FIRST HOME LOAN
Buying and owning a home will be very different over the next 20 years
The First Home Loans product has been introduced in order to help first home buyers get their first property.
Having the deposit is normally the stumbling block for many home buyers as most lenders require a minimum of 20 percent deposit. But with the First Home Loans, buyers only need a 5% percent deposit.
The First Home Loans are issued by selected banks and other lenders, and underwritten by Kāinga Ora.
Contact us to check if you qualify.
FIRST HOME BUYER
We want you to pay off your mortgage faster, with fewer risks.
BUYING YOUR FIRST HOME
Buying your first home can be one of the most daunting and biggest steps you need to take in your life. The process may seem overwhelming and scary for many especially when you are unsure where to start.
You may be thinking which is a better option – buying an existing house or building a new one. You will also be saddled with concerns on the deposit that may be required from you. Some first home buyers are unaware of the steps and other sources of deposit.
This is exactly what we can do for you! We will guide you in the process of a hassle and stress-free first home buyer process.
We can also guide you in the structure of your loan which is also a crucial part of the process. Choosing the right structure will help you save money in the long run.
Feel free to talk to us about pathways in your home loan and we will have a feel of what is ideal for you depending on your needs and situations.
BUYING YOUR SECOND HOME
Buying your second home is just as tiresome as your first and there are important questions you need to answer and factors you need to look into again when buying a second home.
Whatever your reasons and motivation in getting a second home – whether you are upgrading or downsizing; wanting to step into the rental property investment; moving to different location or just wanting a nicer home, you still need to consider things and options that need important decision making.
We are here to guide and help you in some of the important questions you might have like:
Are you looking into just upgrading or wanting to have your existing property rented? Are you eligible and have enough equity to get a second home? Are you considering a new lender or would you want to stay in your current leader? Among others that you want to consider in getting that second home.
We go with you thru the process and make sure that it is as breeze as the first.
PREAPPROVED FINANCE
The benefits of getting your home loan pre-approved.
It is best advised that you get your home loan conditionally approved first before anything else. Having your pre-approval will enable you to gauge, more or less which house will suit your budget as it tells you the maximum purchase price you can play with. This lessens all the hassles of looking for a home that is not in your budget range.
Make it the initial step before you get into scouting for that “dream home.”
Home loan pre-approval does not cost anything, it is valid from 2- 6 mos and it allows you get the final unconditional approval faster.
Progressive Build Vs Turn Key
Features
Advantages
Disadvantages
Requirements
Progressive
Progressive builds are considered the more traditional way of building, and can be the cheapest method but there is a considerable amount of risk involve and work to do to build a home using a progressive build.
Progressive build generally means you find the section you would like to build on, buy the section and then look for a builder of your choice.
With progressive build, the lender will ask for more information above and beyond a normal application of finance.
Less expensive than Turn key
Higher deposit, around 10%-20%, to get started
More work to be completed by the applicants
Mortgage repayments need to be made during the build process
Construction Loans are a little more challenging
A full statement of position (application form)
A Sales and Purchase document
A registered valuation of the project
Full set of plans/specifications
Building permit/consent
Builder’s Risk Insurance
Turn Key
Turn Key has become more popular recently and although it is often a little more expensive than a progressive build. But often time less risky as compared to the progressive build. The builder will invest their funds towards your build therefore they take more risk.
Depending on the builder, there is normally a small deposit required upfront before the build starts. Then no further funds are required until they turn over the key to customers
Only a small deposit is required to start the build (varies from 0-10%), depending on the builder.
No mortgage repayments during the build.
Mortgage repayments only start after Code of Compliance is received and you have moved into the property.
Little more expensive than a construction loan
A full statement of position (application form)
A Sales and Purchase document
A registered valuation of the project
Full set of plans/specifications
Building permit/consent
Builder’s Risk Insurance
SOURCE OF DEPOSIT
1. Savings
When buying a house, savings is considered one of the good sources of deposits. Keep in mind that the bigger you deposit, the lesser you will pay in interest over long terms. It is always a good idea to start putting on a certain amount into regular savings.
Maintaining a savings plan gives your lender an indication how well your household budget will able to handle the loan. Learn to gain control over your unnecessary expenses and debts and start building a savings plan.
Saving for the future also gives us more options later on and keeps us prepared for anything unexpected.
2. Gifted Deposits
A gifted deposit is when someone gives a homebuyer a sum of money towards the deposit required. It helps when you are buying a first home and you don’t have enough deposit saved. This can be in the form of a gift where you are lent or given some money for a bank deposit. However, it the case of home loan, a gift can only be made by a family member.
An example is when your parents simply gifts you the difference between what you have saved and what the deposit amount is required to add up to 10%. For example, if you have $50,000.00 saved and need a deposit of $60,000.00, then a family member can gift you another $10,000.00 to complete the deposit amount required.
3. Kiwisaver
When you have been in KiwiSaver for more than 3 years and meet some basic criteria, then you are more than likely able to access funds from your KiwiSaver provider. This is becoming a popular avenue in finding assistance with a homebuyer’s deposit.
This assistance is generally only available to people purchasing their first family home. However, there are also some exclusions.
Things you should know when accessing the funds:
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This is accessible and available to anyone wanting to purchase their FIRST HOME.
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There are no restrictions on how much you earn or how much is the property.
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Kiwisaver funds can only be used to purchase a property to live in and not to be used to buy a rental property.
There are second chances to use your Kiwisaver funds if you have owned a home before. if you are in this situation, we could talk more about its details.
Disclaimer: Please talk to a Qualified Investments Adviser to discuss your Kiwisaver.
4. Home Start Grant
Home Start Grants vary from region to region. the information below is for Christchurch region.
This subsidy is closely linked to the length of time you have been in your KiwiSaver scheme and contributions made to your KiwiSaver. If you meet certain criteria you are able to receive $1,000.00 for every year you have been in KiwiSaver up to a maximum of $5,000.00.
This subsidy is available for each application. If there are two applicants then you could be eligible for up to $10,000.00 to help towards the required deposit. Although there are some exclusions, this assistance is generally only available to people purchasing their first family home.
The HomeStart Grant can be applied for when you have been in Kiwisaver for more than three years and you are under the following caps:
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A single applicant doesn’t earn over $85,000.00 a year.
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A dual applicants’ income isn’t over $130,000.00 a year. There are no exceptions to these caps.
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A purchase of a pre-loved property cannot be higher than $500,000.00 and a build cannot be above $550,000.00.
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If a build is being completed, then your HomeStart Grant doubles over purchasing a pre-loved property to a maximum of $10,000.00 per application (Maximum of 2 applicants).
5. Using a Family Member's Existing Equity - A Guarantor
This is somehow similar to gifted deposit but this revolves around a family member already owning a home or rental property. With enough equity (the difference between the value of the property and the existing mortgage), it can help with the deposit required.
Here, you are forced to use the same lender as the person whose property you are using. As you are also placing the family member who guarantees the loan, lender can demand payment from the guarantor if you fail to repay your mortgage.
GUIDED STEPS IN BUYING AN EXISTING HOUSE
Buying a home can be a complicated and demanding process, especially when it is your first. To help you simplify things, we have come up with these steps and tools that can help you in the home-buying process and for you to reduce that stress of finding a new home. It may not be in the right order but at least follow each suggested step.
Step 1: Check your credit report and score
It is a smart way that before approaching the lender, try checking your credit report. There are plenty of ways to assess your credit score and one option is www.creditsimple.co.nz
Credit score ranges from 350 to 850. The higher your credit score, the higher the chance of your loan approval.
Talk to us to discuss about your credit score.
Step 2: Figure out how much you can afford and what you really like to buy
Have a thought of how much you can really afford or how much you are willing and able to pay each month. Start going to open houses and do your housing market research to gauge where your budget range can get you. You can now start talking to real estate agents or builders. Contemplate if you want to build a house or just an existing one and know the difference between turn key or progressive build.
Step 3: Sources of Deposit
Do have the deposit required? Lenders have different deposit requirement. Check your source of deposit...
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Savings – how much savings do you have?
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Do you have a gifted a deposit form your parents or any family member?
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Have you contacted your Kiwi Saver provider? (Get a copy of Kiwi Saver Certificate (Contact your kiwi saver provider, tell them you want a letter summarizing how much you can withdraw to use for purchasing your first home.
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Get a letter from Housing NZ stating your eligibility or first home grant
remove this website
https://kaingaora.govt.nz/home-ownership/first-home-grant/apply-for-the-first-home-grant/
Step 4: Get pre-approved by a lender
We can help you from as early as getting a pre-approval from the bank. Based on all the information you can give us we can have lenders pre-approval either with the banks or non-bank lenders.
It is best to get the pre-approval early on because it gives you the bargaining power once you find a suitable house for you
Step 5: Start looking at houses
After getting the pre-approval from the lender, you can now start and actively search for you house. By now you have more or less know what you really intend to do and have talked to your agent. It is good to look for your options and find the best one for you.
Step 6: Make an offer/ Signing Documents
Once you’ve finally found a house you really love, then you can now contact your solicitor and discuss with them about your interest in making an offer and signing the contract, the listing price is only a starting point. Your realtor agent will understand the market and help guide you to make the most attractive offer, whether it’s below, or above listing price. Making an offer can be very daunting, choosing the right price for the property is really hard. Factors to consider are the valuation report of the property, the asking price of the vendor and sometimes it is what your gut tells you.
When your offer is accepted. You may now start your due diligence work and your mortgage adviser will guide you through.
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Getting a builder to look over the house making sure there or defects or anything that needs to be fixed.
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Get your lawyer to help you book for the LIM report G
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We (your mortgage adviser) can assist you in booking for a valuator, to get the actual value of the property. Doing this will help you gauge whether the price of the property is at par with the market. This is also the basis of the bank when lending you the money - the value of the property and the purchase value of the property whichever is lower.
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Get insurance and establish utilities. Just call your insurance agent and let them know you’re buying a new home. They will handle writing a new policy. If you don’t have an insurance agent, now’s the time to find one because your lender will require this. Even if you don’t have a mortgage, get it immediately as insurance is a critical part of protecting your investment. You’ll also want to give utility companies your move-in date to establish service.
Ticked everything? We can now help you submit all the documents to get unconditional offer from the bank.
Step 7: Home inspection day
Home inspection day is a big day! There are things to might want to check like the updated builders report.
Step 8: Settlement Day
Get the keys and move in!
It’s celebration time! You have done all the crucial parts and you are now a bonafide homeowner! Your move in date will be specified in your contract. You can now start thinking of the things you want to buy for your new home! Congratulations for finishing the home-buying journey!
WHAT IS A MORTGAGE REVIEW?
Good for You and Your Financial Health
An annual financial checkup is as important for your finances as a physical is for your health, and your mortgage is a large part of your finances. As your life changes, a mortgage review helps you determine if your loan should change. While an annual review is ideal, you should definitely schedule one now if:
Your marital status or household income has changed.
Your interest rate has changed, or will be changing soon.
You have a large upcoming expense.
It's been at least three years since your last review.