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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

best bank bridging finance buy before you sell

Best banks in New Zealand for bridging finance

If you want to buy your next home before selling your current one, I’d start by comparing ANZ, BNZ, Westpac and ASB. All four have information about bridging finance or options for buying and selling at the same time. The best bank for you will depend on your existing mortgage, how much equity you have, your income and how quickly you expect to sell your current home. Bridging FinanceHow bridging finance worksOptions with your current homeBridging finance - Buying & selling at the same time

My shortlist

  1. ANZ — a good first option to investigate

ANZ offers bridging finance to help you buy without selling first. It explicitly highlights the need to afford both loans while you wait for your existing property to sell.

Best to investigate if you want a straightforward bridging loan and clear advice on affordability.

ANZ bridging finance · Bridging Finance

  1. BNZ — worth comparing for open bridging

BNZ explains both open bridging (you haven't sold yet) and closed bridging (your existing home is sold unconditionally). Its guidance discusses interest-only payments on some lending and bridging periods of up to 12 months, subject to approval.

Best to ask about the maximum bridge period and repayments if your house takes time to sell.

BNZ bridging finance guide · How bridging finance works

  1. Westpac NZ — worth checking if you already bank there

Westpac says it may be able to temporarily increase your existing home loan or arrange bridging finance when you buy before selling.

Best to investigate whether adjusting your current mortgage is simpler than setting up separate bridging finance.

Westpac options when moving home · Options with your current home

  1. ASB — another strong comparison option

ASB describes bridging loans and options for existing customers who want to use their new property as security under a new mortgage.

Best to investigate if you want to keep your existing lending relationship and restructure your home loans.

ASB buying and selling a home · Bridging finance - Buying & selling at the same time

Which bank would I choose?

My practical recommendation is to ask your current bank for a bridging finance quote first, then get a competing quote from one other bank. Moving your mortgage to a new bank can add paperwork and settlement coordination.

Compare these four things:

  • Total borrowing approved: Will the bank lend enough to complete the new purchase while your current mortgage remains outstanding?
  • Repayments during the bridge: Can you afford both mortgages, rates, insurance and other costs?
  • Time allowed to sell: What happens if your current house takes 3–6 months or longer to sell?
  • Interest rate and fees: Ask for the actual rate, any establishment or valuation fees, and the total estimated interest cost.

The banks' published guides don't establish one universally cheapest option, so I wouldn't choose based on the bank name alone.

Let’s narrow it down to the best option for you

I can help you work out which bank is most suitable if you tell me a little about your situation.

With those details, I can help estimate the equity tied up in your current home and the temporary funding gap, then suggest which banks to approach first.

Ask anything

ChatGPT can make mistakes. Check important info.

Captured 11 October 2026

Gemini · National

best bank bridging finance buy before you sell

When looking to buy before you sell in New Zealand using bridging finance (often called a tideover loan or short-term bridging home loan), major retail banks handle things similarly in structure, but differ in pricing transparency and flexibility.

In New Zealand, bridging finance is typically treated as a short-term top-up or a specialized structure secured against both your current property and your new purchase.

How Major NZ Banks Approach Bridging Finance

  1. Kiwibank

    • The Standout Feature: Kiwibank is the only major NZ bank that transparently publishes a standard pricing formula for bridging loans (typically set at their standard variable rate plus 1%).
    • Why it matters: This makes it easier to model costs upfront compared to banks that require bespoke application quotes.

  2. ANZ, ASB, BNZ, and Westpac

    • The Approach: These major banks offer bridging finance (often structured as interest-only loans or a temporary increase to your existing home loan), but do not publicly advertise exact bridging interest rates or terms.
    • Loan Portability / Security Transfer: If you already bank with one of them and are halfway through a fixed term, banks like ASB ("substitution of security"), Westpac ("take your loan with you"), and BNZ ("security transfer") may let you port your existing fixed rate to the new property to avoid costly break fees. However, the additional funds needed to bridge the gap will usually sit on a higher variable or shadow rate.

Key Types of Bridging Loans in NZ

  • Closed Bridging Finance: Used when you have already sold your current home unconditionally, but the settlement date of your new purchase happens before the settlement date of your sale. This is low-risk and relatively easy to get approved.
  • Open Bridging Finance: Used when you want to buy a new home before you have even listed or sold your current property. Banks look at this much more strictly; you must prove robust serviceability (the ability to service both mortgages at a stressed test rate) and provide a realistic property valuation. Max terms are usually capped at 6 months.

Financial Breakdown & Cost Factors to Watch

  • Interest Capitalisation vs. Servicing: During the bridging period, most banks set the loan to interest-only or capitalised interest (where the interest is added to the total loan balance rather than paid weekly/monthly). Capitalising interest reduces immediate cash flow stress, but significantly increases the total debt owed when your old house finally sells.
  • The Math Example: Bridging a gap of $500,000 at an estimated 8% interest rate costs roughly $769 a week in interest. If your home takes 12 weeks to sell, that’s ~$9,230; if it drags out to 24 weeks, the interest cost doubles to over $18,400.
  • Lending Limits (LVR): Combined borrowing across both properties generally cannot exceed 80% to 85% of the combined value, factoring in the accumulated interest over the changeover period.

Action Plan for New Zealand Borrowers

  1. Check Loan Portability First: Ask your current lender if you can "port" or transfer your existing fixed-rate mortgage to the new property. This saves you from paying early repayment break fees.
  2. Get a Registered Valuation: For open bridging finance, banks will require a formal valuation of your current property to ensure your equity buffer is realistic.
  3. Engage a Mortgage Broker: Because major banks (excluding Kiwibank) keep their bridging policies and pricing hidden behind individual loan applications, utilizing a free mortgage adviser (such as Loan Market, Squirrel, or Simpler) allows you to simultaneously compare who is offering the sharpest shadow rates and cashbacks for bridging scenarios.

Are you looking to buy a new property before listing your current home (open bridging), or do you already have an accepted offer on your current place (closed bridging)?

Ask Gemini

Gemini is AI and can make mistakes.

Captured 11 October 2026

Google AI Mode · National

best bank bridging finance buy before you sell

When looking for the "best" bank for bridging finance to buy before you sell in New Zealand, there is no single standout winner because major banks (ANZ, ASB, BNZ, Westpac, and Kiwibank) all offer bridging finance, but their structures, transparency, and pricing vary based on your specific equity and position.

Independent consumer research guides like MoneyHub NZ on Bridging Finance outline how New Zealand major and regional banks compare for short-term property transitions:

How Major New Zealand Banks Compare

  • Kiwibank: Often noted for transparency, charging a standard margin (typically around 1% p.a. above their standard floating or fixed home loan rates) rather than hiding costs. They accommodate both closed bridging (if you already have an unconditional sale agreement) and open bridging.

  • TSB: Similar to Kiwibank, TSB is transparent with pricing, generally charging a predictable premium (approx. 1% p.a.) over standard floating rates. They offer personalized structuring which can be beneficial if you have strong equity.

  • ASB: Provides robust structural options, including a "Same Loan Option" where you can keep your existing fixed-term loan by substituting the new property as security (potentially helping you avoid costly fixed-term break fees) alongside standard interest-only bridging arrangements. [ASB Bank]

  • ANZ, BNZ, and Westpac: The major pillar banks all handle bridging finance smoothly, but their appetite, pricing premiums, and flexibility depend heavily on your Loan-to-Value Ratio (LVR) and whether your current house is already under contract (closed) or entirely unsold (open).

Key Factors That Determine the "Best" Choice for You

  1. Closed vs. Open Bridging:
  • Closed bridging (you have already sold your house, but the settlement date is after you buy the new one) is viewed as low risk, and most major banks will offer competitive rates close to standard floating.
  • Open bridging (you haven't sold your old house yet) carries higher risk; banks will scrutinize your equity heavily (usually requiring at least 20% to 30% equity across both properties) and may charge higher interest premiums or force capitalized interest.
  1. Interest Payments vs. Capitalised Interest: Some lenders require you to make interest-only payments on the peak debt during the bridging period, while others capitalise the interest (adding it to the total loan balance to be paid off when the house sells). [MoneyHub NZ]
  2. Break Fees Avoidance: If you are locked into a fixed-rate mortgage on your current home, ask how the bank handles existing fixed terms. Options like ASB's security substitution can save you from paying heavy fixed-rate break fees. [ASB Bank]

If you'd like to narrow this down, tell me:

  • Do you have an unconditional sale agreement on your current home yet (Closed vs. Open)?
  • Roughly what percentage of equity do you have across your current property?
  • Are you currently fixed with a specific bank?

I can help you outline the best approach or questions to take to a mortgage adviser.

Ask anything

Captured 11 October 2026

AI Overviews · National

best bank bridging finance buy before you sell

AI Overview

All major New Zealand retail banks offer bridging finance to let you buy a new property before selling your current one. However, there is no single "best" bank , because approval and pricing heavily depend on whether your current home is already sold unconditionally (Closed Bridging) or remains unsold (Open Bridging).

Your primary goal is managing the "peak debt"—the massive temporary spike when you hold mortgages on both homes at once. Because banks strictly enforce standard variable floating rates plus potential risk premiums, your current equity position and exit strategy determine which bank will be a viable match.

The Big Four vs. Challenger Bank Options

Lender Type Key Mechanics & Pricing Suitability / Best For
Major Banks
(ANZ, ASB, BNZ, Westpac) Charged at standard floating/variable rates. Typically interest-only for up to 12 months. Interest capitalization (adding interest to the loan so you don't pay out-of-pocket during the bridge) varies on a strict case-by-case basis. Best for borrowers with strong income and massive equity (typically 20% to 50% remaining in the existing property) who prefer keeping all debt under one roof.
Kiwibank
(Kiwibank) The only major bank with a fully transparent, published pricing formula (Standard Variable Rate + 1% premium p.a.). Repayments on the new property are strictly interest-only. Best for cost transparency. Ideal if you want to know exact baseline costs upfront before consulting a specialist.
Non-Bank Lenders
(e.g., Squirrel, ASAP Finance) Higher baseline rates (often 1% to 3% above standard bank floating rates) plus setup fees. However, they are highly flexible with serviceability rules. Best if main banks say "no." Crucial if you cannot satisfy strict bank income stress tests while carrying two concurrent mortgages.

Closed vs. Open Bridging: The Approval Dealbreaker

How banks view your application depends entirely on your current sales status:

  • Closed Bridging (Low Risk): You have already signed an unconditional sale agreement on your existing home, but the settlement date falls after you take possession of the new house. All major NZ banks easily approve this, structuring the bridge for a few weeks or months. They generally charge standard floating rates on an interest-only basis.

  • Open Bridging (High Risk): You have bought a new home but haven't found a buyer for your old one. Mainstream banks are highly conservative here. To qualify, you generally need at least 20% to 50% equity across both properties and must prove you can service the dual debt under the bank's harsh test interest rates. If the market slows down, you risk facing immense pressure to slash your old home’s selling price before the standard 6-to-12-month bridge term expires.

Key Action Plan to Reduce Costs

  1. Request a Security Transfer: If you currently hold an excellent fixed interest rate, ask your current bank about a substitution of security (also called porting). This moves your low fixed rate over to the new property, saving you costly break fees.

  2. Evaluate Total Peak Debt Costs: Use your bank's next home calculators to factor in hidden costs like double home insurance, double council rates, and setup fees during the bridging window.

  3. Engage a Mortgage Broker: Because mainstream banks frequently change their internal risk limits on "open" bridging loans, a registered financial adviser can map your equity profile against the banks currently offering the lowest floating premiums.

To help narrow down the optimal structure for your transition, could you let me know:

  • Do you already have an unconditional buyer for your current home, or are you looking at an unsold/open scenario?

  • Roughly how much equity (in percentage or dollar terms) do you currently hold in your existing property?

  • Which bank currently holds your active home loan?

Ask anything

Captured 11 October 2026