First Home Buyer
What we do
We stay close through it all.
Buying property is never a small task. There are a lot of moving parts, and buying your first is bigger again. Our job is to be a steady hand through it all. A sounding board, an interpreter, whatever else you need along the way. We help you organise the finance, see you through to settlement, and stay close beyond.
Tell you where you stand and your next move
Most brokers start the conversation once you’re ‘bankable’. The trouble is, most people don’t know what bankable means, or where they sit relative to it. We help you see where you are today, where you want to be, and what the next move is to get you there.
Run the application
Getting approved is half the job. The other half is the structure. Fixed, floating, split. We set the loan up so it works for where you are today, and gives you room to move for where you’re heading.
Sort loan structure
Getting approved is one thing. Getting the right structure is another. Fixed, floating, split — we set it up so it works for where you are now and doesn’t trap you later.
Support ongoing
Your mortgage doesn’t sit still, and neither do we. We check in when your fixed term is coming up, when rates move, or when life changes. Settlement is where the long relationship really starts.
Our guide to buying your
first home
Inside: what you need for deposit, what banks look at when they assess you, what to watch for during the property search, what conditions to put on an offer, and where most first-time deals trip up.
Can't find what you're
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first home buyer
Frequently asked questions
How much can I borrow for a first home?
There’s no single number, it depends on your income, your regular expenses, your deposit, and any existing debts. Lenders weigh these slightly differently too, which is why two banks can land on quite different figures for the same person. Rather than guess from an online calculator, we look at your full picture, work out a realistic range with you, and match you to the lender most likely to support it. That way the number you’re working with is one you can actually rely on when you start looking.
How much deposit do I need to buy a first home?
The standard minimum is 20%, but first home buyers can sometimes get approved with as little as 10% under the Reserve Bank’s low-deposit lending rules, or 5% if you qualify for a Kāinga Ora First Home Loan. We’ll work out what you’ve got and what’s possible.
Can I use my KiwiSaver to buy my first home?
Yes, in most cases. If you’ve been a KiwiSaver member for at least three years, you can usually withdraw most of your balance to put toward your first home, leaving a small minimum amount in the account. For a lot of first home buyers this makes up a meaningful part of the deposit. The exact amount and timing depend on your provider and your situation, so we’ll help you work out what you can use and how it fits with the rest of your deposit.
Can a broker help if my bank said no?
Often, yes. A decline from one bank doesn’t mean every lender will say no, and it doesn’t mean the door is closed. In our experience, most declines come down to how the application was shaped and presented. We’re detailed about how we put yours together, and we factor in timing too. If there are a few speed bumps to iron out before reapplying, we’ll work through them with you.
How much does a mortgage broker cost?
For first home buyers, we’re paid a commission by the lender when your loan settles. In most cases there’s no direct fee from us. Our Financial Disclosure Statement outlines the rare instances where a fee may apply.
Let’s Chat
Start with a Conversation.
The easiest way is a chat. Tell us where you are and what you want to do, and we’ll come back honestly on whether we can help and what the path looks like.
We reply within one business day. Your details are private and used only to respond to your enquiry.