The First Home Buyer Guide

A practical, step-by-step guide for Kiwis getting onto the property ladder — from your first KiwiSaver question to the day you collect the keys. Written in plain English, no jargon.

What's inside

Everything you need before you start looking.

How much deposit you actually need, and what counts towards it
Using KiwiSaver and the Kāinga Ora First Home Loan
What lenders look for, and how to prepare your documents
Pre-approval, conditional offers, and settlement — step by step
Common mistakes first home buyers make, and how to avoid them

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Common questions

Before you download.

I am a first home buyer — where do I start?

The best first step is a free 30-minute chat. We work out what your deposit actually looks like (savings, KiwiSaver, gifted funds), whether you qualify for the Kāinga Ora First Home Loan, and roughly what you could borrow. From there we map the path to a pre-approval and then to an offer.

How much does it cost to use a mortgage adviser?

Nothing to you. The lender pays my commission when your loan settles. You get full advice, application support, and ongoing reviews at no cost. If for some reason a deal is not paid by the lender, I will tell you upfront before any work starts.

How long does pre-approval take?

Approval timeframes vary depending on the lender and your circumstances. Some approvals are quick, while others take longer. I keep you informed and follow up to make sure the process moves smoothly.

Do you only work with the big four banks?

No. I compare across 25+ bank and non-bank lenders — the four majors, second-tier banks, and specialist lenders for situations the big banks will not look at.