First-Home Buyer’s Guide to Buying or Building New

Your first home starts with plenty of questions. What can you afford? Which location feels right? Would you rather buy a home already taking shape or be more involved in the design?

You do not need to understand the whole process before you start. Bring your goals and questions, then work through the budget, property and next steps with the right people.

Here is a practical way to begin looking at a new home.

Work out a comfortable budget

Talk with your lender about your savings, borrowing and the funding structure for the type of home you are considering. Think about what the repayments would mean for everyday life.

Include legal costs, moving and anything outside the package or contract. Our new-build budget checklist can help you think beyond the advertised price.

Check any support you may qualify for

Ask your KiwiSaver provider about a first-home withdrawal and the time needed to arrange it. Eligible borrowers may also be able to explore a First Home Loan through a participating lender.

Check your actual eligibility rather than relying on another buyer's experience. The First Home Grant is closed to new applications, so an old grant reference should not be included in your budget.

Explore how you want to buy or build

With House + Land, you can assess a home and section offered together. Check the plan, location, specification and construction stage.

With Design + Build, the conversation begins with your needs and site. Compare the choices, timing and total costs for each route before deciding.

Understand the payments

Ask what deposit is required by the agreement, when other payments are due and what your lender will fund. These are related questions, but the answers are not automatically the same.

Our deposit guide and payment structure guide explain what to take into those discussions.

Get advice on the property and agreement

Have your solicitor review the title, restrictions and contract. Ask about conditions, responsibilities and completion requirements.

Check the written inclusions and exclusions for the actual home. If you have your own land, ask which investigations are needed before the design and price can be settled.

Know which decisions are yours

Find out what choices are available and when they need to be made. Get the price and timing of any upgrades agreed before approving them.

Our House + Land personalisation guide gives you a starting point.

Plan for moving in

Confirm the completion documents, final payments and handover arrangements before booking the move. Keep the care and warranty information together for later.

Talk with your local Classic Builders team about your first home. We can explain the options you are considering and help you understand the next step.