Milford Local.
North Shore Proud.
Helping People
NZ Wide.
I'm Stephen McFarland, a Financial Adviser based in Milford on Auckland's North Shore, specialising in residential lending and refinancing. I work with first home buyers, homeowners and property investors to understand their options and make confident lending decisions.
Simple doesn't mean less advice.
It means less noise.
Hi, thanks for stopping by.I like to keep my website the same way I like to work with clients — clear, straightforward and easy to navigate.There's already a huge amount of information about mortgages online. You won't find endless pages of jargon here, an overload of interest rates, or another 30-page 'Ultimate Guide to Your Mortgage' to download.That's not because those things can't be useful. I just don't think you necessarily need more information.You need to understand which information actually matters to you.The aim of my website is to help you better understand who I am, what I can help with and how I work.And if you want to know what information is relevant to your situation?I'd rather cut through the noise and have a meaningful conversation about what matters to you.
Mortgage Review or Refinancing?
You don't need to be changing banks to benefit from a mortgage review.A mortgage review could help you:
Check if you're on a competitive rate
Improve your loan structure
Reduce interest costs over time
Access equity for future plans
Understand your options before your fixed rate expires
Explore solutions from a range of lenders
A mortgage review doesn't always mean changing something.
Sometimes the best option is to stay exactly where you are.The important thing is knowing you've explored your options, so you can have peace of mind that what you have today still makes sense for where you're heading.
Buying Your First Home?
Buying your first home is exciting, but knowing where to start can feel overwhelming.Between deposits, KiwiSaver, pre-approvals and understanding what you might be able to borrow, there is a lot to consider.I can help you:
Understand your deposit and KiwiSaver options.
Explore how much you may be able to borrow.
Identify any steps that could improve your position.
Compare options across a range of lenders.
Understand what is involved in securing pre-approval.
Feel prepared before you start looking at properties.
You do not need to have everything figured out before we talk.
Whether you are ready to buy or simply want to understand what might be possible, we can start with a conversation and work through your options together.
About Me
Before becoming a Financial Adviser, I spent more than 20 years in senior leadership roles across professional services, construction and property. It's a background that's given me a strong understanding of people, property, business and making important decisions.Originally from Northern Ireland, I've lived in New Zealand for 20 years and call the North Shore in Auckland, home with my family. We're based in Milford, but I work with clients throughout New Zealand.
How I Can Help
Buying your first home
Buying your next home
Reviewing or refinancing your mortgage
Buying an investment property
Using equity for renovations or future plans
Restructuring your existing home loan
What You Can Expect
A personalised approach based on your goals and situation
Responsive, client-focused service backed by 20+ years of leadership and customer experience
Clear, straightforward advice without unnecessary jargon
Access to 30+ lenders and a wide range of lending solutions
A simpler, less stressful mortgage experience from start to finish
Backed by Finance Link
As part of Finance Link, I'm supported by an established New Zealand financial services provider, giving me access to 30+ lenders and a structured, compliant advice process.This means you benefit from:
Access to competitive lending options and solutions
Greater flexibility when exploring your options
Combined with a personalised approach, this allows me to focus on finding a lending solution that makes sense for you.Finance Link is a New Zealand-based financial services provider supporting advisers and clients nationwide.
Let's Start With a Conversation
Whether you're based here in Milford, elsewhere on the North Shore or further afield, tell me a little about your situation and what you're looking to achieve. I'll help you understand what's possible and what the next steps could look like.
Milford Local.
North Shore Proud.
Helping People
NZ Wide.
What does a mortgage adviser actually do?
A mortgage adviser helps you understand your home-loan options and works with lenders on your behalf. That can include assessing how much you may be able to borrow, comparing suitable lenders, structuring your lending and managing the application through to approval and settlement.For me, it starts with a conversation. I want to understand where you are now, what you’re hoping to achieve and what matters most to you. From there, I can easily explain your options without all the jargon, help with the paperwork and guide you through each step of the process.
Does it cost anything to use a mortgage adviser?
In most cases, there is no direct cost to you for my mortgage-advice service because the lender pays a commission when your lending settles. This means you can get help understanding your options, preparing your application and dealing with the banks without receiving a separate advice bill.There can be situations where a fee may apply, for example, if a lender doesn’t pay commission or lending is repaid within a certain period. If that applies to your situation, I’ll explain it clearly before you decide to proceed. There shouldn’t be any unexpected surprises.
Do I need all my documents ready before contacting you?
No. You don’t need to have a perfectly organised folder of payslips, statements and paperwork before getting in touch. An initial conversation can simply be about where you are, what you’re hoping to achieve and whether there may be a realistic pathway forward.If you decide to explore things further, I’ll give you a clear list of what is needed. This will commonly include identification, proof of income, recent bank statements and details of your existing debts or home loan.We can work through everything one step at a time, the paperwork doesn’t need to be the starting point.
How much deposit do I need to buy my first home?
A 20% deposit generally gives you access to more lending options, but it isn’t always essential. Some first-home buyers may be able to purchase with a smaller deposit, depending on their income, existing debts, account conduct, the property and the lending policies available at the time.Your deposit could also include KiwiSaver funds and, in some circumstances, help from family.Rather than assuming you need to reach a particular number before speaking with someone, it can be worthwhile checking where you stand. Even if you’re not ready today, we can identify what needs to happen next.
Is refinancing my mortgage worth considering?
Refinancing means moving your home loan from one lender to another. It may be worth considering if you want a more competitive interest rate, a different loan structure, access to equity, debt consolidation or simply better service from your bank.However, a lower advertised rate doesn’t automatically mean switching is worthwhile. Break costs, legal fees, cashback conditions and the longer-term cost all need to be considered.I can compare the wider picture, including what your existing bank may offer, and help you understand whether changing lenders could leave you better off or whether staying where you are makes more sense.
Got a different question?
These are just a few of the common questions I’m asked, but you may have one that’s specific to you and your situation.If so, drop me a message below.Let’s have a chat and see if I can help you find the answer.
Send Me a Message
Whether you're based here in Milford, elsewhere on the North Shore or further afield, tell me a little about your situation and what you're looking to achieve.I'll help you understand what's possible and what the next steps could look like.