
Episode #22
OCR Up 0.25% — So Your Mortgage Rate Goes Up Too... Right?
To get help with a new home loan or update an existing one, reach out to the friendly AMS team here: https://www.advancedmortgagesolutions... In this September 2026 mortgage update, Mortgage Matters host Joel Sadler talks with mortgage adviser Scott Miller from Advanced Mortgage Solutions about the latest New Zealand OCR increase and what it actually means for home loan interest rates. Around a week and a half after the OCR increase, Scott explains that the immediate changes he has seen have largely been to floating mortgage rates, while the fixed mortgage rates discussed in this episode – including shorter fixed terms – had not simply increased in line with the OCR. So why doesn't an OCR increase automatically translate into the same increase across every mortgage rate? Scott explains the difference between floating and fixed mortgage rates, how banks fund home lending, and why longer-term fixed rates can be influenced by factors beyond the Reserve Bank's Official Cash Rate. Joel and Scott also discuss mortgage assessment rates – the higher rates banks can use when testing whether borrowers can afford a home loan – and why an OCR increase doesn't necessarily mean those assessment rates immediately change either. For first-home buyers and anyone planning to purchase a property this spring, there's another important consideration: mortgage pre-approval. As New Zealand heads into the traditionally busier spring property market, bank turnaround times can increase. Scott explains why getting your mortgage pre-approval underway early can help you understand your borrowing position before you find a property you want to buy. In this episode: 00:00 Welcome and Introductions 00:25 OCR Update and What Changed 01:06 Floating vs Fixed Mortgage Rates 02:54 Bank Assessment Rates and Buffers 04:54 Why Longer Fixed Rates Can Differ 06:39 Spring Property Market and Pre-Approval 07:37 Bank Turnaround Times and Getting Ahead 09:11 Final Mortgage Tips and Wrap Up If you're buying a home, refinancing or want to understand how current mortgage rates and lending conditions may affect you, contact Scott and the team at Advanced Mortgage Solutions. Mortgage rates and lending criteria can change. The information discussed reflects the market at the time this episode was recorded. For assistance with a new or existing home loan, reach out to Advanced Mortgage Solutions today. www.advancedmortgagesolutions.co.nz

