Buying A Home? Need Help?

Chanelle Wilson gets a big buzz from helping people through the process of securing a mortgage and buying a house.

“I love helping people help themselves to achieve goals and see them move into their own home.”

Two years ago, the New Plymouth woman went out as a mortgage advisor and a year ago launched Chanelle Wilson Mortgages to provide a free advisory service to people seeking to buy their first home, their next house or an investment property. Her focus is residential buyers.

As a mortgage advisor, Chanelle is accredited to work with 20-plus banks and non-bank lenders. “So, I have options to find the best deal for their financial position and that may be going back to their own bank.”

Chanelle, a woman of great energy, enthusiasm and determination, has been named as one of the Elite Women 2024. Supported by NZ Adviser, the award honours 40 of New Zealand’s most inspiring women in the finance industry.

“It’s recognition of what I do – it’s really cool, but I think I can do better.”

Always pushing herself, Chanelle’s website has multiple blogs about topical subjects, including “Top tips for preparing for the end of the financial year”, “Is 2024 the year you’ll save your house deposit?” and “what does mindful spending look like?”

Her knowledge comes from eight years working in the finance industry. When she left school, Chanelle studied interior design and drafting, but found it hard to find a job in Taranaki, so became a teller at the TSB. She then went overseas, visiting 32 countries in Europe on a Topdeck tour, and kept travelling.

Back in Taranaki she worked for a mortgage advisor, assisting her with all aspects of the business, plus running charity events to support the Roderique Hope Trust, which provides emergency housing for people in need. To raise money for the charitable trust, Chanelle organised a golf day and a dinner each year, bringing in up to $23,000 per event.

Then she crossed the ditch. “I did a bit of a stint, pre-covid, doing asset and finance work in Sydney. That was in the secondtier lending space – non bank lenders.” As the pandemic ramped up, Chanelle returned to Taranaki “and got stuck here”.

She returned to the TSB as a lender, bought her own house and decided to fly solo. “I realised I wanted to work for myself, and with having experience as a lender at the TSB bank more recently, I took the leap of faith and went out on my own,” she says.

If people are considering buying a home, they can meet with Chanelle – and it usually won’t cost them anything for her help. “Anyone can come to me as long as you want a mortgage. I love to help the first home buyers or people wanting that next home. It’s a long-term relationship with me – I’m here to help you with the process.”

Five-star Google reviews from clients show Chanelle’s mortgage advice process is working. “I found Chanelle to be absolutely professional, friendly, fully engaged with brilliant communication keeping me informed during every step of the process,” said one.

Another client said: “I can’t thank Chanelle enough for securing us lending on our dream home. She was kind and professional at a stressful time for us, trying to buy and sell whilst overseas . . . she got us a dream result!”

Along with supporting clients, she would like to mentor younger mortgage advisors, providing the support she would have liked to have had herself.

Chanelle also deals with relationship separations. “There’s a lot of emotions with those.”

These situations can involve a lot of legal work, so Chanelle says she refers people to lawyers, who are the experts. She also encourages her clients to seek professional advice from banks, real estate agents, maybe accountants and sometimes a registered valuer. She connects with clients by phone, video calls or in person.

Right now, Chanelle is living in a caravan with her partner, Brad Still of Urban Prefab, while their house is being built, so she meets clients at cafes and other places they feel comfortable. She loves the flexibility of working her own hours, but has a routine around going to the BFT gym in New Plymouth most days.

Chanelle admits she’s a risk taker, hungry for more challenges and passionate about doing her absolute best to help people buy homes. “I absolutely love what I do and the freedom it gives you and the rewards you get seeing people reach their goals.”

Contact Chanelle: chanelle@chanellewilsonmortgages.co.nz 027 288 3333