From redundancy to home ownership in less than a year

Christchurch couple Rebecca Stewart and Josh Fuller bought their first home less than a year after Rebecca was made redundant. They achieved this by maintaining the frugal habits they learned during unemployment, even after she found a new job.

Their strategy involved clearing debt, selling a second car, and using their savings and KiwiSaver for a deposit. A key turning point was consulting a mortgage adviser, who helped them understand their borrowing power and options. Their story shows home ownership is possible with sacrifice and expert advice.