Homes as investments – Mary Holm

NZ Herald 14 March 2026

mary — Fri, 13 Mar 2026 11:00:04 +0000

Should 78-year-old sell her home to neighbours and rent from them? Life insurance no longer needed Does CPI inflation include surcharges? Modern caravans not like the old days Many ideas for spending inheritance 2 Q&As on ethics around student loans QMy mum (78) lives alone in a house in Sandringham worth about $1.5 million. She’s currently still working full time but probably not for...

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NZ Herald 6 December 2025

mary — Fri, 05 Dec 2025 11:00:40 +0000

Couple in 70s sell home to fund retirement fun While couple in 50s may choose to stay renting How young reader may get into housing market Where are those tiny KiwiSaver fees? QWe are in our early 70s, retired, and will shortly have about $1 million from the sale of our house. Does it makes more sense to tip that sum into KiwiSaver or give it to a wealth management company? We are mortgage-free...

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RNZ Radio 20 November 2025

mary — Thu, 20 Nov 2025 02:15:37 +0000

Email from woman with mortgage-free house challenging my statement about renting being cheaper than home ownership Text from man challenging what I say about active fund management Listen to the segment below, or click here to read Radio NZ’s summary. You can listen to these sessions as podcasts. Subscribe free to Mary’s RNZ podcast here. No paywalls or ads — just generous people like...

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RNZ Radio 11 September 2025

mary — Thu, 11 Sep 2025 03:15:01 +0000

Now it’s a “buyers’ market’ — but don’t try to time markets Get a LIM — important info See property at different times Check the neighbourhood Online valuations Building inspection Negotiating — including auctions Very important: be prepared to walk away. There are always other good houses! Listen to the segment below, or click here to read Radio NZ’s summary.

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NZ Herald 5 July 2025

mary — Fri, 04 Jul 2025 12:00:16 +0000

How rental market works in one apartment block … and in the whole economy Am I biased? And socialist? QI write regarding last week’s letter about landlords being charitable for too long and needing to raise rents. Landlords need to remember that their market is individuals with limits on what they can pay in rent. These individuals are also not a charity to support indigent landlords.

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NZ Herald 7 June 2025

mary — Fri, 06 Jun 2025 12:00:03 +0000

You’ve done well, but don’t lose compassion Spending seems to rise in retirement? Living on NZ Super — with plan for health costs Not Planning on Home Ownership QAs immigrants, we had to start all over again, with two preschoolers. Money was spent within our means, no fast food and junk, just wholesome meals and an annual holiday as a meaningful treat. It was boring, and a lot of will...

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NZ Herald 26 April 2025

mary — Fri, 25 Apr 2025 12:00:53 +0000

Home ownership v shares KiwiSaver funds beat inflation Deposit compensation list released Should woman borrow more than she needs? Where to get into on reverse mortgages and home reversion Boost KiwiSaver contributions any time Shorter questions please Q“There really are two kinds of people in this country; those who would rather own their home outright, even though the math shows that you’d...

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NZ Herald 5 April 2025

mary — Fri, 04 Apr 2025 11:00:58 +0000

Slow down huge mortgage payments and live a little … … Similar for couple in 60s — spend that KiwiSaver Misunderstanding about reverse mortgages Is Warren Buffett’s company still best investment? 3 Q&As on Deposit Compensation Scheme — on timing, joint accounts, KiwiSaver QI have been following your advice to pay my mortgage as quickly as possible since selling and buying a new home mid last...

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NZ Herald 15 March 2025

mary — Fri, 14 Mar 2025 11:00:12 +0000

Pensions available for ex-servicemen and women — and their partners A reverse mortgage can work well Reader dislikes house price falls 2 Q&As on budget of retirees who live on NZ Super and save… … and should they be getting allowance? 2 Q&As on spending in your nineties Is Super included in retirement spending “rules”? Don’t bail out of KiwiSaver in turbulent times QA friend mentioned that...

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NZ Herald 8 March 2025

mary — Fri, 07 Mar 2025 11:00:22 +0000

How to stop your heirs selling a family treasure Couple lives on NZ Super, and saves $100 a week Managed funds or term deposits How much is needed to retire early? Do houses outgrow KiwiSaver? QReading your Q&As on dividing inheritance reminded me of a recent Seven Sharp segment about New Zealand art sales at the International Art Centre. To my surprise, a family heirloom—a Goldie painting we...

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