Ksenia Stepanova

Auckland

Content Specialist, APAC at Key Media

News editor at Insurance Business NZ and NZ Adviser

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Articles

Property upgrade costs ease as mortgage rates drop

3 days ago | mpamag.com | Ksenia Stepanova

A new Cotality report reveals that the premium to trade-up is dropping across main centres By 26 Jun 2025 A new Cotality report says falling mortgage rates and easing trade-up premiums have created a good time for property owners to upgrade to larger homes. However, it’s still not cheap, with extra cost exceeding $100,000 nationally.
Advisers fear customer backlash as premiums soar - Good Returns

4 days ago | goodreturns.co.nz | Ksenia Stepanova

With AIA, UniMed, Southern Cross and Partners Life all hiking health insurance premiums by double digits, there is increasing concern that the scale of increases will drive customers away from cover Wednesday, June 25th 2025, 9:34AMby Ksenia StepanovaWith AIA, UniMed, Southern Cross and Partners Life all hiking health insurance premiums by double digits, there is increasing concern that the scale of increases will drive customers away from cover.
ASB cuts rates as economists project more OCR relief

4 days ago | mpamag.com | Ksenia Stepanova

"We're miles away from adding inflation pressure domestically," economist says By 25 Jun 2025 ASB has slashed fixed home lending rates by up to 16 basis points across five terms, offering immediate relief to mortgage holders and prospective homebuyers. This comes as economists increasingly signal the Reserve Bank should cut the Official Cash Rate (OCR) more aggressively.
Asteron won’t hike premiums despite better benefits

5 days ago | goodreturns.co.nz | Ksenia Stepanova

Asteron Life rolls out policy improvements and clearer definitions, saying it will absorb extra costs to keep premiums steady Tuesday, June 24th 2025, 8:51AMby Ksenia StepanovaAsteron Life rolls out policy improvements and clearer definitions, saying it will absorb extra costs to keep premiums steady. Asteron Life is improving its insurance policies without hiking premiums, while other insurers have put prices up throughout the year.
Bank delays stretch mortgage wait times to 10 days

5 days ago | mpamag.com | Ksenia Stepanova

Home loan applications are taking longer than ever to process, creating uncertainty for borrowers at critical moments in their property purchases By 24 Jun 2025 Mortgage advisers have been facing serious delays in bank processing times, and the Finance and Mortgage Advisers Association New Zealand (FAMNZ) wants banks to introduce clear service level agreements to address the problem.
Looking beyond rates: why cheapest isn't always best

1 week ago | mpamag.com | Ksenia Stepanova

Borrowers may lose out on bigger opportunities by chasing the cheapest rate By 19 Jun 2025 With mortgage rates continuing their downward trajectory from the 7.09% peak reached in early 2024 to current advertised rates below 5%, and the Official Cash Rate dropping to 3.25% in May, New Zealand borrowers have good reason to focus on interest costs. However, focusing exclusively on securing the cheapest possible rate could be costing them more than they realise.
Rate relief fails to revive market heading into winter

1 week ago | mpamag.com | Ksenia Stepanova

Increased cost of living has "hit the average Kiwi pretty hard in the pocket" By 18 Jun 2025 New Zealand's housing market remains in the doldrums despite significant mortgage rate reductions, with the latest REINZ data for May revealing a mixed picture of modest price gains overshadowed by declining sales and lengthening settlement times.
Economic and housing recovery "cloudier than ever"

1 week ago | mpamag.com | Ksenia Stepanova

Kiwibank has adjusted its forecasts, and it's looking muted By 17 Jun 2025 Kiwibank has downgraded its economic growth forecast for New Zealand to just 0.9% for 2025, down from a previous projection of 1.4%. Its housing market forecasts have also decreased, with prices continuing to trade sideways. Chief economist Jarrod Kerr said the global growth outlook is “cloudier than ever”, and New Zealand’s small open economy is particularly vulnerable to instability from overseas.
Getting developer deals right from the start

2 weeks ago | mpamag.com | Ksenia Stepanova

For mortgage advisers looking to diversify, the development space offers some exciting opportunities By 14 Jun 2025 Property development can be a lucrative venture, but it's also a minefield of financial pitfalls. As mortgage advisers look to diversify, property development can present some strong opportunities - but for those working with clients eyeing their first, or even second development project, understanding how to properly assess and structure these deals is crucial.
Ich wanderte wegen meiner Panikattacken nach Neuseeland aus

2 weeks ago | businessinsider.de | Ksenia Stepanova

Ich dachte, ein Umzug nach Neuseeland würde alle meine Probleme lösen. Doch dafür musste ich auch hart an mir arbeiten. Ksenia Stepanova Ich hatte in meinem Leben in London mit Panikattacken zu kämpfen. Vor sieben Jahren bin ich dann nach Neuseeland gezogen, weil ich dachte, das würde alle meine Probleme lösen.