Property buying advice | Trade Me Property

The complete beginner's guide to buying a house in New Zealand

Your 7-step guide to buying a house with clarity and confidence

22 October 2025 | 4 min read

From bankruptcy to homeownership

4 March 2025 | 5 min read

Meet these Wellington first home buyers

16 April 2025 | 4 min read

From redundancy to home ownership in less than a year

9 September 2024 | 5 min read

7 first home buyer mistakes that could cost you thousands (and how to avoid them)

3 min read

Breaking the rental cycle — a real rent-to-own story

How Holly secured a home for her whānau through Habitat for Humanity’s rent-to-own programme

4 March 2025 | 5 min read

First-home buyers move from Christchurch to buy a $340,000 home in Greymouth

4 March 2025 | 5 min read

10 stages to secure your home purchase

13 November 2024 | 7 min read

Our home buying checklist – what to do when

11 November 2024 | 5 min read

38 NZ real estate terms you should know

9 July 2025 | 7 min read

Preparing to buy

Trade Me tools

About: property data displayed on residential for sale listings

Where it comes from & how to update it.

21 August 2025 | 5 min read

Where are the cheapest houses in NZ?

13 August 2025 | 3 min read

Tools to help you find your dream home

Property Insights with Trade Me

Buying off the plan: 15 things you need to know

23 April 2025 | 7 min read

The 15 best places to live in New Zealand

From cities, to ski towns and rural villages — there are plenty of great places to live in Aotearoa New Zealand

7 November 2024 | 7 min read

What to look for at an open home

How to use Trade Me Property like a pro

23 April 2025 | 4 min read

What does the ‘Listed' date mean on Trade Me Property?

9 July 2025 | 2 min read

20 March 2025 | 4 min read

Viewing an open home

Building your deposit

NZ government help for first home buyers (2025)

Need a hand from the man?

8 March 2025 | 4 min read

Getting financial support for buying your first home in New Zealand

26 August 2025 | 6 min read

How much do you need for a house deposit in New Zealand?

26 August 2025 | 7 min read

How your credit score can impact buying a house in New Zealand

16 April 2025 | 5 min read

How much deposit do I need to buy an investment property?

6 August 2025 | 5 min read

How much deposit do first home buyers need?

It may seem like you’ve got a mountain to climb, but with a little help it’s possible

6 August 2025 | 4 min read

Where will your deposit come from?

18 September 2024 | 8 min read

Q&A: Saving for a deposit to buy a home

4 August 2025 | 4 min read

Is it cheaper to rent or buy a house?

17 December 2024 | 5 min read

Kiwisaver withdrawal rules: A complete guide

26 August 2025 | 5 min read

Mortgages & loans

The ultimate guide to mortgages and home loans in New Zealand

Plain-English answers to the biggest mortgage questions, from deposits to repayments.

22 October 2025 | 8 min read

NZ home loans: A guide to your options

16 April 2025 | 4 min read

Mortgage brokers vs banks: what’s best for you?

23 April 2025 | 3 min read

When is the next OCR announcement in NZ?

27 August 2025 | 3 min read

To float or fix long (or short)?

10 April 2025 | 5 min read

Low deposit home loans: how to buy your first home sooner

Got less than 20%? No worries.

8 March 2025 | 5 min read

Home loan cash back: a guide for home buyers & refinancers

8 March 2025 | 4 min read

Guide: using equity to buy a second property, renovate, or invest

3 February 2025 | 5 min read

When will interest rates drop?

20 December 2024 | 5 min read

Due diligence

Property due diligence in NZ: what to check before you buy

Understanding this essential step in your property journey.

Why a building inspection matters

27 March 2025 | 4 min read

Learning about problem building materials

22 April 2025 | 3 min read

Understanding the types of ownership

3 min read

Explore

What is a LIM Report?

23 January 2025 | 5 min read

Should I buy a monolithic cladding house? Understanding NZ leaky homes

Properties with plaster or monolithic cladding can be risky purchases, but they're not all leaky.

7 November 2024 | 6 min read

House hunting: what are the different types of properties?

24 September 2025 | 5 min read

29 October 2024 | 3 min read

Conveyancing fees in NZ

How much do building reports cost in NZ?

29 October 2024 | 4 min read

The 5 best building inspectors in Auckland (according to reviews)

13 June 2024 | 5 min read

Purchase & settlement

Your moving house checklist: A guide to a stress-free move

From eight weeks out to moving day, here’s everything to tick off.

22 October 2025 | 4 min read

Understanding the sale and purchase agreement when buying

27 March 2025 | 3 min read

27 March 2025 | 3 min read

Buying by auction

Discover

Settling on settlement day

22 April 2025 | 3 min read

Home insurance in NZ: A simple guide

5 November 2025 | 8 min read

Warmer Kiwi Homes: How to get the insulation & heat pump grant

Get financial help to make your home warmer & healthier

8 March 2025 | 4 min read

Bills you have to pay when owning a house

3 February 2025 | 3 min read

Council rates explained: a home owner’s guide

3 February 2025 | 4 min read

How to negotiate when buying a house

8 December 2024 | 5 min read