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The New Zealand property market is showing signs of life, but the real story lies in the regional data and current mortgage trends. In this episode of New Zealand Property Insights, Paul and Debbie Roberts unpack the new Cotality Decoding 2026 Report and the record-breaking surge in bank switching.

In this episode, Paul and Debbie cover:

• The 2026 Market Outlook: A deep dive into the latest Cotality report. While 71% of respondents expect house prices to rise in 2026, the data reveals a mood of cautious optimism rather than a massive boom. The hosts discuss the significant regional split, contrasting Canterbury's strong confidence against Wellington's lagging market.
• The Danger of "Free" Advice: Debbie explains why "free" financial plans from property companies are often designed purely to sell commission-based properties. She highlights why securing independent financial advice is crucial to ensure you aren't paying top dollar for an underperforming investment.
• The Great Bank Switch: In December 2025, a record-breaking $5.8 billion in lending was driven simply by borrowers switching banks to chase cashback deals. Paul and Debbie explore whether these cashbacks actually save money, warning investors about hidden break fees and clawback periods. They also share actionable tips on how to negotiate better rates with your current bank using a mortgage adviser.

Whether listeners are looking to refinance or wondering where the property market is heading next, this episode cuts through the noise to provide the facts.

Resource Links: 📅 Free Online Event: Learn how to succeed in any market cycle. Register for the next "How to Succeed with Property Investing" event here: https://www.propertyapprentice.co.nz/auckland-events/

🏠 Book a Free Chat: Need to stress-test a strategy? Click to book a no-obligation chat with Paul Roberts

💻 Website: https://www.propertyapprentice.co.nz

00:00 Intro Music 00:06 Introduction: Unpacking the Cotality 2026 Report 00:18 Topic 1: The 2026 Market Outlook & "Cautious Optimism" 01:35 Regional Property Split: Why Canterbury is outperforming Wellington 01:54 Interest Rate Reality: Are OCR hikes coming? 04:10 The Danger of "Free" Financial Advice & Sales Pitches 04:52 Strategy: Creating your own capital growth through renovations 05:51 Topic 2: The Great Bank Switch & Record Refinancing 06:47 Who is moving banks? The reality of cashback offers 08:03 Warning: Break fees, clawbacks, and the true cost of switching 08:39 Mortgage Advice: How to negotiate better rates with your bank 10:08 Summary & Next Steps: Free Property Investing Event

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Disclaimer: The information provided in this video is for educational purposes only and does not constitute personalized financial advice. We recommend seeking advice from a qualified professional before making any investment decisions.

*Property Advice Group Limited trading as Property Apprentice has been granted a FULL Licence with the Financial Markets Authority of New Zealand. (FSP Number: FSP157564) Debbie Roberts | Financial Adviser (FSP221305) For our Public disclosure statement please go to our website or you may request a copy free of charge.

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Is the property market officially shifting gears?

In this episode of The Week in Review, Debbie Roberts unpacks a massive week of contradictory but exciting real estate news. We dive into a sudden surge in tourism and migration that has the broader economy starting to hum, and discuss why the Reserve Bank holding the OCR steady at 2.25% cements a "higher for longer" interest rate environment.

We also cover a massive win for first-home buyers as ASB joins the Kāinga Ora 5% deposit scheme with a unique lending advantage, plus a look at why the government just slashed Auckland's long-term housing targets by 400,000 homes.

Key Topics Covered:

• Migration & Tourism: How the late-2025 rebound is setting the stage for a housing revival.
• First Home Buyers: Why ASB's entry into the 5% deposit scheme—and their acceptance of two boarders' income—could boost your buying power.
• Interest Rates: What the OCR pause at 2.25% means for your fixed-rate mortgage strategy.
• Auckland Zoning: The government's U-turn on Plan Change 120 and what it means for character neighbourhoods.
• Market Data: Cotality's February update showing flat property values and a welcome drop in rents.

📢 FREE EVENT: Navigating a recovering market requires careful planning based on data, not headlines. Join our free online masterclass to learn how to structure your portfolio for success. 👉 Register here: https://www.propertyapprentice.co.nz

Timestamps: 0:00 - Intro: Economic Rebound & Mixed Signals 0:46 - Migration & Tourism Rebound 1:44 - ASB Joins Kāinga Ora 5% Deposit Scheme 2:50 - OCR Paused at 2.25% 5:10 - Auckland Housing Target Slashed 6:25 - Cotality Feb 2026 Data 8:30 - Final Thoughts & Free Event

Support the show

Disclaimer: The information provided in this video is for educational purposes only and does not constitute personalized financial advice. We recommend seeking advice from a qualified professional before making any investment decisions.

*Property Advice Group Limited trading as Property Apprentice has been granted a FULL Licence with the Financial Markets Authority of New Zealand. (FSP Number: FSP157564) Debbie Roberts | Financial Adviser (FSP221305) For our Public disclosure statement please go to our website or you may request a copy free of charge.

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The market is shifting gears—are you keeping up?

In this week's Week in Review, Debbie Roberts unpacks the signals that matter most to your wallet. We are seeing a stabilizing market with resale profits ticking up, but a surprise surge in borrowers locking in 2-year fixed rates suggests the "floating rate" trend is over.

Key Topics Covered:

• Resale Turnaround: 88% of sellers made a profit in Q4—has the market hit the bottom?
• Mortgage Trends: Why new lending hit record highs in December and why everyone is fixing for 2 years.
• Golden Visas: The foreign buyer ban softens on March 6th. We explain the strict $5m+ rules.
• Jobs & Inflation: Unemployment is up, but wage growth is down. What this means for the OCR.
• Solar Equity: Why retirees and renters are missing out on the solar boom.

📢 FREE EVENT: Navigating a stabilising market requires a different strategy. Join our free online masterclass to learn how to structure your portfolio for 2026. 👉 Register here: https://www.propertyapprentice.co.nz

Book a free, no-obligation chat with Paul: https://www.propertyapprentice.co.nz/free-strategy-call/

Timestamps: 0:00 - Intro: Market Shifting Gears 0:35 - Resale Profits Stabilise 2:10 - The Surge to 2-Year Fixed Rates 4:05 - Foreign Buyer "Golden Visa" Rules 7:15 - Labor Market & RBNZ Update 9:00 - Solar Power Funding Gaps 11:20 - Final Thoughts & Free Event

Buzzsprout Tags: #NZProperty #MortgageRates #RealEstateNews #ForeignBuyers #SolarEnergy #EconomicUpdate #DebbieRoberts #Podcast

Support the show

Disclaimer: The information provided in this video is for educational purposes only and does not constitute personalized financial advice. We recommend seeking advice from a qualified professional before making any investment decisions.

*Property Advice Group Limited trading as Property Apprentice has been granted a FULL Licence with the Financial Markets Authority of New Zealand. (FSP Number: FSP157564) Debbie Roberts | Financial Adviser (FSP221305) For our Public disclosure statement please go to our website or you may request a copy free of charge.