

  • You have a straightforward business structure and stable, well-documented income.
  • Your accounts and tax returns are up to date, and your deposit is strong.
  • Your bank already understands your business and has indicated it can lend to you on competitive terms.
  • You prefer to deal directly with one lender and are comfortable comparing alternatives yourself.

The trade-off is that a bank can only offer you its own lending products. An adviser may have access to a wider range, although not necessarily every lender.

What to look for in a mortgage adviser

I'd prioritise someone who can answer these questions confidently:

  • Which lenders do you work with? Look for access to several banks, not just one.
  • How often do you arrange mortgages for self-employed borrowers? Ask about experience with your particular business structure.
  • How will lenders calculate our income? They should be able to explain how salary, shareholder drawings, business profits and one-off expenses might be assessed.
  • What will it cost us? Many advisers are paid by the lender, but some charge fees. Ask about upfront fees and any commission clawback charges if you refinance early. Mortgage adviceGetting advice

You can verify an adviser or their financial advice provider through New Zealand's Financial Service Providers Register.

Get your paperwork ready

Before your first meeting, start gathering:

  • Your last two years of business financial statements.
  • Your personal and business tax returns or IRD income summaries.
  • Recent personal and business bank statements.
  • Details of your deposit, existing debts and regular household spending.
  • Any current-year profit-and-loss figures, especially if the business has grown since your last accounts.

Two years of financial statements is a common starting point for bank applications, although some lenders may consider shorter trading histories. Preparing for a home loan appointmentGaining pre-approvalHow NZ banks assess self-employed income for a mortgage

My suggested approach

  1. Meet with a specialist mortgage adviser first and ask them to assess your borrowing position.
  2. Get an indicative borrowing range and understand which lenders are realistic options.
  3. Compare the proposed options with your own bank before committing to a mortgage.

You don't need to rule out your bank; it may end up offering the best deal. The aim is to avoid limiting yourselves before you know what's available.

One question that would help me tailor this to you

How are you both self-employed? For example, do you run a limited company and pay yourselves salaries or shareholder drawings, operate as sole traders, or work as contractors? And roughly how long have you been doing it?

That makes a difference to which lending options are worth exploring first.

Ask anything

ChatGPT can make mistakes. Check important info.

Captured 11 October 2026

Gemini · National

We're self-employed and buying a home. Should we find a mortgage adviser who works with business owners, or go straight to a bank?

As self-employed home buyers in New Zealand, your choice of how to approach the mortgage market will significantly impact your chances of approval. Generally speaking, working with a mortgage adviser who specializes in or regularly handles self-employed clients is strongly recommended over walking straight into a single bank.

The breakdown below explains why this route matters for business owners, how it compares to going direct, and how to navigate the process effectively.

Why Self-Employed Mortgages Are Different

PAYE employees can easily hand over three months of payslips. In contrast, New Zealand banks scrutinize self-employed income much more strictly. Lenders typically require:

  • The last two years of completed financial statements (Profit & Loss, Balance Sheet).
  • Corresponding IR3 personal tax returns and business tax summaries.
  • An analysis of "add-backs" (personal or one-off expenses run through the business that can be added back to your net profit to boost your apparent borrowing capacity).
  • GST returns and business bank statements to verify current cash flow.

Different banks treat net profit, shareholder salaries, retained earnings, and depreciation very differently. A bank that is conservative with self-employed structures might decline your application or offer a low borrowing limit, while another lender with more flexible policy will view your financials favorably.

Mortgage Adviser vs. Direct to Bank

Feature Mortgage Adviser (Broker) Going Direct to a Bank
Lender Access Compares options across a panel of multiple lenders (major banks and non-banks). Limited entirely to that specific bank’s internal credit policies and rates.
Handling Complexity Knows which lenders are friendly to self-employed income fluctuations, trusts, or companies. Frontline retail bank staff may lack the flexibility or authority to structure complex business income.
Cost Usually free for standard residential home loans (the lender pays the commission upon settlement). Free, but you only get one perspective.
Advocacy Acts as an intermediary to present your business narrative and "add-backs" clearly to the credit team. You must advocate for yourself directly with the bank’s internal assessors.

Strategic Next Steps

If you decide to move forward, a hybrid approach often yields the best results:

  1. Consult a Specialized Adviser Early: Look for an adviser with a proven track record handling self-employed and company structures. Ask them directly: "What percentage of your clients are self-employed, and which lenders on your panel are currently most flexible with business income?"
  2. Align with Your Accountant: Before applying, have your accountant prepare up-to-date management accounts, draft year-end statements if close to balance date, and outline a clear schedule of legitimate add-backs.
  3. Shop Around for Rates and Cashbacks: Ensure your adviser compares interest rates and cash contributions across multiple banks to make sure you aren't leaving money on the table.
Ask Gemini

Gemini is AI and can make mistakes.

Captured 11 October 2026

Google AI Mode · National

We're self-employed and buying a home. Should we find a mortgage adviser who works with business owners, or go straight to a bank?

For self-employed home buyers in New Zealand , going with a mortgage adviser who specifically understands business owners and complex income structures is almost always the stronger route compared to walking into a single bank.

When you are self-employed, New Zealand lenders do not just look at a couple of payslips. They have to untangle 2 years of financial statements, IR3s, business tax returns, and cashflow patterns. Different banks calculate "affordable income" very differently when factoring in retained earnings, depreciation, shareholder salaries, or write-offs.

A breakdown of how the two options compare for self-employed applicants highlights why an adviser usually has the edge:

Going to a Mortgage Adviser (Who Understands Self-Employed Clients)

  • Broader market access: An adviser shops your application across multiple main banks and non-bank lenders simultaneously. If Bank A's credit policy dislikes how your accountant structured your last financial year, the adviser can pivot to Bank B, which might have a much friendlier appetite for your specific industry.

  • Translation and packaging: A good adviser knows how to "tell the story" of your business to a bank's credit committee. They present your financials in a format underwriters prefer, cutting down on back-and-forth delays.

  • Strategy for complex setups: If you have been trading for less than 2 years, use a company/trust structure, or have fluctuating seasonal cash flow, a specialized adviser knows which lenders have flexibility (or "low-doc"/alternative options).

  • Cost: In New Zealand, mortgage advisers are generally free to you as the borrower because they are paid a commission by the lender upon settlement.

Going Straight to a Bank

  • Single viewpoint: You only get the policy, appetite, and interest rate of that specific bank. If their credit assessor decides your self-employed income is too volatile or doesn't fit their box, you get a flat "no," and you have to start the entire process over with a different institution.

  • Existing relationship leverage: If you have had your business and personal accounts with your current bank for years and have a pristine track record, they might offer smooth processing. However, retail bankers change frequently and are still bound by strict, centralized credit risk rules—loyalty doesn’t automatically buy a better policy exception.

  • The legwork is on you: You have to manage the negotiations, figure out why they are asking for specific ledger reconciliations, and shop around yourself if you want to compare rates or structures. [Canstar NZ]

If you'd like to share a bit more context, let me know:

  • How many years your business has been trading
  • What your general business structure is (sole trader, company, or trust)
  • Whether you already have a deposit saved up

I can give you a better idea of what lenders will look for in your specific situation.

Ask anything

Captured 11 October 2026

AI Overviews · National

We're self-employed and buying a home. Should we find a mortgage adviser who works with business owners, or go straight to a bank?

AI Overview

You should find a mortgage adviser who specializes in self-employed clients rather than going straight to a bank.

While going to a main bank like ANZ , ASB , BNZ , or Westpac is an option, banks have rigid underwriting algorithms that struggle to process self-employed applications. Because business owners frequently maximize legitimate tax deductions, their "on-paper" taxable income often appears much lower than their actual cash flow and borrowing capacity. A specialized mortgage adviser understands how to interpret financial statements, add back non-cash expenses, and present your case effectively.

Comparison: Broker vs. Bank for Self-Employed Applicants

Dimension Specialized Mortgage Adviser (Broker) Going Straight to a Bank
Lender Access Accesses main banks, building societies, and non-bank alternative lenders. Limited exclusively to that specific bank's standard products.
Income Assessment Manually adds back expenses (depreciation, shareholder salaries, one-offs) to maximize income. Strict algorithmic assessment based primarily on net taxable profit.
Documentation Flexibility Can utilize alternative options (like low-doc or business bank statement reviews) if trading < 2 years. Almost strictly requires 2 full years of finalized financial accounts.
Credit Matching Matches your specific business structure with the lender most favorable to that industry. "One-size-fits-all" approach; if you don't fit their box, you are declined.

Critical Requirements for Self-Employed Mortgages in NZ

If you choose to move forward, lenders will typically look at your file through two primary lenses depending on how long you have been operating.

  • Standard Main-Bank Route (2+ Years Trading):

  • You will need 2 years of full financial statements (Profit & Loss and Balance Sheets) compiled by a chartered accountant.

  • You will need 2 years of IR3 (personal) and IR4 (company) tax returns from Inland Revenue.

  • Lenders usually average the last two years of income, or use the lower of the two if income dropped in the most recent year.

  • Alternative/Non-Bank Route (1–2 Years Trading or Low Net Profit):

  • If you have been trading for less than 2 years, main banks will generally decline you.

  • A specialist adviser can access non-bank lenders who accept 6 to 12 months of business bank statements to verify actual gross revenue cash flow (often called "low-doc" loans).

  • The Tradeoff: These alternative programs typically require a 20% deposit and may carry interest rates 1% to 1.5% higher than standard bank rates, plus a 1% setup fee.

Strategy to Move Forward

  1. Do not apply to multiple banks yourself. Every hard credit check or automated system rejection can negatively impact your credit profile.

  2. Engage an accountant early. Ensure your financial accounts for the most recent financial year are fully finalized and not just "drafts."

  3. Isolate personal cash flow. Clean up your personal bank statements for the last 3 months. Eliminate discretionary business expenses coming out of personal accounts, as banks scrutinize personal living expenses heavily under current NZ lending guidelines.

To help tailor this advice, could you share how many years your business has been trading and whether your net profit has been steady or fluctuating?

Ask anything

Captured 11 October 2026