Often first home buyers don’t know where to start or when they are ready to make their first offer.  As a first home buyer, there is often so much information to process, that it can feel overwhelming.

Cross lease developments started in the late 1950s and it allows multiple people to jointly own a section of land and the structures on it.  It is a combination of freehold and leasehold ownership.

Choosing the right KiwiSaver fund is an important decision - especially if you're planning to use your savings for a first home withdrawal.  The right fund should align with your time frame to buy a house - are you buying within the year, or are you still in saving mode? - and your risk tolerance - how much fluctuation could you handle?

When you're on the journey to buying your first home, understanding the different types of building packages available can make a big difference in making the right choice. Two common options you'll come across are House & Land packages, and Turnkey packages. Let's explore these options to help you make an informed decision.

Picture this: a classic showdown between neighbours, with the humble fence caught in the middle.  This has the potential to turn nasty so read on to get an understanding of the laws around fences.

Every so often, Schnauer & Co will have enquiries from clients about an encroachment that they have become aware of, many years after purchasing their property.  For example, you have your land surveyed and find out that your neighbour has built a fence, not on the boundary, but actually on your land. Or there is a structural addition that extends beyond the legal property boundaries.

Embarking on the exciting journey of homeownership is a significant milestone in anyone's life. Whether you're a first-time buyer or a seasoned homeowner, the complexities of the real estate market can be overwhelming. One crucial decision that often arises during this process is whether or not to engage the services of a mortgage adviser, and when.

Schnauer & Co have previously addressed this in article “Breaking down the sale and purchase agreement” back in 2018. However, there have been many changes to the agreement since then.  We are currently up to the eleventh edition 2022 (3) of the ADLS/REINZ Agreement for Sale and Purchase.

Making an offer on a house is both an exciting and nerve-racking time! What's the right amount to offer? Is it too much or too little? What conditions should you include? Finding the right balance between a competitive offer and one that fits your budget is crucial, and should be carefully considered. After all, buying your first home will likely be the biggest, and most expensive, purchase you’ll ever make.

No doubt 2024 is set to be another interesting year for first home buyers seeking to get into their first home.  Generally experts are predicting that house prices are set to rise in 2024.  With interest rates predicted to fall, this provides an opportunity for first home buyers to get on the property ladder.

Living in a high-cost environment can be challenging, but with the right strategies you can still save money and thrive. In this blog we will explore some effective tips for saving money when the cost of living is high.

You’ve studied hard for many years and, to get there, you borrowed on your Student Loan for courses, books, and some money to live on. Now you have a deposit for a house … and a Student Loan of four times that!  How is your Student Loan going to affect your chances of getting a mortgage?

Co-owning property with family or friends doesn’t always mean that all the purchasing parties will reside at the property.  Sometimes one party is helping another party get on the property ladder but they still want to reserve their right to have some benefit in the form of rent or a percentage of any profit margin when the property sells in the future.

When reviewing a home loan application, banks consider a variety of factors to calculate affordability. However, all factors considered, it can be summarized into this simplified equation.

When saving for your first home, creating a budget is an important step in managing your finances effectively. It helps you track your income and expenses, prioritize your spending, and work towards your financial goals.Here's a step-by-step guide to help you create a monthly budget:

As we previously stated, in certain circumstances purchaser/s must provide a satisfactory explanation of the grounds relied upon by the purchaser, together with supporting evidence, immediately on request by the vendor when trying to avoid a contract due to non-satisfaction of a certain condition.

Once a relationship has been in place for 3 years, the Property (Relationships) Act 1976 (“Act”) requires property to be equally divided, despite each party’s contribution.

Launched in 2017, KiwiBuild set out with an ambitious goal of delivering 100,000 affordable homes for first home buyers. Since its inception, the program has encountered challenges and its critics along the way. However, there have been noteworthy positive changes made to the KiwiBuild initiative, which this article aims to cover comprehensively. This article will provide you with all the essential information you need to know about KiwiBuild and its current status.

There’s a misconception that having at least a 20% deposit is the only option for a First Home Buyer. Whereas, the amount of deposit needed to buy a house in New Zealand can be from as low as 5% ... enabling First Home Buyers to pursue their dream of owning a property by using low deposit home loans.

Buying your first home can be an exciting, yet daunting, prospect. One of the biggest hurdles to overcome is the deposit required to secure a mortgage. For many Kiwis, being able to make a one-off withdrawal from their KiwiSaver for a home deposit enables them to reach their home-buying dreams.