Mortgage pressures put squeeze on repayments
More than two-thirds of mortgage holders say they have or will cut back their overall spending due to the increased cost of mortgage repayments.
Just 22% say they overpay on their mortgages, down from 42% two years ago. However, there’s an important caveat: the number of people overpaying dropped to just 14% at the time Auckland was plunged into its four-month lockdown. This suggests Kiwis buckled down on their finances at that time given the uncertainties.
It’s been a tumultuous couple of years in the property market. Property prices have slumped from eye-watering highs, with the peak to trough fall expected to hit 20-25% by late this year.
While property prices have dropped, mortgage rates have nearly tripled, and lenders’ affordability scrutiny has increased.
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