Buying

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

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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. 

A little extra support to help you get into your first home

Buying your first home is a big milestone, so we're here to help make it a little easier.

If you're an eligible first home buyer, you could receive a $5,000 cash contribution when taking out a home loan of $200,000 or more with ASB - even if you have less than a 20% deposit.

You'll need to be buying your first home to live in and have never owned a residential property in New Zealand.

How to qualify
To receive the First Home Buyer Cash Contribution, you must:

  • Meet ASB's home lending criteria, the offer terms and be approved for your home loan.
  • Meet the First Home Buyer eligibility requirements.
  • Let your lender or broker know before settlement that you'd like to be considered for the First Home Buyer Cash Contribution.

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Full First Home Buyer Cash Contribution terms:

  1. You must be purchasing your first home to live in or must not have previously owned a residential property in New Zealand. Where one or more borrowers have previously owned a residential property, ASB may, at its discretion, determine eligibility for a reduced cash contribution.
  2. A minimum home loan of $200,000 must be drawn down in full at settlement.
  3. The cash contribution will be paid on or after settlement once all eligibility requirements have been met.
  4. If you refinance, repay, or otherwise terminate your loan within 36 months of receiving the cash contribution, including through a mortgagee sale, you will be required to repay a pro-rata portion of the cash contribution, as determined by ASB.
  5. This offer may be changed, withdrawn, or extended at any time. 

Important information
Meeting ASB's home lending criteria does not automatically make you eligible for the First Home Buyer Cash Contribution. Eligibility requirements and offer terms also apply. If you believe you meet the eligibility requirements and did not receive the First Home Buyer Cash Contribution, contact your lender, broker, or ASB within 14 days of settlement. We'll review your application and, where eligible, ensure the correct cash contribution is paid.

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.

Read more

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.

We're here to help

Apply online

Apply for a new home loan, or to switch your existing home loan to ASB. We'll be in touch to confirm the next steps. Give yourself 5-10 minutes.

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Meet in person

One of our team can meet at a time and place that suits you, or you can make an appointment to meet at an ASB branch.

Find a Home Ownership Manager near you.

Log in to book an appointment.

Give us a call

You can pick up the phone and call one of our home lending team, weekdays 8:00am-6:30pm and on Saturday 8:30am-5:00pm.

0800 100 600

+64 9 306 3000 for overseas

Manage loan online

Existing customers can view and manage loans, apply for a top up and more.

Log in to Home Central

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).