RealyNZ home buying guides
Plain-English, NZ-specific guides to every stage of buying a home — from KiwiSaver and LIM reports to the Sale and Purchase Agreement and settlement day.
Getting started
New to buying? Start here — finances, the process, and where to get help.
How to buy a house in New Zealand
Step-by-step guide to buying a house in NZ in 2026 — from KiwiSaver and pre-approval through to LIM, builder's report, going unconditional, and settlement.
Confused or overwhelmed buying your first home in NZ
Overwhelmed by KiwiSaver, LVR, LIMs, builder's reports and bank pre-approvals? This plain-English guide tells you what to do this week, this month, and what you can ignore for now.
How the NZ home buying process actually works
A plain-English walkthrough of the entire NZ home buying process — what happens at each stage, who's involved, what you sign, and how long each step takes.
Your team
Who does what, who works for you, and what each professional costs.
Due diligence
Everything to check before you go unconditional — don't skip this.
NZ property due diligence checklist
The complete NZ property due diligence checklist: LIM, builder's report, title search, insurance, body corp, meth test, and what most buyers miss before going unconditional.
LIM report explained (NZ)
A LIM is the council's full record of a property. Learn what's in it, how to read it, what to watch for, what it doesn't cover, and typical costs across NZ councils.
Builder's report NZ — what it covers and what to look for
Plain-English guide to NZ builder's reports: what's in a NZS 4306 report, what it costs, what it doesn't cover, and the specific red flags that should make you walk away.
How to do due diligence when buying property in NZ
Step-by-step guide to running due diligence when buying property in New Zealand — timing, order of checks, how to read each report, and how to make the go/no-go call before your deadline.
Making an offer
How offers work in NZ, from private negotiation to auction and the contract.
Conditional vs unconditional offers (NZ)
Conditional offers give you an escape clause; unconditional ones don't. Here's when to use each, what the risks are, and how to make a stronger offer in NZ.
NZ sale and purchase agreement explained
Walk through the standard ADLS/REINZ Sale and Purchase Agreement: deposit, conditions, settlement date, chattels, GST, default interest, and the clauses that catch buyers out.
Auction vs negotiation vs tender — NZ property sale methods
Confused by NZ property sale methods? Plain-English comparison of auction, negotiation, tender, and deadline sale — what each means for buyers and which to approach (or avoid).
Finance
KiwiSaver, the First Home Grant, and getting your money ready.
Mindset
The emotional side of buying — because it's harder than people admit.
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