First Home Buyers

Your first-home plan needs three things to work together: money you can use, a home your lender will accept and purchase terms you understand. Start with your household budget and advisers before concentrating on a particular listing in Rolleston, Lincoln, Prebbleton or West Melton.

Separate the purchase price from the full cost

Ask your lender or mortgage adviser what repayments you can sustain and what approval conditions remain. Include legal work, council information, inspections, any required valuation, moving and insurance, as well as your contribution to the price. Leave room for rates, maintenance and changes in household expenses after you move.

The deposit under the sale agreement is not the same thing as the share of the price your lender requires you to fund. Confirm the amount, payment date and source of each payment with your lawyer and lender. Do not assume every sale has the same deposit percentage or that KiwiSaver funds are immediately available.

KiwiSaver: check eligibility and timing with your provider

Inland Revenue’s first-home withdrawal guidance, checked on 23 October 2026, says you must have been in KiwiSaver for at least three years and must leave $1,000 in the account. Funds transferred from an Australian complying superannuation scheme cannot be withdrawn through this process.

These are starting conditions, rather than a personal eligibility decision. Ask your scheme provider what can be withdrawn, which documents are needed and how long the application takes. Have your lawyer coordinate the purchase and payment arrangements. If you previously owned property, check the separate previous-owner pathway with Kāinga Ora and your provider rather than assuming you are automatically eligible or excluded.

First Home Loan and assistance that has closed

Kāinga Ora’s First Home Loan may allow eligible buyers to purchase with a 5% deposit through participating lenders. The lender assesses your circumstances and the property; a low deposit does not guarantee approval. Use the current official criteria and speak with a participating lender before relying on the scheme.

Government first-home assistance information, checked on 23 October 2026, says the First Home Grant ended in May 2024 and First Home Partner is full with no new applications being accepted. Do not include either as available funding in a new purchase budget. Older resources may use HomeStart or other former scheme names; check current official information before acting.

Choose the property with the checks in mind

Compare the actual home’s layout, condition, ownership documents, access, services and ongoing costs. A newer townhouse, an established house and a property awaiting completion can involve different contracts and investigations. Ask your lawyer to explain title restrictions and shared obligations, and arrange building or other specialist advice appropriate to the address.

For a Selwyn purchase, request relevant council records and available consent, completion, earthquake, repair and insurance information. Confirm acceptable insurance and property-specific lending approval before an unconditional commitment. An attractive finish or a familiar suburb name does not answer those questions.

Our buying in Selwyn guide connects the search and viewings with property investigations, offers and settlement.

Leave enough time before offering or bidding

Tell the listing salesperson you are interested, ask how offers will be considered and confirm whether a closing date or auction can change. Your lawyer can explain the agreement and any conditions you need. Conditional loan preapproval alone does not establish that you are ready to bid unconditionally.

For viewing opportunities and the advertised sale process, contact the Town & Lifestyle team below or call 03 347 9988. Include your preferred area or salesperson and the kind of home you are considering. Financial eligibility and legal advice remain matters for your lender, scheme provider and lawyer.