Once you’ve got an idea for a budget you can start researching what’s out there. Some important things to note when looking for a house in New Zealand:
Houses have the potential to be leaky homes
Look at what the roof and walls are made of and always get a builder's opinion if the home you want was built between 1988 to 2004
Monolithic cladding should be checked regardless of the date the house was built
Learn about asbestos, it can be pricey to fix if you aren’t clued in and you want to do up your home
Lead paint was used to paint houses in NZ before 1970. It’s not a deal-breaker as it is harmless if left untouched, but if you’re planning on repainting the house factor this into your costs
Apartments often have lower going prices than houses, but owning an apartment means that you're on the hook for annual body corporate costs on top of the usual Council rates
If a house has been extensively renovated, you'll want to ensure that all changes are reflected in its LIM report or property file - everything should have consent!
It's always safer to get a building inspection if you're unsure of any characteristics of a home; leave it to the professionals
Having a list of must-haves, ideals, and no-go’s early can help steer you when you can’t decide. We all know the excitement of looking at listings and picking out tons and tons of dream homes. However, it's very important to be as pragmatic as possible.
Do you need 3 bedrooms? Do you need just as many bathrooms? Is a garden an absolute must-have or are you happy with a unit? Do you need a freehold title or are you happy on a cross-lease? Are you clued in on what owning a cross-lease property actually means? These are all good things to cover at the start of your journey. There’s a lot of houses out there and you’ll find many you might want to bid on or make an offer on, so stick to your checklist to whittle the list down.