January 22, 2026
Graham Goodisson
Mortgages
All Blogs

Mortgage FAQs - From Pre Approval to Loan Offer to Settlement

Thinking About Your Next Move?

Whether you’re buying your first home, topping up your loan, or eyeing a second property, that’s awesome! The best place to start is a chat with your Velocity Financial Adviser. We’ll talk through your goals and find finance that fits your life.

Mortgage pre-approval is your first big step. It gives you confidence, sets your budget, and makes house hunting a whole lot easier.

What is Mortgage Pre-Approval?

Mortgage pre-approval is your financial starting point. It tells you how much you can borrow for a new home or investment property, based on your current situation, not the property itself. When you find a place you love, send the draft Sale & Purchase Agreement and any Disclosures to your Velocity Adviser for a quick review.

What Do I Need for a Pre-Approval?

Valid Photo ID:

Passport or NZ driver’s licence.

Proof of Citizenship or Residency:

Passport, birth certificate, or resident visa.

Proof of Address:

Recent utility bill or bank statement.

IRD Number:

For tax identification.

Income Verification:

At least 3 months of payslips (or financial statements if self-employed).

Bank Statements:

3–6 months showing salary deposits and spending habits.

Deposit Evidence:

Savings account statements and KiwiSaver details.

Debt Details:

Recent statements for credit cards, personal loans, car finance, even if balances are zero.

Credit Check:

Your lenders will run a comprehensive credit check as part of the approval process.

Other Supporting Documents (if applicable):

Gift letters for deposit, proof of bonuses or commissions, rental income statements.

How Long Does Pre-Approval Take?

Many lenders will give us an answer within 3–5 working days. Your pre-approval usually lasts 60–90 days, and it’s conditional, meaning it’s based on finding a property that meets the lender’s criteria.

What Happens After Pre-Approval?

Once the bank has given us your loan approval, here’s what to do next:

*   Read your Loan Offer Summary and keep it somewhere safe.

*   Hang onto your approval document for reference.

*   Let us know if anything changes in your finances.

*   Found a property? Send us the Sale & Purchase Agreement and Disclosures.

What Needs to Happen Before Finance is Unconditional?

To move from conditional to unconditional finance, you’ll need:

*   A signed Sale & Purchase Agreement.

*   Deposit evidence (including KiwiSaver confirmation if applicable).

*   Proof of income (and boarder income if relevant).

*   A registered valuation approved by the bank.

*   Confirmation of no earthquake damage or EQC claims.

*   Proof the property can be fully insured.

*   Completion of bank ID, tax confirmation, and onboarding.

What is a “Priority Figure”?

It’s a legal term banks use. The priority figure is the maximum amount they can recover from the property if things go wrong. It’s usually higher than your loan amount, but don’t worry, it’s just part of the paperwork.

What Should I Do Before Making an Offer?

Before you make an offer:

*   Confirm the property is acceptable to the bank.

*   Check that it can be insured by talking to our colleagues at Caveo.

*   Talk to us about deposit timing (especially KiwiSaver and term deposits).

*   Avoid any big changes to your financial position.

Deposits & Income for Home Loans

How Much Deposit Do I Need?

*   20% deposit: More bank options, better rates, smoother process.

*   10% deposit: Still possible, but expect:

  *   Fewer lender choices

  *   Slightly higher interest rates

  *   Lower borrowing limits

  *   A required Registered Valuation ($900–$1,200)

Families can help too. Check out our First Home Buyers Guide.

How Is My Loan Amount Calculated?

We’ll give you an estimate based on your income and expenses, but banks will:

*   Review your full mortgage application

*   Dive into your bank statements to understand your actual spending

Self-Employed? Here’s What You Need to Know

If you're self-employed, banks will:

*   Use your taxable income as the base

*   Average income over a few years

*   Ask for accountant-prepared forecasts

Until they’ve reviewed your documents, it’s hard to confirm your borrowing power, but we’ll help you get everything lined up.

Financial Character & Property Criteria

What Do Banks Check?

*   Your credit history and account conduct

*   Your residency status in New Zealand

What Property Criteria Do Banks Use?

*   The property must be acceptable security

*   We’ll review the Sale & Purchase agreement and any disclosures

*   Property type matters—apartments often need a higher deposit than standalone homes

Refinancing & Mortgage Top-Ups

What is Refinancing?

Refinancing means switching lenders or renegotiating your current mortgage. It can help you:

*   Get better interest rates

*   Restructure debt

*   Access new mortgage products

We’ll help you weigh up:

*   Ease of application

*   Product options

*   Fees, rates, and service levels

Can I Increase My Mortgage Later?

Yes, you can apply for a top-up after the required time-frames have passed. You may need:

*   Updated financial info

*   A new valuation

*   Confirmation your situation still meets bank criteria

Making an Offer on a Property

You can make an offer anytime, just include the right conditions. Common ones are:

*   Finance

*   Insurance

*   Builder’s Report

*   LIM (Council Report)

*   Title and legal review

Once these are sorted, you might be ready to go unconditional. Let’s chat about the best strategy for your situation.

Professional Referrals

Accounting Services

We can connect you with an accountant for:

*   Rental property tax advice

*   Business accounting support

*   Mortgage restructure implications

Legal Services

Need a lawyer? We’ve got great contacts for:

*   Conveyancing and house buying

*   Wills, trusts, and Enduring Power of Attorney (EPA) setup

How We Get Paid

Velocity Financial is paid by the lender when your loan settles. If your loan is discharged early, a clawback may apply. In that case, you may be invoiced for time spent (up to $3,000 at $200+GST/hour).  Full disclosure documents are available online: https://www.velocityfinancial.co.nz/disclosure-statement.

Why Choose Velocity Financial?

We’re not just mortgage brokers, we’re your financial wingpeople. Whether you’re a first home buyer, property investor, or self-employed borrower, we’ll guide you through the home loan maze with clarity, care, and a bit of Velocity flair.

Always get professional advice

The information shared in this FAQ is meant to be general guide to support you on your journey. When making important decisions about your finances, we encourage you to seek independent financial advice first, tailored to your unique situation.  As well as talking with a financial adviser, make sure you talk to your lawyer and accountant too – together they'll help you find the best solution for your specific situation. Our knowledgeable financial advisers are here to help. Check out our website for the details about our financial advisory services in our disclosures  https://www.velocityfinancial.co.nz/disclosure-statement.

Continue Reading

Get the latest insights and tips from the Velocity Financial team.

Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.