Time for mortgage advisers to be more hands-on

It is backing up comments from ASB urging potential homeowners and those with mortgages to consult advisers due to economic uncertainty and a potential turning point in interest rates.

In its recent investor confidence survey ASB found a flat housing market, sharemarket volatility and global geopolitical and trade uncertainty are weighing on people’s views.

ASB senior wealth economist Chris Tennent-Brown says from a property investment perspective, the thing that is weighing on the mood is just how flat the market has been.

“It’s been taking a bit longer than anyone would have rightfully expected to see any sort of pickup with these lower mortgage rates. It feels like it’s a bit of a slow burn."