Q&A with Our “No Legal Cost” Refinancing Client – Alwyn Jones

At Smartmortgages.co.nz Limited, we take pride in helping our clients achieve better outcomes with their lending. Recently, we assisted Alwyn Jones with refinancing his investment properties. During the process, one of his loans qualified for a lender package that covered the legal transfer costs: saving him from paying solicitor fees for that portion of the refinance.

We caught up with Alwyn to hear about his experience.

Q: Alwyn, may you tell us a little about yourself?
A: I’m a Finance and Operations Manager and own a small portfolio of residential properties here in New Zealand. I’ve been investing in residential real estate for about 25 years.

Q: What made you reach out to Smartmortgages.co.nz Limited?
A: I chose the company because they put clients’ best interests first. In the past, I’ve dealt with brokers who didn’t fully act on my behalf. For example, Smartmortgages.co.nz Limited helped split my investment mortgages across different banks, which suits my investment strategy very well. 

Q: Were you aware you might qualify for the “no legal cost” refinancing option beforehand?
A: No, I wasn’t. This was a major benefit that hadn’t been highlighted to me previously.

Q: How much did you save by not having to pay legal fees for the refinance?
A: Approximately $1,500.

Q: Why didn’t your second property qualify for the same benefit?
A: That property was held in an LTC (Look-Through Company), which didn’t meet the criteria.

Q: Without using a solicitor, how did you manage the paperwork for the lender?
A: The documents were provided to me via an online portal. I reviewed and completed them online, which was simple and straightforward. 

Q: How would you describe your overall experience working with us?
A: I’m very happy with the service, especially the clear communication and regular updates from Cong. I felt like I received special treatment and would highly recommend Smartmortgages.co.nz Limited to others

Q: If someone wanted to speak with you about your experience, would you be open to it?
A: Yes, genuine enquiries are welcome. I can be contacted on 027 246 4105.

Thanks for your time, Alwyn. 

Could You Be Eligible for “No Legal Cost” Refinancing?

Here are the criteria:

• Your home loan balance is $50,000 or more

• You have at least 20% equity in your property

• No more than two properties are used as security

• No guarantors are required

• Property ownership remains unchanged

• Loan documents are signed directly by the property owner

Disclaimer: Lending criteria, terms, and conditions apply. Offers vary by lender and are subject to change. Eligibility will depend on your financial situation and lender approval.