Buying

Here are some helpful tips for the lead up to and process of buying your first home.

Finalise your finances

Before you talk to the real estate agent about offers or auctions when you’re house hunting, come and speak to us about buying your first home. It’s important that you know exactly where you stand financially, so you know when to go for it or when to walk away.

Even for first home buyers with home loan pre-approval, we still need to confirm that it’s appropriate for you. You don't need to sign anything or commit to a loan, but it’s ideal to begin the house buying process knowing what you can afford based on your borrowing potential.

First home buyers get $3,000 cash. Minimum.

We're giving first home buyers $3,000 cash when you take out a home loan of $250,000 or more. Whatever you’re looking for in a home, we can help.

Apply online

ASB’s lending criteria and terms apply. To be eligible for the $3,000 cash contribution you must have new lending of $250,000 or above, the lending must be for purchasing a home to be owner-occupied by the applicant(s) and must be the applicant’s first home loan (as determined by ASB). The cash contribution is conditional on the applicant agreeing that the loan will remain with ASB for at least 3 years and if the loan is repaid within that time a pro-rata portion of the cash contribution, based on the remaining months left, will be repaid to ASB. This offer cannot be used in conjunction with any other ASB cash contribution offer.

Find the right home loan

Fixed interest rate home loan

Make budgeting easier with regular, fixed payments.

Find out more

Variable interest rate home loan

Enjoy flexibility with your loan payments.

Learn more

Revolving credit home loan

Draw and repay your loan at any time, within your credit limit.

ASB Compassionate Care

ASB Compassionate Care is a free ASB home loan benefit. This means if you were to pass away, an amount is paid to help with around 12 months of interest costs on your eligible ASB home lending. We've teamed up with AIA New Zealand (AIA) to bring you this free home loan benefit to help ease the burden during a stressful time.

ASB Compassionate Care is a first for Kiwis. Read more about this home loan benefit here.

Settlement day

Everything's all been leading up to this; when you are officially a first home buyer. We have a few points to consider for your settlement day.

Your settlement date is one of the things you will have agreed when negotiating your offer.
Often it won't all be completed until later in the day, so it's better not to line up a moving truck for the same day.
Before the final settlement goes through, ask for a pre-settlement building inspection. The building inspector will check that everything is precisely how you agreed it would be. Along with the building report, make sure everything is as you agreed, including checking that all the chattels are still there and nothing unexpected has happened to the house.
Once everything is finalised, you become the home’s legal owner, and the agent will give you the keys. It's a big moment and well worth a celebration.
If you can, settle one or two days before moving day. Then, you can see your new home with no furniture or clutter, which can help you think about how you'd like to arrange things.

Protecting yourself, your loved ones and your home

Protecting your home

Whether it's your home or your rental property, home insurance can look after the little things like lost keys or broken windows, or more serious things like damage from an earthquake or flooding. It gives you the peace of mind that your home can be rebuilt or repaired should something happen to it.

Protecting your contents

Contents insurance can cover your contents for loss occurring throughout New Zealand. While insurance can't cover an item’s sentimental value, contents insurance can help you recover the financial cost of your items if you’ve got the right level of cover.

Protecting yourself and your loved ones

Taking out life insurance can be a great tip for first home buyers. You are your most important asset, so protect yourself like one. If you were to get injured, fall ill or pass away, your ability to work or generate an income is at risk. So protect yourself and your loved one's ability to make the mortgage repayments and day-to-day living expenses during these difficult times.

Your will

A will is an essential document for homeowners. It's important to get one or update your current one, so it's clear what should happen to your home after you're gone.

ASB does not provide this type of advice - make sure you talk to your lawyer to arrange your will.

Withdrawing your KiwiSaver savings

If you've decided to use your KiwiSaver savings as part of your first home deposit and you've made sure you're eligible, you will need to let your lawyer or conveyancing partner know.

They'll guide you through the home grant process and application, and once we've received your KiwiSaver first home withdrawal application, it will take about ten days to turn this around - be sure to leave enough time before the day of settlement!

Apply for KiwiSaver first home withdrawal

Next steps

The first step on the property ladder is to be armed with the best advice before you start. ASB has all the tools for your dream home buying process.

Starting

Tips and tools for the first home buyer to help you plan, budget and save money. Use our mortgage repayments calculator to compare home loans, interest rates, terms and mortgage payments.

Power Saving

Ways you could boost your savings to help you on your journey to first home ownership.

Finding

How to hunt for the right home and who to talk to while you're looking.

Buying

Handy information for the lead up to and process of buying your first home.

Let's talk about your first home

Call us

We're here weekdays 8:00am - 6:30pm or Saturday 8:30am - 5:00pm to answer your home loan questions.

0800 100 600

Apply online

Ready to take the next step?

Get started with your home loan application online. Provide a few details and one of our home loan specialists will be in touch to complete the next steps with you.

This form will take 5-10 minutes to complete.

Get started

Speak to a Home Ownership Manager

Our home buying experts cover much of the country.

Find one near you

Visit a branch

Visit us at any one of our many branches across New Zealand.

Find a branch

ASB's lending criteria and terms apply

The availability of insurance cover is subject to your application being approved. All applications are subject to individual consideration. Special conditions, exclusions or premium loadings may apply. An excess may apply for health and general insurance policies. For full details refer to the policy document which is available on request from ASB Bank Limited.

ASB life, health and disability insurances are underwritten by AIA New Zealand Limited ("AIA").

General Insurance is underwritten by IAG New Zealand Limited ("IAG").

All licensed insurance providers are required to have a financial strength rating from an approved rating agency. See further details about AIA's financial strength rating and IAG's financial strength rating.

Interests in the ASB KiwiSaver Scheme (Scheme) are issued by ASB Group Investments Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of ASB Bank Limited (ASB). ASB provides Scheme administration and distribution services. No person guarantees interests in the Scheme. Interests in the Scheme are not deposits or other liabilities of ASB. They are subject to investment risk, including possible loss of income and principal invested. For more information see the ASB KiwiSaver Scheme Product Disclosure Statement available from this website and the register of offers of financial products at www.disclose-register.companiesoffice.govt.nz (search for ASB KiwiSaver Scheme).

Buying

Finalise your finances

First home buyers get $3,000 cash. Minimum.

We're giving first home buyers $3,000 cash when you take out a home loan of $250,000 or more. Whatever you’re looking for in a home, we can help.

Apply online

Find the right home loan

Fixed interest rate home loan

Variable interest rate home loan

Revolving credit home loan

ASB Compassionate Care

Settlement day

Protecting yourself, your loved ones and your home

Protecting your home

Protecting your contents

Protecting yourself and your loved ones

Your will

Withdrawing your KiwiSaver savings

Next steps

Starting

Power Saving

Finding

Buying

Let's talk about your first home

Call us

Apply online

Speak to a Home Ownership Manager

Visit a branch

Apply for an ASB home loan

Apply for an ASB home loan