Property buying advice

Land for less

Check off each of these steps to buy your first house.

The legally binding contract between buyer and seller.

There’s plenty of variety in the NZ housing market.

Get your sale or purchase right

If you own a property (or you’re buying) it’s good to know a thing or two about RVs

Yeah, nah. Yeah.

Our opinion on the most liveable areas in the super city

Agent trainer Josh Phegan shares his expert opinion.

Everything you need to know to get a result

Own a part of our country’s architectural history

Everything you need to know before you buy a unit title property

Everything you need to know about CCs (Code compliance, not the chips)

Planning for investment success

These are the guys you want looking at a property before you buy

What does cross lease mean? What are the pros and cons? And what do you need to look out for before buying?

Top tips on choosing your next real estate agent.

Building cohousing from scratch or with existing homes.

If you really want reassurance for a newbuild, see if you can find a Homestar rated home.

Just like any investment, you need to make sure you have done your homework.

Investing in any asset is one of the most powerful (and simple) tools to grow your wealth.

Live big in a small home

Browse New Zealand’s largest selection of removable houses for sale in your area

Everything you need to check before you buy

Here’s a quick explanation of what the main mortgage terms mean to help you start talking like a pro.

Owning a property via leasehold works a little differently than freehold. Here’s everything you need to know.

Can’t quite get a mortgage? There might be another way

New Zealand is expensive - but these cities and towns aren’t

If you buy an apartment or townhouse you may need to deal with a body corporate. Here’s everything you need to know

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

CoreLogic data shows that first home buyers accounted for a record high 26% of property purchases across NZ in 2023.

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

Building a new house in NZ doesn’t have to cost a fortune - here’s how you can do it cheaper.

There is a lot to think about when moving house. Let us help you with this handy checklist!

Choosing your first home loan can be tricky - here are a few tips to make it easier.

If you’re buying or selling a house you’ll need a lawyer with property expertise. Here’s why.

Smart ways to laser focus your property search

Fancy spending summer at the beach or winter up the mountain at your very own bach? We've got you covered.

Everything you need to know to buy your first investment property and start building wealth.

Looking for a cheap house? We’ve scoured the country to find the cheapest place to buy a house in Aotearoa New Zealand.

Looking at buying off the plan? Here’s everything you need to know to ensure your purchase goes smoothly.

The insider's guide to smarter, savvier property purchases

Why switching to a new mortgage lender is always worth considering

The 7 key stages to buying a house in New Zealand

Some tips on finding that sweet spot.

Do you know the difference between a deadline sale and a sale by tender?

Buying property in NZ? These tools will equip you for the process.

Are we too reliant on low quality and unregulated inspectors?

What to expect.

Look at buying by tender? This is what you need to know.

You can’t buy or sell a house in NZ without both parties signing a sale and purchase agreement.

Auctions are no longer the crowded marketplaces they once were, but you’ll still need a guide.

What does a ‘Listed date’ mean on Trade Me Property?

Need to check something out? These are your best options.

The nature of the offer you made will impact your options.

Can’t quite get a mortgage? There might be another way

There is a lot to think about when moving house. Let us help you with this handy checklist!

So you’ve found a home and want it to be yours. Here’s what to do next.

What are some common mistakes made by first home buyers? Find out how to avoid them and get ready to buy your first home

Homeownership might not be so far from reach.

Learn about schemes designed to help low deposit buyers get on the property ladder.

Property ladder feeling out of reach? Here's how your parents might be able to help.

Where are we willing to make a sacrifice, and what do the experts have to say?

The price of a small home in a big city will also buy you a house in the country with a couple of hectares

Here’s how it works.

It may be your first home, but you won’t be living there.

A less competitive market still has its challenges for first home buyers and good homes, so listen up.

A duplex can be a good first step on the property ladder.

Understanding this key piece of real estate jargon as you go to buy.

Get this stuff sorted well before move-in day.

Don’t fall into these traps.

A cost-guide for buyers and sellers

Everything you need to know about New Zealand’s capital gains tax

(Some even offer 10% deposit home loans)

These three little letters are kind of a big deal

Everything you need to know about the new DTI rules

What exactly does LVR mean and how could it affect your home loan?

Even if you’ve previously owned a home you may still be able to use your Kiwisaver for a deposit

The Trade Me Property guide to financing your next build

A look at the average cost and the factors that affect it

Let’s get your finance sorted

Finance, sorted.

What’s the Reserve Bank's next move?

You could get 80-90% of the cost of new insulation covered by a government grant. Here’s how.

In some cases you may be able to take a break from mortgage repayments. Here’s everything you need to know.

What happens to the mortgage when you separate?

We’ve rounded up NZ mortgage rates forecasts from economists & experts.

Yeah, na - it’s complicated. Let’s take a closer look.

Everything you need to know about this useful but potentially expensive home loan feature

There are a few things you need to know if you want to withdraw your Kiwisaver to buy a home

A reverse mortgage could be a great way to access funds later in life, but there are a few things to know first

If you’ve got an investment property you’ll have a few expenses - find out how much your property manager will cost

Securing a home loan can be a little tricky - read our guide to make it easier.

DTIs could be coming soon - what are they and how will they affect homebuyers and the property market?

Considering going interest only? Here’s everything you need to know.

What is refinancing a mortgage? And how can a mortgage adviser help.

Everything you need to know about insurance now you’ve got a mortgage

Paying your mortgage off faster could save you thousands of dollars. Here are our top tips to get you going.

Finance when building a new home can be complex - here’s everything you need to know.

Subdividing could be a great way to profit from your property, but getting it done is not cheap.

Will I get a home loan, how much can I borrow and what are my repayments?

The New Zealand economy has been struggling with inflation - find out what inflation is and what it means for you.

The Official Cash Rate can affect your interest rates so it’s always good to know when it may change.

No deposit saved? No worries. In some cases it’s possible to buy a house without one.

Rising mortgage rates can be difficult to deal with but there are ways you can make it easier

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

Before you buy you’re going to need to save a large portion of the purchase price. Find out how much you need.

Understand your options

We’ve got all the info on how long it should take to pay off your mortgage and how to get it done sooner.

To help you sort your mortgage out we’ve answered common questions around mortgage brokers.

If you were wondering where interest rates are headed, wonder no more. We rounded up forecasts from the experts.

We’ve answered all of your questions about house insurance to help make sure you've got the cover you need.

Struggling to pay your bills? You have options. Here's a list of 11 things to do if you can’t pay your mortgage.

Before you buy a chunk of land and turn the first sod, read up on the art of planning and financing a new build.

Overwhelmed by the thought of getting a mortgage? We've got you covered.

How much will your mortgage really cost? Let's crunch the numbers.

How to save, secure and grow your home deposit with Girls That Invest Co-Founder, Simran Kaur.

Why switching to a new mortgage lender is always worth considering

Experts explain why it can be more difficult to get a mortgage if you're self-employed.

Tips on protecting your house deposit savings in a tough market.

Saving a deposit can be hard for first home buyers. Luckily, KiwiSaver and other schemes can help you out.

These simple steps could save you thousands in interest.

Time to get serious about saving? Here are some simple steps to get you started.

Q & A session with Keira Billot, a General Manager at Heartland Bank

Learn how a mortgage broker can help you through the homeownership process.

Our experts give advice on budgeting, investing and growing your savings to help with your deposit goals.

What the OCR is and how does it affect buyers and homeowners?

We explain the CCCFA and how it affects Kiwi wanting to borrow.

What are LVR restrictions? And how do they affect what you can borrow?

The pros and cons of working with a mortgage broker vs a bank

Before looking for a home, you should calculate how much you can borrow and afford for a mortgage.

Let’s break this down.

Your straightforward guide to home loan deposits in Aotearoa.

Everything you need to know.

Here’s how you can use Kiwisaver for your house deposit.

Here's a little guide to help you navigate the world of New Zealand home loans and interest rates.

It pays to do your research.

What is a credit score, and why does it matter when you’re buying a house?

We all start somewhere.

A quick and easy guide.

It’s possible, but not ideal.

Be savvy, without compromising on this important safety net.

Don’t get on the wrong side of your policy wording.

Check out our open home tips for buyers.

We talk to those living the dream and find out the latest tiny home design trends.

Buying a home off-plan involves more risk in the current market of late 2022.

What to look for in a character apartment as top ones emerge

Don’t buy blind.

It’s important to look beyond the home itself when buying a property.