Preparing to buy your first home? Start with the evidence.
A readable nine-stage New Zealand path from household preparation and deposit evidence through rates, property checks, an informed offer, and settlement. Use the checklist alongside it as you move forward.
First-home education · general information onlyUnderstand the next decision before you make it.
Use the sequence below as a reading path. It is general education, not a recommendation about what you should do.
Get oriented
Start with the readiness guide, then choose the checklist stage that matches where you are now.
Map the household position
Organise income, employment, commitments, upcoming changes, and the questions a lender or adviser may ask.
Build and evidence the deposit
Separate savings, KiwiSaver, family money, and other sources. Check timing with the provider and keep a clear transfer trail.
Plan the costs around the purchase
Leave room beyond the deposit for legal work, reports, valuation, insurance, moving, ownership costs, and a cash buffer.
Understand the loan
Use repayment tools as illustrations, then use the dated bank-rate page to form better questions for the lender.
Search within a workable budget
Turn a maximum lending figure into a realistic search brief for location, property type, must-haves, and ongoing costs.
Check the property
Use the property checklist reports view for LIM, title, building, insurance, valuation, body-corporate, and professional-review questions.
Make an informed offer
Compare sale methods and conditions, and have the agreement reviewed before you sign or bid unconditionally.
Satisfy conditions and settle
Track deadlines, lender documents, insurance, legal work, settlement, and the first costs after the keys change hands.
Keep the boundary clear
MoreGage does not provide personalised financial advice, recommend lenders, assess borrowing capacity, accept applications, or handle real financial documents.
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