Get at least $5,000 cash back on your first home
Apply for a new BNZ home loan of $250,000 or more when buying your first home and you could get a minimum of $5,000 cash back.^
Helping you into your first home
Buying your first home is likely to be your biggest purchase yet. We’re here to help you understand the process and support you on the journey.
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Step-by-step guide to buying a house
If you’re confused about the ins and outs of buying a house, you’re not alone. We’ve put together a guide to help explain each stage of the home-buying process, from applying for a home loan to settlement.
Your deposit
A home loan deposit is your initial contribution to the purchase of a property. In most cases you’ll need a deposit of at least 20% of the value of the house. The rest can be covered by a home loan.
Saving for your deposit
With a Rapid Save account, you can earn interest on every dollar no matter what your balance. A term deposit is a low-risk investment with a fixed interest rate and term.^
Using KiwiSaver for your deposit
If you’re a KiwiSaver member, you might be able to withdraw your savings to help you buy or build your first home.^
Less than 20% deposit options
If you don’t have a 20% deposit, there may be other options available to help you get into your first home.
Help with your deposit
There are various ways to get help with purchasing a home if you have a low deposit.
Help from family
Family may be able to help with lending or gifting money towards a deposit, or they may be able to use their available equity to act as co-borrowers or guarantors.
New builds
If you’re buying a completed new build, deposit requirements can be flexible.
Shared ownership programmes
We’ve teamed up with organisations that provide shared ownership programmes to help first home buyers with a low deposit.
Your home loan
A home loan, also known as a mortgage, is an agreement where borrow money to buy a house or property. You pay off this loan over a set period, typically between 10 to 30 years, through regular repayments.
Loan types
As you embark on your first home buying journey, it’s important to know that there are different types of home loans to suit your needs.
Understanding Loan-to-Value Ratios (LVR)
Loan-to-value ratios (LVRs) are something anyone looking to take out a home loan needs to be aware of, as they can affect how much you could borrow. Here’s how to make sense of this sometimes confusing part of buying a house.
Talk to a Home Loan Partner
Our Home Loan Partners can provide expert advice on choosing your first home loan, and helping you through the buying process. They’re mobile, and available at a time and place that suits you.
Contact an expert
All home loans are subject to our lending criteria (including minimum equity requirements), terms and fees. Interest rates are subject to change. An establishment fee of up to $150 may apply. Not for business purposes.
References to third party websites are provided for your convenience only. BNZ accepts no responsibility for the availability or content of such websites.
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