Topic

Guides for first home buyers

Deposits, Kāinga Ora First Home Loans, KiwiSaver withdrawals and what happens between offer and settlement.

Articles

First home buyers

First home buyers
✓ Read
The 7 Most Expensive Mistakes First-Home Buyers Make And How to Avoid Them
September 16, 2026
First home buyers
✓ Read
Refinancing Your First Home Partner Loan (Without Buying Out Kāinga Ora)
September 9, 2026
First home buyers
✓ Read
The First-Home Buyer’s Guide to Dealing with Real Estate Agents
September 2, 2026
First home buyers
✓ Read
Second Chance Home Buyers: Can You Use KiwiSaver If You’ve Owned Property Before?
August 6, 2026
First home buyers
✓ Read
Navigating Your Next Steps with First Home Partner: Is It Time to Buy Out Kāinga Ora?
June 23, 2026
First home buyers
✓ Read
Gifted Deposits vs. Genuine Savings: Why the Bank Treats Them Differently
February 5, 2026
First home buyers
✓ Read
Can I Use a Personal Loan to Top Up My House Deposit? (The Short Answer: No)
February 2, 2026
First home buyers
✓ Read
Buying a House with Friends: A Guide to Co-Ownership Agreements and Hidden Risks
January 7, 2026
First home buyers
✓ Read
Can I Get a Mortgage as a Single Applicant in NZ? A Realistic Guide
December 2, 2025
First home buyers
✓ Read
Returning to NZ? Why Your Australian Super Can’t Be Used for Your First Home Deposit
October 30, 2025
First home buyers
✓ Read
The Practical, Immediate Costs of Buying a House in NZ (That Aren't the Deposit and are easy to miss!)
October 22, 2025
First home buyers
✓ Read
The Kāinga Ora First Home Loan Fee: What You Need to Know
August 20, 2025
First home buyers
✓ Read
Bank of Mum and Dad: Is Gifting a Deposit the Best Way to Help Your Kids?
March 21, 2025
First home buyers
✓ Read
Kainga Ora First Home Grant (Permanently Closed since May 2024)
April 29, 2024
Tools

Run the numbers

All tools
All articles

Every article, by topic

Every article we've written, grouped by topic. Ones you've already read are greyed out.

Why Fixed Mortgage Rates Don't Always Follow the OCR in NZ
Investing Offshore Without ABSD: The Singaporean’s Comprehensive Guide to New Zealand PropertyA Singaporean couple reviewing property details on a tablet with a local consultant in a New Zealand suburban neighbourhood.
October 2026 NZ Mortgage & Property Market Wrap: The Reserve Bank's Surprise Pause and What It Means for YouHome Loan Factory Monthly Rates Review - October 2026 banner with house keys and a wallet on a wooden table
7 Questions to Ask the Agent About That Suspiciously Cheap Wellington ApartmentView of high-rise apartment and commercial buildings in the Wellington central business district.
What Retirement Actually Looks Like With (and Without) a Paid-Off Home
Why Buying Under Your Budget is the Ultimate Financial FlexA relaxed New Zealand couple smiling at each other on an aeroplane, enjoying the financial freedom to travel
The difference between being able to afford a house and feeling safe buying oneA solo New Zealander enjoying a coffee outdoors, reflecting on lifestyle and financial choices
What financial security actually means—and why it's different for everyoneA traveller enjoying a calm coffee during an airport stopover, reflecting on the value of rest and financial peace.
The "Two Deposits" Trap: Why First-Home Buyers Panic on Unconditional DayA home buyer carefully reviewing the deposit and settlement clauses on a property contract before signing.
NZ Property Titles Explained: Freehold, Cross-Lease, Unit Titles, and LeaseholdA solo New Zealand woman reviewing property records on a clipboard while overlooking a hillside residential suburb.
The Wellington Private Cable Car Catch: Costs, Compliance, and Bank RulesA steep hillside residential cable car and outdoor stairs between Wellington houses, representing the mechanical access and council compliance challenges of securing a mortgage.
How much can I borrow for my home loan?A solo New Zealand man thoughtfully reviewing his budget on a laptop at a home desk
What Happens to Your Mortgage if You Pass Away? 5 Questions to Ask Your SolicitorA New Zealand homeowner having a practical estate planning discussion with a solicitor in a modern office.
Home Loan Cashbacks in NZ: How They Work, Clawback Rules, and the Interest Rate Trade-OffA New Zealand homeowner quietly reviewing his paperwork and settlement records at his dining table.
What is ‘account conduct’ and how can it affect my chances of getting a home loan?
How Much Will My Mortgage Actually Cost? (Repayment Calculator)A solo New Zealand man using a mortgage calculator on his smartphone while relaxing on the sofa.
Buying a New Build: How Property Valuations Actually WorkA solo New Zealand homeowner in a high-vis vest reviewing plans inside the timber framing of a new build.
Monolithic Plaster Properties: How to Get a Mortgage on a "Leaky Home"A solo New Zealand man closely inspecting the exterior plaster cladding of a monolithic home.
Financial compatibility: the top 5 ways couples set up their bank accounts (and why the perfect system is a myth)Financial compatibility: how couples should set up their bank accounts
The Power of Leverage: Why Buying Investment Property in Your 30s Usually Beats 'Safe' CashA young New Zealand couple reviewing financial plans, representing the strategy of using property leverage to build long-term wealth.
Why the Mathematically Perfect Mortgage isn't Always the Best IdeaA couple sitting at a table reviewing financial documents over coffee, representing the psychological side of structuring a joint home loan.
3 Expensive Lessons I Learned from Financing a Nissan CubeA buyer reviewing car dealership finance paperwork, representing the hidden costs of vehicle loans and how they reduce mortgage borrowing power.
Top 5 Mistakes Wellington First Home Buyers Make with the Kāinga Ora First Home LoanA young family celebrating their first home purchase, representing the Kāinga Ora First Home Loan 5% deposit scheme in New Zealand.
You’re approved under Kainga Ora First Home Loan. Congratulations! What do we need to know?A solo first home buyer inspecting the exterior of a starter home at an open home in New Zealand.
Kāinga Ora First Home Loan: Who Qualifies and How It Works
How to Work Out What a House is Worth When There is No Asking PriceA home buyer evaluating residential property values at an open home inspection, representing pricing strategies when a New Zealand house has no advertised price.
What Percentage of Your Income Should Actually Go Towards a Mortgage?
The HLF Guide to Signing A Sale & Purchase Agreement in NZA solo New Zealand buyer checking the kitchen chattels list on her property agreement.
The 7 Most Expensive Mistakes First-Home Buyers Make And How to Avoid ThemClose-up examination of a residential home exterior during a pre-purchase property inspection, highlighting common pitfalls and structural checks for first-home buyers in New Zealand.
How a $10,000 Credit Card Limit Silently Reduces Your Borrowing Power (Even with a $0 Balance)A young New Zealand man standing in his kitchen, holding a credit card and talking on his phone to lower his credit limit.
Will having or closing a credit card affect my home loan approval?A solo New Zealand woman reviewing her credit card and banking limits on a laptop at home.
Buying at Auction with Less Than a 20% Deposit: The Valuation TrapA solo New Zealand buyer thoughtfully evaluating a residential property from the footpath while holding flyers.
Refinancing Your First Home Partner Loan (Without Buying Out Kāinga Ora)A modern residential townhouse representing a Kāinga Ora First Home Partner shared-ownership property eligible for a bank mortgage refinance in New Zealand.
Builder's Reports in NZ: Your Home's Ultimate Health CheckA building inspector examining a residential subfloor access hatch during a pre-purchase property inspection.
Buying Property on the Chatham Islands: How to Secure a Mortgage on the Edge of the WorldA red weatherboard house on the rugged coastline of the Chatham Islands, representing the unique logistics of securing a remote residential mortgage.
Home Loan Factory is now HLF: Check out our new look.HLF's new name and look
The First-Home Buyer’s Guide to Dealing with Real Estate AgentsProspective first-home buyers touring a property and listening to a real estate agent at an open home.
How Long Does It Take to Get a Mortgage Pre-Approval in NZ?A young couple sitting anxiously on their outdoor deck, checking a phone for a bank mortgage pre-approval email
Second Chance Home Buyers: Can You Use KiwiSaver If You’ve Owned Property Before?A solo New Zealand man checking property listings on his phone while standing in a driveway.
The Defective Cross-Lease: Is It a Total Dealbreaker or a Simple Fix?An authentic New Zealand cross-lease Flats Plan with a highlighted section demonstrating how buyers can spot a property title defect
The Day-Rate Challenge: Getting a Mortgage as a New IT or Medical ContractorAn independent day-rate contractor working in a character New Zealand home study with a natural backyard view, illustrating mortgage approvals
Why Kiwibank Doesn't Offer an 18-Month Mortgage Rate (correct as of Jul 2026) - And Why It Doesn't Really MatterA Modern Kiwibank Branch
The Two-Year Myth: Getting a NZ Bank Mortgage with 1 Year of Business Financials (or sometimes less!)A New Zealand small business owner reviewing invoices in a back office with her bustling cafe visible through the door, illustrating mortgage approval for self-employed borrowers
The Great Visa Myth: Why You Don’t Have to Wait for Residency to Buy a HouseA young Indian couple reviewing home loan and visa paperwork at their New Zealand dining table, illustrating work visa mortgages
Separation and Mortgages: Navigating Your Home Loan During a Break-UpA person having a quiet morning coffee in a sunlit kitchen, reflecting on moving forward after a property separation.
Navigating Your Next Steps with First Home Partner: Is It Time to Buy Out Kāinga Ora?A couple viewing their weatherboard subdivision home in New Zealand, with a digital overlay showing the Kāinga Ora share, borrowers’ equity, and bank loan
How Much Will I Have Left After Selling My House? (And What Can You Buy Next?)A New Zealand couple loading a moving truck on the driveway of their weatherboard home, illustrating the final steps of selling and moving out.
Interest-Only vs. Principal & Interest: The Ultimate Investor Debt StrategyA New Zealand property investor reviewing a banking app and property statement at a kitchen island, illustrating debt diversion
How to Use Your Home’s Equity to Buy an Investment Property Without Cash SavingsA New Zealand couple casually reviewing a property on-site, illustrating leveraging equity for a successful property portfolio
Buying NZ Property While on a Diplomatic Posting (The MFAT Guide)A New Zealand expat reviewing his phone on a bustling historic street in New Delhi, India, illustrating diplomatic mortgages while stationed overseas.
Myth-Busting: Are Exclusive Workplace Mortgage Discounts Actually a Good Deal?A Wellington professional reviewing workplace onboarding paperwork on a park bench at lunch, illustrating staff mortgage packages
Upgrading Your Home: How to Keep Your First House as a Rental PropertyA New Zealand couple reviewing a rental appraisal on the porch of their starter home, illustrating the keep and buy strategy
New Build vs. Existing Property: Which Makes a Better Investment in NZ?A New Zealand property investor looking at modern townhouses alongside an older weatherboard home, illustrating new build vs existing property
Clawbacks Explained: Why You Might Get a Bill if You Switch Banks Too SoonA New Zealand couple playing a claw grabber game at an amusement arcade, serving as a metaphor for bank mortgage clawbacks
LIM Reports, Builders Reports, and Valuations: What the Bank Actually RequiresA New Zealand couple and a building inspector examining the exterior of a weatherboard home, illustrating property due diligence
Buying at Auction: How to Prepare Your Finances for the HammerA New Zealand couple holding an auction paddle in a crowded indoor property auction with everyone's seats facing the auctioneer, illustrating unconditional buying
Turnkey vs. Construction: The Head-to-Head True Cost ShowdownA New Zealand couple comparing a finished turnkey townhouse with a vacant construction section
Building Your Dream Home: Construction Loans & Progress Payments ExplainedA new zealand home owner discussing her new build construction project with her builder
Buying Off-The-Plan in NZ: The Timeline, Turnkey Mortgages, Sunset Clauses, and Hidden RisksA New Zealand couple reviewing architectural renders and floor plans for a multi-unit turnkey townhouse development at their dining table
What is a Redraw Facility? New Zealand’s Under-the-Radar Mortgage FeatureA relaxed New Zealand couple packing their car for a weekend road trip, illustrating financial flexibility with a mortgage redraw facility
Revolving Credit vs. Offset Mortgages: Which is Right for You?A New Zealand couple discussing renovation plans outside their weatherboard home, illustrating household budgeting choices
Offset Mortgages Explained: The Bucket Saver StrategyAn adult daughter and father sharing a cuppa on a backyard deck, illustrating family support through an offset mortgage
Revolving Credit Facilities Explained: A Really Useful Tool for Disciplined SaversA New Zealand mortgage adviser writing on a whiteboard to explain revolving credit to a seated couple during an office consultation
The $150k Catch: Why Banks Are Terrified of Leasehold PropertiesModern waterfront apartment buildings overlooking an inner-harbour marina in New Zealand, illustrating leasehold property and ground rent
Buying a Cross Lease Property: The Pros, the Cons, and What Your Bank ThinksAn elevated view of a New Zealand cross-lease with front-and-back units, showing digital boundaries of Flat 1, Flat 2, and the shared driveway
What Are Body Corporate Fees? And Are They Actually Worth It?A New Zealand property maintenance worker tending to the shared gardens of a modern townhouse complex, illustrating body corporate levies at work
Buying a Unit Title? What Your Bank is Actually Looking ForA modern multi-unit apartment and townhouse complex in a New Zealand suburb, illustrating unit-title properties
Interest-Only Mortgages: When Are They Actually a Smart Financial Move?A New Zealand landlord couple chatting with a tenant on the porch of a suburban rental property during a routine check-in
Student Loans and Mortgages: Do You Have to Pay It Off Before You Buy?A young New Zealand professional walking past a busy university campus during her morning commute with bike stands and native plants, symbolizing the student loan transition.
The Hidden Mortgage Factors: How Childcare and Insurance Costs Can Affect Your Borrowing PowerA New Zealand parent watching junior sports from the sideline of a local community field on a Saturday morning, illustrating family living expenses.
The Stress Test: Why the Bank Tests You at ~7% When Current Rates Are LowerA young New Zealand father dropping his toddler off at a community playcentre, illustrating everyday childcare expenses and mortgage stress tests.
Do Overtime and Bonuses Actually Count Toward Your Mortgage Income?A New Zealand healthcare worker walking outdoors in early morning light after a long shift, illustrating overtime and variable income
Maternity & Parental Leave: How It Affects Your Mortgage (And How to Get Approved)A pregnant New Zealand couple walking their dog on a rugged beach, illustrating a stress-free mortgage process.
Afterpay, Laybuy, and Mortgages: Do Buy-Now-Pay-Later Schemes Ruin Your Chances?A young New Zealander holding shopping bags and checking their phone on a vibrant local shopping street.
Gifted Deposits vs. Genuine Savings: Why the Bank Treats Them DifferentlyA young New Zealand couple sitting on their car tailgate at the beach drinking thermos coffee, illustrating a frugal savings lifestyle
Can I Use a Personal Loan to Top Up My House Deposit? (The Short Answer: No)A young New Zealand woman pausing on a suburban footpath to look at a modest home with a 'FOR SALE' sign, reflecting the reality of buying with a sub-20% deposit.
Your Money, Your Morals: A No-Nonsense Guide to Ethical Investing and your KiwiSaverA young New Zealander walking along a coastal ridge track with wind turbines turning in the background, illustrating ethical KiwiSaver choices.
Emptying Your KiwiSaver to Zero: The Pros, Cons, and Rebuilding StrategyA young New Zealand woman planting a native tree in her Wellington backyard, symbolising long-term financial growth and rebuilding a KiwiSaver fund after buying a home
Self-Employed and Need a Mortgage? Exactly What the Bank Wants to SeeA self-employed New Zealand tradesperson packing tools into a work ute outside a residential home
How Do Mortgage Advisers Actually Get Paid in New Zealand?A mortgage adviser standing at a glass whiteboard, actively mapping out a financial strategy and bank comparisons for a young couple.
What Does a Mortgage Adviser Actually Do Behind the Scenes? 6 Reasons to Work With A Mortgage AdviserA mortgage adviser having a relaxed catch-up with a client by their front gate in a New Zealand suburb, illustrating ongoing support.
Buying a House with Friends: A Guide to Co-Ownership Agreements and Hidden RisksTwo friends working together to carry a heavy sofa into their shared New Zealand home.
How Long Does a Mortgage Pre-Approval Last in NZ? (And How to Extend It)A young New Zealand couple looking relaxed while walking down a suburban street during their weekend house hunt.
How to Repair a Bruised Credit Score in NZ (And How Long It Actually Takes)Over-the-shoulder view of a person checking a digital mobile app on their phone, displaying a low credit score of 412 in the red warning zone.
The Building Credit Myth: Why You Don't Need a Credit Card to Buy a House in NZA young New Zealander tapping a standard debit card to pay for groceries at a local market.
My Bank Said No! 7 Common Reasons Your Mortgage Was Declined (And How to Fix It)A young woman sitting in her parked car looking mildly frustrated while checking an email on her phone.
Flatmate & Boarder Income: A Straightforward Guide to Mortgage Lending Rules in NZA young New Zealand homeowner and a flatmate setting up a spare bedroom, illustrating boarder income for a mortgage.
Can I Get a Mortgage as a Single Applicant in NZ? A Realistic GuideA happy single homeowner unpacking moving boxes in the living room of her newly purchased New Zealand home.
Bank Pre-Approval vs. Conditional Approval: What’s the Actual Difference?A young New Zealand couple sitting on a living room sofa, happily reviewing their conditional bank pre-approval on a laptop.
Why Does It Feel Like My Financial Adviser Is Pushing Me Towards New Builds?A property adviser gesturing toward a newly completed Christchurch-style townhouse while walking and talking with a couple on-site.
Yield vs Capital Growth: What Actually Makes a Good Investment Property in NZ?An investor and contractor discuss active, half-painted weatherboard renovations on a suburban New Zealand rental property.
Can You Buy an Investment Property with a 10% Deposit in NZ? (Yes, Here’s How)Modern architectural roofline and dark cladding of a brand-new residential property, representing turnkey new-build property investment in New Zealand.
What is a Company Share Apartment? (And Can You Get a Mortgage on One?)Exterior of a classic 1930s Art Deco character apartment building, representing company share property in Wellington, New Zealand.
The NZ First Home Buyer’s Guide: Protecting Your Mortgage (and Your Family)A young family playing together inside their home, highlighting the importance of mortgage protection and life insurance for Kiwi households with children.
Returning to NZ? Why Your Australian Super Can’t Be Used for Your First Home DepositA returning Kiwi resident reviewing KiwiSaver documents and Australian Super transfer eligibility on a laptop surrounded by moving boxes.
The Practical, Immediate Costs of Buying a House in NZ (That Aren't the Deposit and are easy to miss!)A couple reviewing a property settlement statement and due diligence reports with a professional conveyancing solicitor in an office.
The Great Mortgage Myth: Why Switching to Weekly Repayments Might Not Save as Much as You ThinkA New Zealand man checking his mobile banking app at a local cafe, illustrating everyday mortgage cash flow management
Should You Pay the Fee to Break Your Mortgage Early?A New Zealand homeowner physically tearing a printed fixed-rate loan agreement paper in half at a dining table
Builder's Reports in NZ: Your Home's Ultimate Health CheckA New Zealand couple discussing property details with a building inspector who is pointing directly at the weatherboard exterior of a home
Registered Valuations in NZ: Everything You Need to KnowA New Zealand property valuer using a large open-reel measuring tape along the foundation of a suburban home

Expert advice for your home loan, KiwiSaver, and beyond.

Contact us
Explore our tools
Wellington Office
028 8517 4720
[email protected]
Home Loan Factory
103 Johnsonville Road, Johnsonville, Wellington 6037, New Zealand
Company
Home
News & Insights
FAQs
About
Contact
Services
Mortgages
KiwiSaver
Insurance
Tools
Home Loan Calculator
Borrowing Power Calculator
Compare NZ Mortgage Rates
New
NZ Historical Mortgage Rates Tracker
New
Usable Equity Calculator
Refinance Calculator
New
New Build Construction Loan Calculator
New
Mortgage Break-Even ROI Estimator
New
KiwiSaver vs Loan Payoff Calculator
New
Kāinga Ora Lenders Mortgage Insurance Fee Estimator
New
Split Banking Advantage Estimator
New
Investment Property Cashflow Calculator
New
Net Proceeds & Next Home Calculator
New
Turnkey vs. Construction Loan Calculator (NZ)
New
NZ Property Rental Yield Calculator
New
Glossary
New
NZ Sale & Purchase (S&P) Agreement Walkthrough
New
NZ Wholesale Swap Rates & OCR Tracker (Live RBNZ Table B2)
New
NZ Mortgage Break Fee Estimator
View all tools
Legal
Privacy Policies
Public Disclosures
Make a Complaint
How We Get Paid

© {{year}} Home Loan Factory.  All Rights Reserved.

Website by R3 Marketing

Home Loan Factory is a collaborative trading brand shared by independent Financial Advice Providers.
Regulated financial advice is provided by HLF Financial Limited (FSP1008571), HLF Insurance Limited (FSP1011824, operating as an Authorised Body of HLF Financial Limited), AJP Financial Limited (FSP1005245), Divij DG Limited (FSP1003913), and Vaama Financial Advisor Limited (FSP1003915). Please refer to each individual adviser’s Public Disclosure Statement for full details on their specific licensing, dispute resolution scheme, and duties.