Apartment investing
Question from Andrea updated on 11th November 2019:
I am a Kiwi that has lived in the US for 30+ years. Both of my parents recently passed away and I have just completed the sale of my parents' properties in Lake Tarawera and Wellington. I am now looking at an apartment investment in Mount Victoria in Wellington. I invest in the US in multi-unit apartments but I am new to investing in NZ.
What is the maximum loan to value currently offered by New Zealand banks? And which bank would you recommend for up to 12 unit properties?
The rents are currently under market and my plan would be to increase as leases roll over. I have read about the huge run-up in rents due to supply constraints: do you see that continuing for some time? Do apartment investors look purely at gross yield (50 x weekly income/value) or other metrics?
Our expert Kris Pedersen responded:
When you ask what the maximum LVR is for property I am presuming you are referring to investment properties. This is currently 70% unless looking at new builds which are exempt from the restrictions.
It is hard to say which bank is going to be best for up to 12 units as this will depend on the actual properties in question, whether they are all on one title or not and then the remainder of your profile.
In regards to apartments most investors will be looking at net yields with body corps also needing to be taken into consideration. (Let alone the other costs that should be looked at as well.)
Kris Pedersen of Kris Pedersen Mortgages is a commentator on property and finance. His team sources top finance strategies. www.krispedersen.co.nz
