Property buying advice | Trade Me Property

Latest on property

Giant percentage sign in forest. OCR announcement NZ.

Featured article

Next OCR announcement in NZ - Calendar for 2026

Key dates for the official cash rate in 2026 and 2027

10 February 2026| 3 min read

Person carrying out due dillegence

Featured article

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

Understanding this essential step in your property journey.

House with illustration of someone searching for a new property

Featured article

Tools to help you find your dream home

Buying property in New Zealand? These handy tools will help make the journey smoother.

First home buyers

Couple buying their first home

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

Ant and whānau

Feature article

From bankruptcy to homeownership

4 March 2025 | 5 min read

Rachel and Conor outside their first home

Feature article

Meet these Wellington first home buyers

16 April 2025 | 4 min read

First home buyers Rebecca Stewart and Josh Fuller with their son outside their new home in Christchurch, purchased for $640,000.

Feature article

From redundancy to home ownership in less than a year

9 September 2024 | 5 min read

Illustration of a first home buyer holding keys

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

Māmā holds her child's hand

Feature article

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

Greymouth

Feature article

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

4 March 2025 | 5 min read

Vic & Soph from The Curve

Feature article

10 stages to secure your home purchase

13 November 2024 | 7 min read

Your home buying checklist title image

Feature article

Our home buying checklist – what to do when

11 November 2024 | 5 min read

Person handing keys to other person.

38 NZ real estate terms you should know

9 July 2025 | 7 min read

Preparing to buy

Recently built houses

About: property data displayed on Trade Me

Where it comes from & how to update it.

21 August 2025 | 5 min read

Searching for New Zealand's cheapest property.

Where are the cheapest houses in NZ?

10 February 2026 | 3 min read

House with illustration of someone searching for a new property

Tools to help you find your dream home

How to use property insights when you're buying a property.

Property Insights with Trade Me

Granny flat in a families backyard

Feature article

Granny flat regulations: New rules make it cheaper and easier to build

28 January 2026 | 2 min read

Off the plan apartment buyers. Couple in front of new home.

Buying off the plan: 15 things you need to know

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

23 April 2025 | 7 min read

Wanaka and lake mountains reflecting.

The 15 best places to live in New Zealand

7 November 2024 | 7 min read

People at an open home with a real estate agent

What to look for at an open home

Woman and man sit on a couch as she helps him search on his mobile phone.

How to use Trade Me Property like a pro

23 April 2025 | 4 min read

Listing date

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

9 July 2025 | 2 min read

Building your deposit

Cash houses

NZ government help for first home buyers (2025)

Need a hand from the man?

8 March 2025 | 4 min read

Real estate agent handing over flowers and keys to a couple that have just bought a house in New Zealand

Getting financial support for buying your first home in New Zealand

26 August 2025 | 6 min read

Person stacking up toy blocks in the shape of a house.

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

26 August 2025 | 7 min read

Man reading his credit rating online.

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

16 April 2025 | 5 min read

View of a residential brick property with a large front lawn

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

6 August 2025 | 5 min read

First home buyers celebrating

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

Vic from The Curve reads a book

Feature article

Where will your deposit come from?

18 September 2024 | 8 min read

Person handing over their credit card

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

4 August 2025 | 4 min read

Auckland house with Skytower in background.

Is it cheaper to rent or buy a house?

17 December 2024 | 5 min read

Getting money out of wallet.

Kiwisaver withdrawal rules: A complete guide

26 August 2025 | 5 min read

Mortgages & loans

Couple getting mortgage approval

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

Family walking in to their new home

NZ home loans: A guide to your options

16 April 2025 | 4 min read

Giant percentage sign in forest. OCR announcement NZ.

Next OCR announcement in NZ - Calendar for 2026

10 February 2026 | 3 min read

Entrance to bank offering home loans

Choosing the best bank for your home loan

19 November 2025 | 6 min read

Women talking to her mortgage advisor about an offset loan

Feature article

What is an offset mortgage & is it for you?

26 November 2025 | 5 min read

Woman buying a house

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

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

27 November 2025 | 3 min read

Villa in Aotearoa

Feature article

To float or fix long (or short)?

10 April 2025 | 5 min read

Deposit.

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

8 March 2025 | 5 min read

Cash in front of house

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

8 March 2025 | 4 min read

House as cash NZD

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

3 February 2025 | 5 min read

Due diligence

Person carrying out due dillegence

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

Understanding this essential step in your property journey.

A couple at home looking at a laptop together.

What is a LIM Report?

23 January 2025 | 5 min read

Building inspector at work

Why a building inspection matters

27 March 2025 | 4 min read

A homeowner carefully reviewing official documents, such as the constitution and bylaws of a Residents' Association.

What is a Homeowners’ Association in New Zealand?

12 December 2025 | 2 min read

Two people in protective clothing slowly lift up an asbestos roof panel

Learning about problem building materials

22 April 2025 | 3 min read

A brown poodle cross dog sits in a pile of boxes in a house ready for moving

Understanding the types of ownership

There are different types of land ownership in New Zealand. Here are some tips from Settled.govt.nz

Property title search in New Zealand

Property title search in New Zealand

28 November 2025 | 6 min read

Leaky homes NZ. Should I buy a monolithic cladding house.

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

7 November 2024 | 6 min read

What are the different types of properties

Feature article

House hunting: what are the different types of properties?

24 September 2025 | 5 min read

Real estate agent talking to clients about their property files

How to access your Auckland Council property file

28 November 2025 | 6 min read

Purchase & settlement

Two men moving into their new house

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

A person signing the a sales and purchase agreement for a property in NZ.

Understanding the sale and purchase agreement when buying

27 March 2025 | 3 min read

A picture of a hammer and gavel next to the outline of a house.

Buying by auction

27 March 2025 | 3 min read

Settling on settlement day

Settling on settlement day

22 April 2025 | 3 min read

Storm over rural house nz

Feature article

Home insurance in NZ: A simple guide

5 November 2025 | 8 min read

Insulating house

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

Two men paying bills

Bills you have to pay when owning a house

3 February 2025 | 3 min read

Townhouses in NZ

Council rates explained: a home owner’s guide

3 February 2025 | 4 min read

Lady negotiating at table.

How to negotiate when buying a house

8 December 2024 | 5 min read

A stressed couple reading the sale and purchase agreement for a home purchase in New Zealand.

Can I back out after making an offer on a home?

4 November 2024 | 3 min read

Latest News

NZ property

Rents hold steady as Kiwi prepare for a busy summer

Rental Price Index - December 2025

26 January 2026

NZ property

Rents on the rise as Summer heats up

Rental Price Index - November 2025

17 December 2025

Aerial view of houses in New Zealand

Auckland de-throned as most expensive property market

Property Pulse Report - December 2025

11 December 2025

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