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Photos: Berry Real Estate

Buying with Berry

Five short steps, from first look to the keys. Read them in order, or jump to the one you are on.

First home? Four money things to find out early

Before you fall for a home, it helps to know these four. Each links to the official page that explains it; the date says when Berry last checked that page.

  1. Pre-approval. A conditional pre-approval from a bank or lender shows the price range you can buy in. Settled.govt.nz says it is usually free, usually lasts three months, and is needed to bid at an auction with a home loan.
  2. Your deposit. There are two: the share of the price your lender asks you to put in yourself, and the deposit paid when the sale and purchase agreement is signed. Settled.govt.nz explains both.
  3. KiwiSaver first-home withdrawal. Inland Revenue says it is for people who have been in KiwiSaver for at least three years, that a set amount stays in the account (its page says how much), and that you apply through your KiwiSaver provider. Kāinga Ora covers people who have owned a home before. Ask your provider early how long it takes, so it is ready before settlement.
  4. First Home Loan eligibility. The government's First Home Loan lowers the deposit eligible first home buyers need (the Ministry's page gives the figure). Kāinga Ora sets who is eligible; find out whether you are before you count on it.

This is a list of things to find out, not financial advice. Berry is a real estate agency: questions about borrowing go to your bank or a financial adviser, and about KiwiSaver to your KiwiSaver provider.

  1. What to expectBuying a home goes in a usual order: work out what you can spend, find a home, see it, make an offer, then settlement, when the home becomes yours.
  2. Find a homeEvery Berry listing is on this site. Search in your own words, look on the map, or browse a town.
  3. See it for yourselfGo to an open home, or ask for a private viewing at a time that suits you.
  4. Making an offerHow you offer depends on how the home is being sold: by negotiation, at auction, by deadline or by tender. The listing's price line usually says which.
  5. Settlement and the keysOnce the conditions are met the sale is unconditional. On settlement day your lawyer and bank pay the seller's side, and you get the keys.

Start: What to expect

Selling with Berry instead?

Berry's director is checking this wording.