Your First Home Starts with the Right Mortgage Advice.
Buying your first home is a major financial milestone. From saving your deposit and understanding your borrowing capacity to securing mortgage pre-approval and settling on your new home, the process can involve a lot of decisions.
At Biz Mortgages, we help first-home buyers across New Zealand understand their home loan options and navigate the mortgage application process.
Whether you’re just starting to explore the possibility of buying your first home or you’re ready to apply for finance, our experienced mortgage advisers can help you understand what may be available based on your individual circumstances.
Your first home. Your financial goals. Your mortgage strategy.
For many first-home buyers, getting a mortgage is one of the most important parts of the home-buying process.
Lenders may consider factors such as your income, expenses, existing debts, deposit, credit history and the property you are looking to purchase when assessing a home loan application.
Understanding these requirements before you start making offers can help you approach the buying process with greater clarity.
Our role is to help you understand the lending process, discuss relevant mortgage options and assist with preparing your application.
The deposit required for a home loan can depend on your circumstances, the lender, the type of property and the lending criteria that apply at the time you apply.
Some first-home buyers may have a larger deposit saved, while others may have access to options such as KiwiSaver or other sources of funds, depending on their eligibility.
There is no single deposit requirement that applies to every buyer.
At Biz Mortgages, we can help you understand the deposit considerations that may apply to your circumstances and the types of lending options you may be able to explore.
Your potential borrowing capacity depends on your individual financial position and the lending criteria applied by the lender. Factors can include:
Your income and employment
Your regular living expenses
Existing personal or business debt
Credit commitments
Your deposit and available funds
Your financial dependants
The value and property you want to purchase
Applicable lending restrictions and policies
Whether you are employed or self-employed
Mortgage pre-approval can give you a better understanding of your potential borrowing position before you make an offer on a property.
A lender may assess your financial information and provide an indication of the amount they may be prepared to lend, subject to conditions.
Pre-approval is not the same as unconditional approval, and it does not guarantee that a particular property will be approved for lending.
At Biz Mortgages, we can help you understand the pre-approval process and the information you may need to provide.
Your lender may require documentation to verify your financial position. Depending on your circumstances, this may include:
Proof of income
Payslips, employment information, or other evidence of income.
Bank statements
Information showing your income, expenses, savings, and financial commitments.
Identification
Documents required to verify your identity. Most commonly drivers license or passport.
Deposit information
Evidence of your available deposit and the source of your funds.
Existing lending information
Details of credit cards, personal loans, vehicle finance, mortgages, or other commitments.
Self-employed documentation
Information such as financial statements and tax information may be required.
Some eligible first-home buyers may qualify for a First Home Loan through participating lenders.
A First Home Loan can have different eligibility requirements from a standard home loan.
Because government-supported lending programmes and eligibility criteria can change, we recommend checking the current requirements when you are preparing your application.
Our mortgage advisers can help you understand the lending options relevant to your circumstances.
Eligible first-home buyers may be able to use KiwiSaver funds towards purchasing their first home, subject to the applicable eligibility requirements and rules.
Because eligibility can depend on your individual circumstances, it is important to check the current requirements before relying on KiwiSaver as part of your deposit.
Biz Mortgages can help you understand how your available deposit fits into the wider mortgage application process.
Having a smaller deposit does not necessarily mean you cannot explore home ownership.
However, lower-deposit lending can involve additional requirements, lending restrictions or pricing considerations, depending on the lender and your circumstances.
Your income, expenses, credit history, property type and overall financial position can all be relevant.
Rather than assuming that you need a particular deposit percentage, talk to a mortgage adviser about your individual position.
Being self-employed does not necessarily prevent you from applying for a home loan.
However, your application may require additional financial information because lenders need to understand your income and financial position.
If you are a business owner, contractor, shareholder or self-employed professional, we can help you understand how your income and business information may need to be presented as part of a mortgage application.
There are different ways a home loan can potentially be structured.
Depending on your circumstances and lender requirements, options may include:
Each structure has different features and considerations. The right approach depends on your circumstances, financial objectives and the lending options available to you.
Understand Your Position
We start by understanding your income, deposit, existing commitments, financial goals and plans for buying your first home.
Explore Your Lending Options
We help you understand the mortgage options that may be relevant to your circumstances.
Prepare Your Application
We help you understand the information and documentation required for your mortgage application.
Mortgage Pre-Approval
Where appropriate, we can help you through the process of seeking mortgage pre-approval.
Find Your Home
Once you understand your potential borrowing position, you can search for a property within your financial parameters.
Apply for the Property
When you have found a property, the lender will assess the specific property and relevant conditions before final approval.
Settlement
Once finance and all other conditions have been satisfied, you can proceed towards settlement and owning your first home.
Navigating your first home loan can be complicated, particularly when you are unfamiliar with lender requirements and mortgage terminology.
A mortgage adviser can help you:
At Biz Mortgages, our focus is on making the mortgage process easier to understand and helping you make informed decisions about your lending
Buying your first home is a significant decision, so having an experienced team guiding you through the lending process can make the journey easier to navigate.
Our team includes mortgage and financial professionals with experience across home lending, property finance, business lending and more complex financial situations.
Experienced Mortgage Advice
Our team provides mortgage and lending advice across a range of personal and business lending requirements.
A Broader View of Your Finances
Your first home loan is part of your wider financial position. We consider your income, existing commitments, future plans and property objectives when discussing your lending options.
Access to a Range of Lenders
Biz Mortgages provides financial advice on lending products from a range of bank and non-bank product providers, subject to our disclosed arrangements and the lender options available for your circumstances.
Clear Communication
We explain the mortgage process in straightforward language and keep you informed about the steps involved.
National Service
Biz Mortgages is based in Auckland and provides mortgage advice to clients throughout New Zealand.
Buying your first home is a significant decision, so having an experienced team guiding you through the lending process can make the journey easier to navigate.
Our team includes mortgage and financial professionals with experience across home lending, property finance, business lending and more complex financial situations.
Buying your first home can feel overwhelming, but we’re here to make the process easier. Explore our frequently asked questions to find helpful answers about home loans, deposits, the buying process, and everything you need to know to take your first step towards homeownership with confidence.
Existing debt does not automatically prevent you from applying for a mortgage. However, lenders generally consider existing financial commitments when assessing an application.
Once lending approval and all relevant conditions have been satisfied, the transaction can proceed towards settlement. Your solicitor or conveyancer will also be involved in the legal and settlement process.
Your first home is a major milestone. Getting the right information early can help you approach the process with greater clarity.
Whether you’re just starting to save your deposit, preparing for pre-approval or ready to make an offer, the Biz Mortgages team can help you understand your mortgage options.
Talk to Biz Mortgages about your first home loan today.
