The First Home Buyers Club

Step 3 of our 8-Step First Home Buying Journey is: Finding A House.

You have your pre-approval, and you're about to embark on your hunt for your perfect home!

Our guide covers all you need to know, including:

🔹 Key considerations for what to look for in the "right" property.
🔹 Top Websites for House Hunting.
🔹 Property ownership types.
🔹 Property sale methods.
🔹 And our Home Buyers Checklist.

Read the full guide at the link below in the comments.

Buy A Home. Win It Back

This is one of the most incredible offers we have seen in our time supporting first-home buyers.

For a limited time, eligible buyers at Vines Estate in Swanson will have a 1 in 10 chance to win their purchase price back. More info at the link in the comments.

At a time when saving a deposit, managing repayments, and getting into the market can feel incredibly tough, this is a rare opportunity that could genuinely change someone’s life.

Vines Estate also offers a great option for first home buyers looking at new builds in West Auckland, with modern homes, a growing community, and access to local amenities, transport, and the Waitākere Ranges.

If you’re a first home buyer considering a new build, this is one worth looking into.

Hat tip to Gemscott for making it possible.

*Terms and Conditions Apply*

Here are some practical tips for first home buyers right now...

✅ Get pre-approval before lending conditions potentially tighten.
Interest rates are increasing, and so are the test rates the banks use to calculate your home loan affordability.

✅ Stress-test your repayments above today's rates
Calculate your repayments at 6%+ to ensure you can manage future interest rate increases.

✅ Negotiate strongly during the current soft housing market
House prices are steady, and the market is subdued. Take your time to understand the options and make informed decisions before committing

✅ Focus on sustainable repayments, not maximum borrowing
Borrowing your maximum doesn't always make sense — focus on what's comfortably manageable long-term

✅ Consider split loan terms for flexibility and certainty
Splitting loans can spread the risk of rising interest rates for a mix of flexibility and certainty.

We’ve broken down the first home buying steps. Step 2 is Home Loan Pre-Approval 🏡

Once you’ve got your deposit plan underway, the next step is understanding how much you may be able to borrow.

A home loan pre-approval can help you:

✅ Understand your budget before you start house hunting
✅ Know what the bank is likely to look for
✅ Spot any issues early, before you find the right home
✅ Make stronger, more confident offers
✅ Understand what documents you’ll need to prepare

Pre-approval is not a final “yes” from the bank, but it is an important step in getting mortgage-ready.

We’ve put together a guide to help first home buyers understand how pre-approval works, what documents are usually required, and how a mortgage adviser can help.

📚 Read Step 2 at the link in the comments

We've given our New Build Directory a fresh update 🏡

So if you're considering a New Build for your first home, it's now even easier to browse new build homes across Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, and beyond.

🔹 Filter by region, home type, bedrooms, and price.
🔹 Register your interest directly from the listing.
🔹 Save your favourite homes in your first home dashboard.

Over 100 new builds listed (and growing). All in one place. All built with first home buyers in mind.
Check it out at the link in the comments.👇️

🏠 House prices are moving sideways, but interest rates are moving up.

This OneRoof article shows property values were flat in May, with buyers still cautious and sellers not rushing to drop prices.

For first home buyers, that means the market may feel slower, but your borrowing power can still change quickly if mortgage rates rise.

A flat market does not automatically mean every home is a bargain. It still pays to know your budget, understand your repayments, and get advice before making an offer.

Preparation matters more than trying to perfectly time the market.

Read the article here:

House prices shuffle sideways as interest rate rises pick up speed Buyers aren’t in any hurry, but sellers don’t seem to be budging on price.

Are you unsure if you're ready to buy your first home? 🏡

It’s exciting, but a bit overwhelming. You might be scrolling listings, daydreaming, and wondering if now’s the right time. You’re not alone. Start by tracking the market, setting a clear budget, and getting advice from a mortgage pro. Small steps = big progress.

We've provided some guidance and inspiration to help you confirm you're ready to buy your first home. Read our tips at the link in the comments.

5 Signs You're Ready to Buy Your First Home Discover the five key signs that show you're in a strong position to buy your first home in New Zealand, from deposit readiness to having a clear buying plan.

We’ve broken down the first home buying steps to help make the process feel a little less overwhelming.

First up: Deposit Options 🏡

For many first home buyers, the deposit is the part that feels like the biggest hurdle. But your deposit does not always need to come from savings alone.

Depending on your situation, your deposit could include:

🥝 KiwiSaver first home withdrawal
🏦 Personal savings
👨‍👩‍👧 Family gifting or support
🏡 Family equity support
🔑 Low deposit lending options
🏘️ New build deposit pathways

And while a 20% deposit can give you more options, it is not always the only way to buy your first home.

The important thing is understanding what banks may accept, what counts as genuine savings, how KiwiSaver can be used, and what risks can come with buying with a smaller deposit.

We’ve put together a guide to help first home buyers understand the different deposit options available in NZ, read all about first home deposit options at the link below in the comments.

🏠 Do you really need a 20% deposit to buy your first home?

Not always.

A recent Stuff article highlighted that nearly half of first home buyers are now purchasing with less than a 20% deposit — the highest level on record.

That is an important reminder that the 20% deposit milestone is not the only pathway into home ownership.

For some buyers, low-deposit lending can be a genuine way to get into the market sooner.

But it is important to understand the trade-offs.

Buying with a low deposit can mean:

• Stricter bank approval criteria
• Higher repayments
• Low equity margins or premiums added to your interest rate
• Less financial buffer if property values fall
• Greater pressure if your income or expenses change

So while a 20% deposit is not always required, that does not mean every buyer should rush in with a smaller deposit.

The key question is not just “Can I get approved?”

It is also: “Can I comfortably afford the loan, manage the risks, and still have a plan after settlement?”

For some first home buyers, waiting longer and building a stronger deposit may be the right move. For others, buying sooner with the right structure and advice may make sense.

You can read the Stuff article here: https://www.stuff.co.nz/home-property/360984702/nearly-half-all-first-home-buyers-are-skipping-20-deposit-milestone-highest-record

And if you are unsure where you stand, take our free Home Readiness Quiz and get a clearer idea of your next step. 👉 http://www.thefirsthomebuyersclub.co.nz/hrq

Nearly half of all first home buyers are skipping the 20% deposit milestone, highest on record The number of first-home buyers jumping into the property market without a 20% deposit has hit its highest level since records began, more than doubling over the past decade.