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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

We're a family moving to a bigger home and may need to buy before our current home sells. What matters most to us is being able to pay extra or change our repayments when we need to. Which lenders would you recommend for our home loan, and why?

For your situation in New Zealand, I’d focus on lenders that give you repayment flexibility without locking you into expensive break fees or making it difficult to manage two properties temporarily.

Because you're upsizing and may need to buy before selling, there are really two separate things to solve:

  • Flexible repayments: being able to pay extra off your loan, increase regular repayments, make lump-sum payments or take a repayment holiday if your circumstances change.
  • Bridging finance: funding the new home while you still own your current one, ideally with a clear plan for what happens if your existing home takes longer to sell.

One important distinction: a loan can offer excellent repayment flexibility but still be unsuitable for bridging finance. I’d assess both features before choosing a lender.

Lenders I’d shortlist

These are the lenders I’d compare first based on their published loan features, not a ranking of their interest rates or approval likelihood.

1. BNZ

Best to investigate for offsetting spare cash and flexible repayments

BNZ offers TotalMoney, which offsets eligible transaction-account balances against your linked mortgage for interest calculations. You can access the linked money when needed, make lump-sum payments and change repayments on the floating loan. Its fixed-rate standard loan also permits extra repayments of up to 5% of the loan balance each year without an early repayment charge. Home loan typesTotalMoney home loans - Offset mortgages

Why it may suit you: if you have savings or cash temporarily available while buying and selling, you can keep that money accessible while reducing mortgage interest.

BNZ home loan options

2. Kiwibank

Best to investigate for flexible loan structures

Kiwibank offers variable, offset and revolving-credit home loans. Its variable loan allows extra repayments at any time without a penalty, while revolving credit works more like an overdraft, allowing you to pay money in and draw it back within your approved limit. Kiwibank also has guidance specifically for buying your next home before selling your current one. Revolving home loan | Home loansVariable rate home loan | Home loansBuying your next home | Home loans

Why it may suit you: you can explore a combination of predictable repayments on one loan portion and more accessible funds on another, alongside a plan for the temporary overlap between homes.

Kiwibank home loan options

3. ASB

Best to investigate for structuring the loan and managing the move

ASB lets you split a mortgage between fixed, floating and revolving-credit portions. The floating portion allows extra payments without early repayment adjustment costs, while the revolving portion lets you repay and redraw within your limit. ASB also explicitly offers bridging finance and discusses retaining an existing loan while substituting the property used as security, subject to approval. Split home loan - Fixed vs variable interest rateBridging finance - Buying & selling at the same time

Why it may suit you: it is worth asking ASB to structure the new lending and any existing fixed-rate loan together, rather than treating them as separate decisions.

ASB buying and selling at the same time

4. Westpac

Best to investigate for adjustable repayments on fixed loans

Westpac's Choices Floating loan allows extra lump-sum repayments and redraws, and its offset option links eligible accounts to reduce interest. Westpac also says borrowers on its Choices Fixed loan can increase payments online by up to 20% above the minimum and reduce them again when needed. It offers bridging-finance options for a gap between selling and buying. Split home loanChoices Fixed home loanChoices Offset Floating home loanSelling and buying - financial considerations

Why it may suit you: the ability to adjust fixed-loan payments within the stated limit could provide a useful middle ground between repayment flexibility and rate certainty.

Westpac home loan options

5. ANZ

Best to investigate for revolving credit and bridging finance together

ANZ offers a Flexible Home Loan with no set regular repayments while the facility remains within its credit limit; you can pay money in and redraw it. ANZ also offers bridging finance for buyers who need to settle on a new property before selling their existing one. Its flexible loan may carry a higher interest rate and a monthly fee. Flexible MortgageBridging Finance

Why it may suit you: if you want substantial control over when money goes in and out, ANZ is worth including in the comparison, particularly if your sale and purchase dates may not line up.

ANZ bridging finance

What type of mortgage would I choose for your family?

I’d ask each lender to price a split home loan rather than putting the entire mortgage on a fixed rate.

A flexible structure to discuss with lenders

Fixed-rate portion

The predictable part of your mortgage

Covers the amount you want to repay consistently, with more certainty about your interest rate and scheduled payments.

Floating or offset portion

The flexible part of your mortgage

Lets you make extra payments, pay lump sums off the loan and, depending on the product, access money again. An offset loan may also reduce interest while cash sits in eligible linked accounts.

Bridging finance, if needed

The temporary part of your borrowing

Funds the gap between settling on the new property and receiving the proceeds from your existing home's sale. Agree on the repayment and exit plan before committing.

This is a structure to discuss, not a prescribed allocation. The right proportions depend on your cash reserves, equity, income and expected sale date.

A split structure can help you avoid fixing every dollar while you still need flexibility. However, floating rates are generally more exposed to interest-rate changes, and fixed loans can have early repayment costs if you exceed their permitted extra-payment limits. Split home loan - Fixed vs variable interest rateSplit home loanFloating mortgage & home loans - View rates online

Five questions to ask every lender

Given that flexibility is your top priority, I’d ask each bank to answer these questions in writing:

  1. How much extra can we repay? Is there a dollar limit or percentage limit each year on fixed-rate portions?
  2. Can we lower our repayments later? If our circumstances change after the move, can we reduce payments without refinancing or paying a fee?
  3. Can we access money we've paid in? Is redraw available, and are there restrictions or fees?
  4. What happens if our current home takes longer to sell? Ask about bridging-loan duration, interest costs, extensions and whether interest-only payments are available.
  5. What will the total cost be? Compare interest rates, account fees, break costs and any cash contribution clawback if you refinance or repay early.

Bridging finance deserves particular care: you'll need to establish that you can manage both properties' costs, including if the sale takes longer than expected or the sale price is lower than anticipated. Bridging finance - Buying & selling at the same timeBridging FinanceJargon buster | Home loans

My recommendation

I’d start by comparing BNZ, Kiwibank and ASB, then include Westpac and ANZ to see whether their adjustable repayment or revolving-credit features better suit you. I would not choose purely on the advertised mortgage rate: the exact loan conditions matter more for your stated priority.

One question would help me narrow this down considerably:

When you say you want to change your repayments, which matters most to you?

Ask anything

ChatGPT can make mistakes. Check important info.

Captured 11 October 2026

Gemini · National

We're a family moving to a bigger home and may need to buy before our current home sells. What matters most to us is being able to pay extra or change our repayments when we need to. Which lenders would you recommend for our home loan, and why?

Buying a new home before selling your current one is a common transition in New Zealand, but it introduces a specific challenge: managing dual financial commitments or bridging the gap, while needing the freedom to pay down debt rapidly once your old home finally sells.

When your primary requirements are payment flexibility (making extra repayments or changing repayment structures) alongside the unique timeline of buying before selling, certain New Zealand lenders and loan structures stand out.

Key Lending Structures for Your Situation

To get the flexibility you need without incurring heavy break fees, New Zealand lenders typically offer specific structural options:

  1. Split Loans (Fixed + Floating/Offset):
    • This is usually the best approach for families in your position. You can fix a portion of your mortgage to protect against interest rate fluctuations, and keep a portion on a floating, offset, or revolving credit facility.
    • When your current home sells, you can pour the lump sum directly into the flexible portion without any early repayment penalties.
  2. Offset Mortgages:
    • Lenders like BNZ (TotalMoney), Westpac (Choices Offset), and Kiwibank allow you to link everyday transaction or savings accounts to your floating mortgage balance. You only pay interest on the net difference, giving you absolute flexibility to draw down or pay extra daily without locking your money away.
  3. Standard Fixed Loans with Overpayment Allowances:
    • Most major NZ banks (ANZ, ASB, BNZ, Westpac) allow you to increase your regular fixed repayments by a certain percentage (often up to 20% extra per year) or make lump-sum payments up to a cap (e.g., $5,000 to $10,000 annually) without breaking the fixed term. However, for an unconstrained lump sum upon selling your house, a floating or split structure is far superior.

Lenders to Consider and Why

  • BNZ (Bank of New Zealand)
    • Why they fit: BNZ’s TotalMoney offset structure is widely regarded as one of the most comprehensive in New Zealand. It allows you to group accounts across extended family members (like parents or children) to help offset your overall interest. If you need a flexible facility while juggling two properties, their structure makes absorbing cash flow swings seamless.
  • Kiwibank
    • Why they fit: Kiwibank offers strong offset and revolving credit options (Free Up / offset lines) with transparent fee structures. They are often flexible with complex transitional lending scenarios (such as bridging finance or buying before selling) compared to some rigid policy constraints elsewhere.
  • Westpac
    • Why they fit: Westpac's Choices Offset allows you to link multiple accounts and make unlimited extra payments on the floating portion. They also have structured bridging finance policies for customers transitioning from one property to another, which will be critical if your timeline requires overlapping settlements.
  • ASB
    • Why they fit: While their standard offset options are more limited, ASB’s Orbit Home Loan (revolving credit) and their general split-loan capabilities give excellent app-based control. They allow you to easily manage multiple loan portions digitally, which helps when tracking funds earmarked for paying down debt post-sale.

Important Considerations for Buying Before Selling

  • The Bridging Finance Component: If you buy before selling, your bank will assess whether you can comfortably service both mortgages temporarily (or approve a formal bridging loan). They will look closely at your equity and income security.
  • Watch Out for Break Costs: If you fix your entire mortgage to lock in a rate and then sell your house 3 months later, paying off that fixed loan in full can trigger heavy early repayment adjustments (break fees) if wholesale interest rates have dropped since you signed. Splitting your loan mitigates this risk.

Recommended Next Steps

  1. Map Your Timeline & Equity: Calculate your total usable equity across your current home and your cash savings to see how much of the new purchase price will need to be debt-funded initially.
  2. Consult a Mortgage Broker or Bank Specialist: Speak with a registered mortgage adviser in New Zealand or a mobile mortgage manager at one of the major banks mentioned above. Ask specifically: "If we use a split loan combining a fixed term and an offset/floating facility, what are your exact limits on lump-sum payments when our current house sells?"
Ask Gemini

Gemini is AI and can make mistakes.

Captured 11 October 2026

Google AI Mode · National

We're a family moving to a bigger home and may need to buy before our current home sells. What matters most to us is being able to pay extra or change our repayments when we need to. Which lenders would you recommend for our home loan, and why?

When managing a bridge-style situation—buying a new home before selling the current one—flexibility is paramount. You need the ability to make unlimited extra repayments, redraw funds if needed, or use offset and revolving credit structures so that any cash from selling your first home can instantly slash your interest without locking you into rigid terms.

Major New Zealand registered banks (including ANZ, ASB, BNZ, Kiwibank, and Westpac) as well as customer-owned/regional banks (like TSB and The Co-operative Bank) offer floating or flexible variable tiers with these features.

Key Flexible Lending Structures Available in New Zealand

  • Revolving Credit Facilities: Merges your everyday transaction/savings account with your home loan. Income deposits automatically reduce the daily principal balance, and you can draw or repay funds anytime up to your limit—ideal if you are temporarily holding cash or sales proceeds.

  • Offset Mortgages: Links multiple transaction or savings accounts to your variable home loan. The credit balances in those accounts "offset" the principal amount on which daily interest is calculated, meaning your money reduces interest while remaining completely accessible.

  • Floating/Variable Loans with Redraw: Standard variable options that allow extra lump-sum payments at any time with no early-repayment penalties or break fees.

Leading Lender Options and Why They Fit

  1. Kiwibank (Offset & Flexible Options)
  • Why it fits: Kiwibank provides robust Offset Mortgages that link up to eight everyday or savings accounts to reduce daily interest. They allow unlimited fee-free extra lump-sum payments on variable portions, giving you high fluidity while managing a dual-property timeline. [Kiwibank]
  1. ASB (Orbit Revolving Credit / Variable)
  • Why it fits: ASB’s Orbit Home Loan combines transactional flexibility with a variable framework. It lets you deposit sale proceeds or surplus cash directly to lower the daily balance, with the freedom to redraw funds if settlement dates shift or unexpected transition costs pop up. [ASB Bank]
  1. ANZ, BNZ, and Westpac (Standard Floating & Tailored Portions)
  • Why it fits: The major incumbent banks all offer floating rate tiers that permit unlimited extra payments without penalty. You can split your borrowing—fixing a portion for certainty while keeping a flexible floating or revolving credit slice for the transitional gap.
  1. TSB and The Co-operative Bank (Regional / Customer-Owned Alternatives)
  • Why it fits: Often featuring competitive floating and short-term fixed rates alongside personalized servicing, these localized or cooperative institutions accommodate complex equity structures (like bridging or transitional overlapping mortgages) with transparent fee schedules. [MoneyHub NZ]

Key Considerations for Buying Before Selling

  • Split-Structuring: Do not feel you must put the entire loan on a rigid floating rate. A mortgage broker or bank specialist can structure a split loan —fixing a portion of your core debt for rate stability, while placing a dedicated portion into a revolving credit or offset facility to handle your fluid transition cash. [MoneyHub NZ]

  • Bridge Finance Approval: If your current home takes longer to sell, the lender will assess your serviceability to carry both mortgages temporarily under current debt-to-income (DTI) and LVR guidelines.

If you'd like, let me know:

  • Your approximate equity or deposit available
  • Whether you prefer a purely floating/revolving setup or a split structure (part fixed, part flexible)

I can help you outline how to approach lenders or structure your application for this transition.

Ask anything

Captured 11 October 2026

AI Overviews · National

We're a family moving to a bigger home and may need to buy before our current home sells. What matters most to us is being able to pay extra or change our repayments when we need to. Which lenders would you recommend for our home loan, and why?

AI Overview

For a family moving to a larger home before selling the old one, managing open bridging finance while maintaining repayment flexibility is critical. In New Zealand, BNZ , Westpac , and ANZ are the top lender recommendations because they offer specialized loan features that cater to both parts of your scenario.

Recommended Lenders

To handle your specific needs, the following New Zealand banks are highly capable:

Lender Bridging Finance Suitability Repayment Flexibility & Features
BNZ Strong. Structuring open bridging for up to 6 months is standard practice. Excellent. A true Offset Home Loan allows you to link multiple savings accounts to reduce interest, and they offer variable repayment rules.
Westpac Moderate-to-Strong. Assessed case-by-case, leaning heavily on your existing equity. Excellent. Their Choices Floating rate provides complete freedom to pay lump sums or clear debt early with no prepayment fees.
ANZ Strong. Frequently structures "tideover" short-term open bridging loans based on application context. Good. Offers a high tolerance for adjustments, allowing you to increase fixed regular payments by up to $250/week or pay 5% in lump sums annually.

Critical Mechanics to Consider

1. The Open Bridging Hurdle

Because you are purchasing before you sell, you require an open bridging loan.

  • The Risk: Most major NZ banks are strict with open bridging because you will temporarily own two homes without a guaranteed sale date on the first.

  • The Solution: Lenders typically expect a resolution within 6 to 12 months. They look for substantial equity across both properties and may allow you to capitalize the interest—meaning the interest accumulates on the loan instead of requiring immediate cash flow payments until the old house sells.

2. Maximizing Repayment Flexibility

Once your first house sells, you will want the freedom to adjust your remaining mortgage. Look for these two loan structures:

  • Offset & Floating Loans: Keeping a portion of your new loan on a floating or offset structure (via BNZ or Westpac) allows you to make unlimited lump-sum payments without early repayment penalties.

  • Fixed-Rate Limits: If you choose to lock in a fixed interest rate for budget certainty, make sure you understand the lender's exact annual fee-free overpayment threshold (typically 5% of the loan amount or a set dollar increase per week).

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

  • What is your estimated equity or loan-to-value ratio (LVR) across both properties?

  • How quickly do you plan to put your current home on the market?

  • Are you planning to use a mortgage broker to negotiate, or applying to banks directly?

I can give you more details on how to structure the loans to avoid extra costs.

Ask anything

Captured 11 October 2026