Hi SL,

We have a number of properties in NZ, all of which we’ve financed within NZ. Typical LVR offered to oversear investors is 80% until you get a number of properties under your belt – then the banks tend to push back to 70%. We’ve been able to get better deals (and better relationships!) by dealing direct with the bank rather than brokers.

In our experience, banks in NZ don’t offer offset accounts (we got a few blank stares when we asked about this originally). Not sure if anyone else has found one that does? So if you specifically want an offset facility, you’ll probably need to raise the finance here in Oz (and potentially provide Australian security – banks over here typically won’t accept an overseas asset as security).

Good luck with the NZ investments!!

Cheers,
Simon

[baaa]