Buying a home used to mean checking the LIM, getting a builder’s report and sorting the mortgage. But natural hazards, insurance restrictions and increasingly complex property issues mean buyers now have much more to consider.

Solicitor and Landley Law director Sue Foley joins Nadine Higgins to explain the red flags buyers should look for, why insurance needs to be considered early, what sellers are required to disclose and why relying on someone else’s building report could leave you exposed.

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How often should you review your KiwiSaver — and what should you actually be looking at?

In this episode of The Prosperity Project, we talk through what matters when reviewing your KiwiSaver, from your retirement goals and contribution levels to fees, fund types and provider performance.

Financial commentator Russell Hutchinson explains why you shouldn’t just chase last year’s top-performing fund, how to think about active versus passive management, and why performance after fees is what really counts.

Plus, is checking your KiwiSaver balance every week helpful — or just a distraction?

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What happens when you simply can’t afford to pay your debts?

FinCap financial mentor Charlotte Whitakker joins The Prosperity Project to explain the options available when debt becomes overwhelming — from negotiating with lenders and hardship applications to KiwiSaver withdrawals, debt repayment orders and bankruptcy.

Plus, why buy now, pay later can fuel a debt spiral, when you should seek help, and why getting support earlier can make all the difference.

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Buying or selling a house is a complicated and often confusing process that real estate agents are smack in the middle of, and stand to benefit from.

So what should we share when dealing with an agent, and what should we keep close to our chest?

Barfoot & Thompson real estate agent Ryan Harding joins Nadine Higgins to explain what you need to consider as a vendor or a buyer, the things agents are obligated to disclose, whether commissions are negotiable, how to spot an inflated appraisal and which sales method could get the best result.

He also reveals why conditional buyers may need to pay more, what really happens when an auction passes in, and which buyers won't reap the rewards of a 'buyer's market.'

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Moving into a retirement village can offer community, convenience and freedom from maintaining a family home — but the financial arrangement is very different from buying property.

Anthony Harper law firm partner Jenny Baldwin explains occupation right agreements, ongoing fees, capital gains, deferred management fees, exit delays and the potential cost of moving into aged care. Plus, what residents and their families should check before signing anything.

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Are you raising a child who thinks money just appears?

From pocket money and piggy banks to KiwiSaver, first jobs and the temptation to bail them out, the lessons start much earlier than many parents realise. So, should chores earn cash? When should children start investing? And when is it better to let them make a mistake?

Hayden Mulholland from Become Wealth joins Nadine on The Prosperity Project to explain how to raise kids who actually understand money.

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Buying your first home can feel impossible, but you may be closer than you think.

Mortgage adviser Michelle Isemonger joins Nadine Higgins to explain how to prepare before applying for finance, what banks are looking for and whether you really need a 20% deposit.

They also cover pre-approval, KiwiSaver, auctions, insurance, buying with friends, credit card limits and the common mistakes that can derail a mortgage application.

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The OCR has risen, but does that automatically mean your mortgage rate will rise with it?

Economist and commentator Bernard Hickey explains what really drives fixed mortgage rates, why New Zealand’s banks remain exceptionally profitable, and whether the Reserve Bank has moved too soon while the economy remains weak.

He also decodes the jargon surrounding monetary policy — including hawks, doves, neutral rates, LVRs and DTIs — and considers whether New Zealand can build a functioning economy without relying on house prices to keep climbing.

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