Robyn Ashkettle Home Finance Broker
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mobile: 021 222 2226 phone:+64 9 477 0020 fax: +64 9 477 1169 |
I have 33 years experience in home loans, banking and finance, and been both a personal banker and a bank manager in the past. I truly understand mortgages and how the banks generate their profit and have a passion for mortgages for my clients’ financial and emotional well-being.
First Home Buyers/New Immigrants
First home buyers and immigrants are often very confused and scared about the home loan process and can be reluctant to use a mortgage broker as a first choice, associating it with the days when it either cost money or was a last resort for people who could not get a loan from their own bank.
I know the home loan process inside-out and work hard to explain the whole process to my clients in the first appointment to allay those fears. Through years of lending experience, I understand that it is so important to obtain the right loan structure from day one in order to cut the cost of the amount borrowed and reduce the need to refinance later on. Once they know how the process and my role in it works, they appreciate the assistance I can provide.
Residential Investment
I am practised at working with the client and relevant professionals to find the right loan structure to make the most of investment property purchases. Whether this is through the use of a Loss Attributing Qualifying Company (LACQ), Trust or just purchasing as an individual, I have helped many people to improve their prospects of a tax refund and achieve useful income and profits from their investments.
If you need assessment of your current investment finance or would like assistance getting it right the first time, I will work with your accountant or financial planner to make sure you achieve the best outcome for your circumstances.
Commercial Investment
I understand the differences in interest rates and penalties associated with purchasing commercial investment properties under a commercial versus a regular investment loan. Many commercial loans are deemed riskier and the interest rate factors in this additional risk simply because of the nature of the loan and not based on the investment property. I am knowledgeable on assessing statements of assets and liabilities to determine the cheapest form of funding a commercial investment.
Self-employed borrowers
Around 50 per cent of borrowers I assist are self-employed and I have extensive experience in finding appropriate home loans for this group. If you are self- employed, contract, or a seasonal worker, and do not have a regular income, I may be able to assist by being able to offer a main stream bank loan, especially if the loan/value ratio is below 85%. Income can be self certified, either by declaring income levels to the bank without providing financial statements, or simply completing a declaration to state that you can repay the mortgage.
In addition, mortgage payments could be capitalised to loan sum requested, to obtain an equity loan. The types of loans that are useful are combination of interest only, with a flexible facility (redraw), to allow for income fluctuations. The fixed portion allows for you to pay the interest only component, not reduce the principle. The floating portion allows for the interest component and also the option to make principle reductions. They are a popular choice to offer lower repayments, while maintaining many of the traditional features of a loan.
Offshore and Expat borrowers
I work with off/shore/expat clients who email me regularly to advise what they would like to do, or are thinking of doing. I am their point of contact when they want anything arranged at the bank, whilst overseas. Provided you can identify yourself in a NZ or overseas bank, I am able to assist off shore clients with a mortgage in New Zealand. This is regardless of your status as a non-resident or resident.
Many of my clients are able to correspond with me quite quickly and easily by email, phone and fax, to ensure that their mortgage is processed efficiently, maintained, and runs smoothly, especially at times of refix/restructure. It has worked fantastically when clients earn money in lump sums and are able to email me to ask if they are able to transfer their funds to a foreign currency account here in NZ, and have funds converted to NZ dollars at favourable rates.
Once converted, I can arrange for lump sum payments to be made with their Bank in NZ, to reduce their mortgages. Alternatively, I can also arrange foreign currency loans in NZ, that can be repaid in the foreign currency, income is derived from.
Large loans
Bigger loans mean many banks are interested in securing your business through the offer of low interest rates and banking package deals. Due to my experience and background, I am better at negotiating the larger loans as I can price the loan with all of the lenders in a short time frame. I know that sometimes it is not just the interest rate but the entire package that is important, as there are more ways to skin a cat.
Work closely with real estate agents and other associated professionals
I work closely with real estate agents, accountants, financial planners and conveyancers to ensure your property purchase is as smooth and financial beneficial as possible. I have good relationships with professionals in all these areas and because of this my clients receive outstanding service in all aspects of the property purchasing process.
My top finance tip
Avoid debt as much as possible. Student loans and mortgages can be good debt, but make paying them off a priority.
Auckland Customers
I have lived and worked in both Auckland and Wellington over the coursr of my career. Now based in Auckland, I assist clients across Albany, Birkenhead, Browns Bay, East Coast Bays, Devonport, Milford, Pinehill, Sunnynook, Takapuna, and Torbay.
I have also recently extended my service to include clients in and around the Ponsonby area.
Business Networks
Conveyances
Malcolm Whitlock, Whitlock and Co, Barrister and Solicitor, Constellation Drive, North Harbour
Ph 4892457 Fax 4864137 Email mwhitlock@internet.co.nz
Jane Barclay, Legal Executive, Metro Law
Email jane@metrolaw.co.nz
Jane is a mobile conveyancer available to come to your home, business or other nominated place to assist with the legal requirements concerning your property and loan documents.
Registered Valuers
Bruce Donkin and Associates, Bruce Donkin
Ph 4180873
Bruce is very prompt and attentive to my clients needs and is always there to ensure that valuations are received according to deadlines. Bruce’s fees are very competitive in the market.
North Harbour Valuers
Murray Pelham
Ph 4450500
Mob 0274830858
Murray always takes time out to discuss with my clients, what their needs are. If a client needs a valuation completed in record time, Murray will always be available on his mobile.
Lyons and Co
Liam Lyons
Ph 4895329
Liam has been a valuer on the North Shore for many years and is always in high demand. He is well-known to many on the shore. Liam is always efficient and keen to meet clients needs.
Risk Adviser/Insurance
If you need risk cover (which you should definitely consider), I can assist you to find a good adviser who can ensure you are covered appropriately for your situation.
Chartered Accountants and Business Consultants
Huddleston and Rosser Ltd, Craig Le Quense
Ph 3797778 Fax 3034854 Email craigleq@hrca.co.nz
Craig is my own personal Accountant and is part of the business network group I belong to in Takapuna. Craig offers a mobile service to my clients and is always willing to sit down and explain taxation matters, and set up of various property investment structures.He lives on the shore and has offices in Parnell with his business partners.
Interior Design, TV, Commercial, Film, Fashion & Photographic Image Consultant/ Stylist
Janine La Hood
Mob 021533869
Email janinelahood@xtra.co.nz
Janine is currently engaged in designing the interior of our family home. We are thrilled with the advice that Janine has offered in renovating our home and her patience has been outstanding . Janine has even spent time with us picking out items of hardware for our bathroom ,on a Saturday afternoon! I trust Janine to listen and offer advise where it is needed and can certainly say, she has saved us from a few mistakes we would have made, had she not been readily available.
Testimonials
We have utilised Robyn’s Mortgage Brokering services for the purchase of our last two properties and have, on a number of occasions, discussed further possibilities with her while exploring mortgage options for other requirements.
It has been an absolutely pleasure working with Robyn during these occasions. At all times she displayed a professional and courteous attitude while still remaining friendly and accommodating to our enquiries – and there have been many!
We find Robyn to be a person with a huge amount of integrity who has managed to secure the best mortgage deal for us both times – taking the time to explain each and every step as required. In all our dealings with Robyn her responses have been prompt and timely. We have, and will continue to, recommend her Company to others as a result of our dealings with Robyn.
Jay and Lynda Curtis
We have been dealing with Robyn Ashkettle as our financial advisor and mortgage broker and friend, for the last seven years and cannot speak too highly of her.She has taken all the worry out of our housing transactions to the point where we now say “Robyn, please make it happen” and it does, flawlessly. She has helped friends and family members too, with my daughter Toni, now on her fourth property with Robyn and well on her way to being freehold before her father!
Lynne and Bob, Torbay
Robyn, the finance came through OK and the transfer of ownership of the house went smoothly so it is now mine (or a small part of it is). Thank you for all the work you did on my behalf – your efforts made the whole process so much easier and less stressful for me. You gave me prompt and excellence service – it was a pleasure to deal with you.
Marg
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