Lending Tools
Two calculations every NZ bank runs before they approve a home loan. Run them yourself in seconds, understand what the results mean, and walk in the door knowing exactly where you stand.
Your LVR
Borrowing $640,000 of a $800,000 property
What this means for your application
Trebla tip
Even a 5% increase in deposit can unlock significantly better rates and more lender options. We'll show you exactly what difference it makes.
Buying your first home? Read our First Home Buyers Guide →
LVR calculations are indicative. Lender policies, valuations, and RBNZ speed limits all affect approval. Talk to our team for a personalised assessment.
Your Debts
Banks use your total limit, not what you owe
Your Income
Your DTI Ratio
$640,000 total debt ÷ $130,000 income
What this means for your application
How to improve your DTI
Trebla tip
In this example, the same $640,000 home loan sits at 4.9× DTI with no other debt — but add a $20k car loan and it moves to 5.1×. Small debts have a large impact on borrowing power.
DTI calculations are indicative. Lender servicing tests and RBNZ speed limits apply. Talk to our team for your personalised picture.
Education
Most people focus on their credit score when preparing to buy — but in NZ, LVR and DTI are the two primary filters every bank applies. Understanding them changes how you prepare.
The lower your LVR, the less risk the bank carries. At 80% or below, you're in the standard lending zone — more lenders, better rates, less scrutiny. Every extra dollar of deposit reduces your LVR and expands your options.
Since July 2024, the Reserve Bank limits how much high-DTI lending banks can do each quarter. If your DTI is above 6×, you're not necessarily declined — but your options narrow considerably. Cleaning up other debt before you apply can dramatically increase your approved amount.
Paid off a car loan? Your DTI improves. Saved an extra $20k? Your LVR drops. Running both calculations regularly gives you a live view of where you stand — and what to target next.
