Deposit & Savings
How to Supercharge Your First Home Deposit in New Zealand
Learn proven strategies to accelerate your savings and reach your deposit goal faster with KiwiSaver and smart saving techniques.
Read More →First Home Buyer Articles
Expert guidance, tips, and advice for your first home buying journey
First Home Tips
Moving Into Your First Home in New Zealand: Expert Tips from The Smooth Movers
Essential advice for a stress-free move into your first home, including exclusive member discounts and professional moving tips.
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Property Search
What Is a Unit Title? Essential Guide for First-Home Buyers in New Zealand
Complete guide to understanding unit titles for first-home buyers in NZ. Learn about body corporate, strata titles, maintenance responsibilities, and legal requirements.
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Property Search
Buying a Monolithic or Plaster Home in New Zealand: What First Home Buyers Should Know
Essential guide for first-home buyers considering monolithic or plaster homes in New Zealand. Learn about weathertightness, inspections, insurance, and legal protections.
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First Home Tips
Protecting Your Property and Assets When Buying Your First Home
Essential legal guidance for first-home buyers on relationship property agreements, trusts, and protecting your assets when purchasing property in New Zealand.
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Home Loans
New Builds: Construction Loan vs Turnkey – What First Home Buyers Need to Know
Complete guide for first-home buyers comparing construction loans and turnkey packages in New Zealand. Learn about costs, risks, and which option is right for you.
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Property Search
A First Home Buyer's Guide to Real Estate Terms and Sale Methods in New Zealand
Essential guide to understanding real estate terms, sale methods, and property jargon for first-home buyers in New Zealand. Learn about auctions, deadline sales, and more.
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Home Loans
How to Secure a New Build with a 5% Deposit
Learn how first-home buyers can secure a new build in Auckland with just 5% deposit using the First Home Loan scheme and KiwiSaver.
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Property Search
New Build vs Existing Properties: Pros and Cons for First Home Buyers in New Zealand
Comprehensive guide comparing new builds and existing properties for first-home buyers in New Zealand. Learn about costs, maintenance, location, and which option suits you best.
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Home Loans
Should I Use a Mortgage Adviser or Go Direct to the Bank?
Essential guide for first-home buyers comparing mortgage advisers vs going direct to banks. Learn the pros, cons, and which option suits you best.
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Property Search
What First Home Buyers Need to Know When Considering Buying at Auction
Essential guide on buying property at auction in New Zealand. Learn about preparation, risks, due diligence, and auction strategies.
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First Home Tips
How to Work With Real Estate Agents When Buying Your First Home
Essential guide on working with real estate agents. Learn strategies, protect your interests, and navigate the property market effectively.
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Home Loans
Want To Afford Your First Home Mortgage? Make Sure You Have a Monthly Surplus
Essential guide on maintaining a monthly financial surplus to afford mortgage repayments. Learn how to calculate and improve your surplus.
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Home Loans
How Much Can I Borrow For My First Home?
Comprehensive guide on mortgage borrowing capacity. Learn about income assessment, expenses, DTI ratios, and how to maximise your borrowing power.
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Home Loans
Understanding Low Equity Margins in New Zealand
Essential guide on low equity margins (LEMs), low equity premiums (LEPs), and lenders mortgage insurance (LMI). Learn how to minimize these costs.
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Home Loans
7 Steps to Get Mortgage-Ready for Your First Home
Essential 7-step guide to prepare for mortgage approval. Learn about documents, credit checks, employment verification, and expert strategies.
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Property Search
Why Building Reports Are Essential for First Home Buyers
Essential guide on the importance of building reports and pre-purchase property inspections. Learn what they include, costs, and how to act on findings.
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First Home Tips
Protection Plan: Insurance for Your First Home
Comprehensive guide on home insurance, contents insurance, life cover, and mortgage protection for first-home buyers in New Zealand.
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Home Loans
Pre-Approvals vs Live Deals: What First Home Buyers Need to Know
Essential guide for first-home buyers on mortgage pre-approvals vs live deals in New Zealand. Learn about timing, bank restrictions, and expert strategies for success.
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Deposit & Savings
Understanding Loan-to-Value Ratio (LVR) and How It Affects Your Deposit
Essential guide for first-home buyers on understanding LVR restrictions in New Zealand. Learn how loan-to-value ratios affect your deposit, lending limits, and mortgage approval.
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Home Loans
The Impact of Credit Scores on Mortgage Approval: Tips for First-Time Buyers
Essential guide for first-home buyers on understanding credit scores in New Zealand. Learn how your credit score affects mortgage approval and practical tips to improve it.
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Property Search
Negotiation Strategies for First Home Buyers in New Zealand
Essential negotiation strategies for first-home buyers in New Zealand. Learn proven techniques to secure your dream home and save thousands on your property purchase.
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Deposit & Savings
How Market Volatility Can Hurt First Home Buyers Using KiwiSaver
Essential guide for first-home buyers on protecting your KiwiSaver deposit from market volatility. Learn when to switch to a Conservative Fund.
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Home Loans
How To Get A Mortgage For Your First Home In New Zealand
Comprehensive guide to getting a mortgage for your first home in New Zealand. Learn about mortgage types, required documents, and how to assess your affordability.
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Legal
The Importance of a LIM Report: What You Need to Know
Essential guide for first-home buyers on LIM reports in New Zealand. Learn why Land Information Memorandum reports are crucial for due diligence.
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Legal
Buying Property With Others: Things To Be Aware Of
Essential guide for first-home buyers on co-ownership risks in New Zealand. Learn about Property Sharing Agreements and protecting your interests.
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Legal
So, You Think You are Ready to Make an Offer?
Comprehensive legal guide for first-home buyers in New Zealand on making property offers. Learn about conditions, due diligence, and finance approval.
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Legal
The Challenges of Cross Lease Properties
Essential guide for first-home buyers on cross lease properties in New Zealand. Learn about defective titles, lease instruments, and what to consider.
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Deposit & Savings
Why Your KiwiSaver Fund Choice is so Important for First-Home Buyers
Essential guide for first-home buyers on choosing the right KiwiSaver fund. Learn about growth vs conservative funds and matching your fund to your timeline.
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Property Search
House & Land Packages and Turnkey Packages - What is the Difference?
Essential guide for first-home buyers on the differences between House & Land packages and Turnkey packages in New Zealand.
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Legal
Neighbourly Tensions: Battling it out Over the Fence!
Essential guide for homeowners on fencing laws in New Zealand. Learn about the Fencing Act 1978, fencing covenants, and how to resolve disputes.
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Legal
Boundary Harmony: Navigating Encroachments
Essential guide for property buyers on boundary encroachments in New Zealand. Learn how to identify encroachments and understand your legal options.
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Home Loans
When Should I Engage a Mortgage Adviser?
Learn when to engage a mortgage adviser on your home-buying journey. From early planning to settlement, discover how a mortgage broker can help.
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Legal
Key Clauses in the ADLS/REINZ Agreement for Sale & Purchase of Real Estate
Comprehensive guide for first-home buyers on understanding the Sale and Purchase Agreement in New Zealand. Learn about key clauses, conditions, and terms.
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Property Search
Making an Offer
Step-by-step guide for first-home buyers on making an offer on a house in New Zealand. Learn about finances, conditions, negotiations, and the sale process.
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First Home Tips
3 Tips for Buying Your First Home This Year
Key tips for first-home buyers to get closer to securing a home loan pre-approval. Learn about reducing debt, budgeting, and confirming affordability.
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Deposit & Savings
Tips For Saving Money When the Cost of Living Is High
Practical tips for saving money in a high-cost environment. Learn about budgeting apps, reducing expenses, and saving for your first home deposit.
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Home Loans
Student Loans and How They Affect Getting a Mortgage
Essential guide for first-home buyers on how student loans affect mortgage applications in New Zealand. Learn about income hurdles and strategies.
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Legal
Co-owning Property with Family or Friends
Essential guide for first-home buyers on co-owning property with family or friends in New Zealand. Learn about property sharing agreements and Bright-line rules.
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Home Loans
How Do Banks Calculate Home Loan Affordability?
Essential guide on how banks calculate home loan affordability. Learn about income, expenses, debt, and the debt servicing test.
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Deposit & Savings
7 Steps to Creating a Monthly Budget
Step-by-step guide for first-home buyers on creating a monthly budget. Track income, expenses, and save for your first home deposit.
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Legal
Cancelling a Contract
Essential legal guide on cancelling a property contract in New Zealand. Learn about conditions, cancellation grounds, and why legal advice matters.
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Legal
Do I Need a Contracting Out Agreement or Property Sharing Agreement?
Essential legal guide on Contracting Out Agreements (COA) and Property Sharing Agreements (PSA). Protect your interests when buying property.
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Deposit & Savings
How Much Deposit Do I Need as a First Home Buyer?
Comprehensive guide on deposit options from 5% to 20% for first-home buyers. Learn about First Home Loans, YouOwn, and new build options.
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Deposit & Savings
5 Tips to Boost Your KiwiSaver First Home Deposit
Practical tips for boosting your KiwiSaver for a first home deposit. Learn about contributions, fund choices, and maximising government credits.
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Property Search
5 Tips for Your First Home Search
Practical tips for house hunting. Learn how to define priorities, choose locations, find properties, and visit open homes effectively.
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Deposit & Savings
7 Tips To Help You Save For Your First Home Deposit
Practical and fun tips for saving for a deposit. Learn about setting goals, saving change, creating milestones, and reducing expenses.
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Getting Started
I've Got My First Home Deposit Sorted, What Should I Do Next?
Guide for first-home buyers who have saved their deposit. Learn about next steps including pre-approval and choosing between banks and mortgage advisers.
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Legal
Legal Toolkit: The Importance Of A Will
Essential legal guide on why having a will is important for first-home buyers. Learn about estate planning and protecting your family.
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Legal
Legal Toolkit: Purchasing A Property At Auction
Essential legal guide on purchasing property at auction. Learn about due diligence, finance approval, and auction risks.
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Legal
Legal Toolkit: The Bank of Mum and Dad – Loans vs Gifts
Essential legal guide on loans and gifts from parents. Learn about deeds of acknowledgement, co-ownership options, and protecting family contributions.
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Home Loans
The Importance of Looking After Your Bank Account
Essential guide on how your bank account conduct affects mortgage approval. Learn what banks look for and how to present a clean account.
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Legal
Legal Toolkit: Expert Tips For First Home Buyers - Part 1
Essential legal guidance from Schnauer & Co on deposit clauses and contractual terms. Protect your interests when buying your first home.
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Property Search
Buying An Apartment Off The Plans - 6 Things To Look For
Essential guide for first-home buyers considering an apartment off the plans. Learn about body corporate, sunset clauses, and due diligence.
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Home Loans
What is Debt Servicing and How Does It Affect Your Approval Chances?
Essential guide on debt servicing for first-home buyers. Learn how banks calculate your ability to repay a mortgage and improve your approval chances.
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Deposit & Savings
6 Tips for Getting on Top of a Debt Mountain
Practical strategies for managing and reducing debt before applying for a mortgage. Learn about the snowball and avalanche methods.
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Legal
The Main Risks of Buying Off The Plans
Essential legal guide on the risks of buying off the plans. Learn about sunset clauses, force majeure, price escalation, and protecting your interests.
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