This week’s expected OCR by the RBNZ and a signal it will make another is not going to be nowhere enough to dig the economy out of its hole.

Economists expect the OCR will drop on Wednesday as the economy struggles and unemployment hits a five-year high.

New research shows 72% of Kiwis without a home believe buying a property is beyond their reach.

Kiwibank says the stars, or data, have aligned for an OCR cut next week to 3% and an eventual move to 2.5%.

The RBNZ’s most watched barometer of inflation expectations has dropped after increasing sharply in February.

In what could be a global first, Dylan Ferreira from Vega has launched a new website-based business where New Zealand and Australian advisers can exclusively buy and sell mortgage, insurance and wealth books.

Economists are pushing for two OCR cuts before the end of the year in light of the weak labour market data.

One-year fixed term mortgages became the overwhelming choice for home buyers in June.

With about 40% of existing mortgages due to roll over in the next six months and another 10% on floating rates, now could be the best time for those borrowers. That’s because Kiwibank is predicting the RBNZ will be forced to cut interest rates more than either it or the market currently expects, due to weaker economic data both here and overseas.

Advisers may have to spend time in the next few months giving plenty of clients’ advice on how to manage their mortgages if they lose their jobs.

While interest rates have been dropping, the decline has not been enough to stop nearly $2.5 billion in residential mortgage loans slipping into the non-performing category.

Higher qualifications and standards across the board are needed for advisers coming into the mortgage industry, says Matthieu Olo-Whaanga of Tasman Finance Partners.

Westpac economists say their forecast of 6.2% growth in house prices growth this year now looks optimistic when they have only ramped up 1% in the past six months.

There has been an increase in suspected mortgage fraud being reported to the FMA.

A housing market deep in the doldrums is likely to stay stalled for some time yet, ANZ says.

Mortgage holders switching lenders has reached a new high – up 30% during June.