Buying a house is one of the biggest decisions you will ever make
Buying a house is one of the biggest decisions you will ever make
What are your non-negotiables?
Before you even turn to Google, sit down and write out your property deal-breakers
* Which suburbs would you most like to live?
* Do you like the neighbouring suburbs?
* Are local schools a consideration?
* What’s the proximity to shops, sports facilities, cafes, restaurants etc?
* What are the dream features of your home?
* Is a garden or balcony important?
* How many bedrooms do you need?
* Do you need a garage?
* Do your desirables fall within your budget?
How much does it cost to buy property
Deposit
How much are you willing to pay upfront to secure your home?
The simple truth is that the more deposit you pay, the more likely you are to get a loan.
Of course, it depends on your lender and their rules, as well as your financial situation.
You may be eligible for government help if you’re buying your first home.
Other Costs
Property inspection reports are not compulsory, but it is a good idea to get a house inspection to uncover any likelihood of hidden costs you have to pay once you’ve bought the property.
We recommend you choose a property inspector who has professional indemnity insurance and carries out their work in accordance with the New Zealand Property Inspection Standards
When you have purchased your new home sit back and relax. You deserve it.
Have a confidential chat with me about anything real estate 0274 951 536
Coming up: Repair Cafe Tauranga
Tinkd Makerspace is proud to host Repair Café Tauranga! Repair Cafés are free meeting places where members of the community with broken household items and volunteer repair specialists come together to repair and learn. Register with us and bring ONE item with you and our team of volunteer repairs will assess, advise, and attempt a repair on the day.
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Share your favourite main crop potato recipe and win a copy of our mag!
Love potatoes? We will give away free copies of the May 2026 issue to readers whose potato recipes are used in our magazine. To be in the running, make sure you email your family's favourite way to enjoy potatoes: mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz, by March 1, 2026.
Have you got New Zealand's best shed? Show us and win!
Once again, Resene and NZ Gardener are on the hunt for New Zealand’s best shed! Send in the photos and the stories behind your man caves, she sheds, clever upcycled spaces, potty potting sheds and colourful chicken coops. The Resene Shed of the Year 2026 winner receives $1000 Resene ColorShop voucher, a $908 large Vegepod Starter Pack and a one-year subscription to NZ Gardener. To enter, tell us in writing (no more than 500 words) why your garden shed is New Zealand’s best, and send up to five high-quality photos by email to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz. Entries close February 23, 2026.
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