Cairns Lockie Mortgage Commentary
Issue 2002/23
Welcome to the twenty-third and last Cairns Lockie Mortgage Commentary for 2002. This is a fortnightly electronic
newsletter which aims to keep you informed on developments at Cairns Lockie, Mortgage Bankers and the mortgage market in
general. Previous issues of this commentary can be found on our website http://www.emortgage.co.nz/newsletters.htm
The Money Market
This morning (9am on 16 December 2002) the money markets were at the following levels:
Official cash rate 5.75% (unchanged)
90 day bill rate 5.93 (up from 5.91)
1 year swap rate 5.93 (down from 5.94)
3 year swap rate 6.21 (down from 6.22)
10 year bond rate 6.31 (down from 6.38)
Kiwi dollar 0.5143 (up from 0.4948)
A Busy Year For Us
This year has been an exciting one for us at Cairns Lockie Limited. We have enhanced or introduced a number of new
products. We have increased our lending margin to 80% for our successful No-Financials product. This has proved to be an
ideal product for either the self employed or for recent newer immigrants. We have introduced a Non-Conforming mortgage
product, which is aimed at those who have some credit blemishes. These can be a result of a number of factors such as a
business failure, matrimonial problems, or other personal financial problems. Our Construction Mortgage has now been
introduced. We are starting to write some Second Mortgages and see this increasing next year. Satellite offices have
been opened in Cambridge in the Waikato and also in Wellington.
A Mortgage Rate Crystal Ball
2003 - another good year for residential property. Mortgage rates are expected to remain stable and may actual decrease
over the coming months. Wholesale mortgage rates are at 60-year lows in the United States and 30-year lows in the United
Kingdom, Australia and in this country. With low overseas interest rates, an appreciating Kiwi dollar and our contained
inflation, we are expecting NZ rates to decrease by up to half a percent. Immigration remains strong with new
immigrants, Kiwis returning home and fewer young New Zealander's going overseas. Tenant demand remains strong and
employment levels remain robust. This all looks good for the residential property sector.
Country Lifestyle Beacons
Lifestyle blocks are continuing to be a popular property option in this country, with the benefits of living in a rural
setting, in a city type house while working in the city. These types of properties have been good investments as well.
The median price for a lifestyle block in Auckland is now $407,500, up 42% in the past five years. A similar pattern
exists in Wellington and Christchurch: the median price in Wellington is $255,000 up by 49% and $200,500 in Christchurch
up 21% in the past five years. We are noticing a strong interest in these types of properties from borrowers.
Transfer Your Mortgage With Us
There are number of people selling their current property and planning to purchase another. One of the advantages with a
mortgage from us, is that your mortgage is transferable. This means you can transfer your existing mortgage to your new
property. All you need to do is contact us and discuss what you are proposing to do. We will be back with an answer
within 24 hours. When you transfer your mortgage with us, you save money in fees, its quick to do, plus you can continue
with your existing lender.
This is our last newsletter for the year. We hope you have found them valuable. We wish all our subscribers a very Merry
Christmas and all the best for 2003. Our first newsletter for the New Year will be on 7 February 2003.
Our current mortgage interest rates are as follows
Variable rate 7.50%
No Financials Home Loan 8.50
Jumbo Loan 7.50
Quick Start Home Loan 6.85
One-year fixed rate 7.16
Two-year fixed rate 7.37
Three-year fixed rate 7.49
Five-year fixed rate 7.76
Line of credit facility 7.60