Home and property
Information on how to buy a home, from first home buyer guides to investment properties.
Buying your first home
Tips to help you plan for your first home, including how to save for a deposit, finding a home, and applying for a loan.
Buying a house at auction
5 minute read
If you’re looking for a home to buy, here are some tips for what to do when it comes to buying at auction.
Buying a rental property
4 minute read
If it’s too expensive to buy in the city where you live, buying a property elsewhere and renting it out may be a good option for you.
Should you withdraw KiwiSaver savings to pay for your first home?
4 minute read
Using your KiwiSaver savings to get on the property ladder can be a great opportunity but deciding if it’s the right move for you requires some thought.
What influences shifts in mortgage rates
4 minute read
Whether they’re going up or down, home loan interest rates always seem to be in the news. Let’s discuss what factors can affect these shifts, and what you could do when rates rise or fall.
Demystifying the home loan application process
5 minute read
What do lenders look at when they are assessing a home loan application? Here we break down some of the key criteria.
The Bank of Mum and Dad
3 minute read
Financial support from family when buying a first home can be a game changer, but there are a range of things both parties should consider.
Buying a new build or building a first home
4 minute read
Whether you’re looking at buying a new home or building your own from scratch, choosing a new build could be a great option to get yourself onto the property ladder.
Brett and Angel’s journey to buying their first home
3 minute read
Reality TV couple Brett and Angel first committed to marriage, then to buying a home together. Discover the smart financial choices they made to reach their home ownership goal.
How two family members bought a house together
5 minute read
Friends or family combining funds can be a great way for several people to get on the property ladder at the same time.
Applying for a home loan
4 minute read
Here’s what you need to know about applying for a home loan (often called a mortgage).
Making an offer
4 minute read
You’ve found the house you want. Here are the three most common ways to make an offer, and an outline of what you need to do before you make your offer.
How KiwiSaver could help you to buy your first home
4 minute read
From checking your eligibility, to making sure you’ve got the money when you need it, here’s how you might be able to use your KiwiSaver savings to get into your first home.
How to borrow to build a brand-new home
4 minute read
There are a few different ways to build a brand-new home, and a few things to consider when it comes to borrowing for each type of build.
Finding a home
4 minute read
Buying a home is one of the biggest and most exciting purchases you’ll ever make. With that in mind, here are some things to consider along the way.
Buying an apartment
4 minute read
Apartments are often more affordable than stand-alone houses, so can be a great first step in your journey to home ownership.
Saving a deposit for a house
5 minute read
If you’re saving for a deposit on a house, find out how much you might need and discover ways to help you reach your goal.
The terms you’ll see and hear when you apply for a home loan
4 minute read
Applying for a home loan can bring with it a whole new language. Here, we explain some of the most commonly used terms.
Finalising the details
5 minute read
After you make your offer, there are a few loose ends that need to be tied up before you can settle on the home and move in.
Applying for a loan to build
4 minute read
Creating your dream home from scratch can be an exciting but daunting journey. Understanding the different steps when it comes to borrowing for your build could help make the ride that much smoother.
Moving in
5 minute read
Moving into your new home is one of the most exciting days of your life. Here’s an overview of how settlement works, and tips on how to make your move run smoothly.
Managing your mortgage
Pay off your mortgage quicker, refinance, restructure and stay financially healthy during the life of your loan.
What’s an offset home loan?
0 minute read
Using an offset home loan could help save you money and pay off your loan faster. In this article we’ll look at what an offset home loan is, how it works, and why it could be worth considering.
What to think about when your home loan fixed rate is ending
3 minute read
BNZ’s General Manager of Consumer Lending shares his thoughts on what to consider when your home loan’s fixed rate is coming to an end.
What to consider when interest rates decrease
4 minute read
A drop in interest rates can affect people in different ways – we examine what homeowners might want to consider when rates drop and the opportunities that can arise.
Paying your mortgage: the early days
5 minute read
Life has ups and downs, and so does your mortgage. Find out how to make the most of your mortgage in the early days.
Paying your mortgage: a few years in
6 minute read
Find out how to make the most of the early years of your mortgage life cycle.
Paying your mortgage: the twilight years
2 minute read
Make the most of the twilight years of your mortgage life cycle as you become mortgage-free.
Six ways to pay off your home loan faster
3 minute read
Living a mortgage-free life can feel like a pipe dream, but applying these six strategies could help make it a reality – and much sooner than you think.
Five things to consider each year to manage your mortgage
4 minute read
Reviewing your home loan regularly can help you find ways to pay it off faster. Get started with these useful tips.
What to do once you’ve paid off your mortgage
4 minute read
Here are a few steps you could take once you’re home loan free.
Refinancing your mortgage
3 minute read
Thinking of refinancing? Discover the ins and outs of the process.
What you can do if you’re having trouble with home loan repayments
4 minute read
Running into financial challenges can make it difficult to keep up with home loan repayments. Here are some options that could take some of the pressure off.
Borrowing to renovate
4 minute read
If you’re thinking about renovating, topping up your home loan might be a good way to cover the costs. Here's how to prepare, and what else to consider along the way.
Buying your next home
Tips to help you move up the property ladder, get ready to sell, and buy your next property.
Six steps to help you prepare a house for sale
3 minute read
Get potential buyers knocking with this guide to preparing your property for sale.
Moving your mortgage when you move house
3 minute read
Discover the different ways of moving your mortgage when you’re moving house.
How to calculate the return on your investment property
3 minute read
Find out how much your investment property is making you by calculating its rental yield.
How bridging finance works
3 minute read
Bridging finance can be a handy way to purchase a new home before you’ve sold your current one. Find out how it works.
How to use your home equity to buy rental property
3 minute read
Has your home been building up equity? Find out how you could leverage it to start an investment portfolio.