Buying is easier to manage when you know which decisions come next. Use this online guide to plan your search, prepare for viewings and understand what needs to happen before you make a commitment.
Talk to your lender or mortgage adviser about an affordable price range, deposit, repayments and the conditions of any approval. Budget for legal work, property reports, insurance, moving and the ongoing costs of ownership. Keep some room for maintenance and unexpected expenses.
Choose a lawyer early. The selling salesperson can explain the property and sale process, but acts for the seller; your own advisers help you assess the purchase and protect your interests.
Ask your lender and KiwiSaver provider about any first-home options relevant to you, including eligibility, documents and processing time. Do not assume that advertised support applies to every buyer or property. Settled’s first-home resource is a useful independent starting point. Arrange approvals and access to funds before committing to a deadline or auction.
Separate essentials from preferences: bedrooms, parking, accessible layout, outdoor space, maintenance, work and family routines. Compare ownership type and running costs as well as the asking price. Visit the area at different times to assess traffic, noise, sunlight and the routes you would actually use.
Browse current residential listings and check open-home times. Confirm the latest time with the named salesperson, particularly if a property is under offer or the campaign has changed.
A viewing is not a building inspection. Arrange appropriate independent checks and ask permission before testing fittings or entering restricted areas. Settled’s open-home checklist can help you prepare.
Ask your lawyer to review the record of title, ownership arrangements, easements and relevant contract documents. Consider a LIM, council property file and independent building report. They answer different questions; a supplied report is not automatically a substitute for advice you can rely on.
In Christchurch, investigate the particular property’s natural-hazard information, earthquake damage and repair history, relevant claims, consents and completion records. Check insurance availability and any lending requirements before you become unconditional. Ask for the supporting documents rather than assuming that a repair or alteration has been approved.
Use Settled’s property-research guidance and the Christchurch City Council as starting points. Get the professional help appropriate to the issue and address.
Check the advertised method, document requirements and closing time with the salesperson. For an asking-price or negotiation sale, discuss your proposed price, deposit, conditions and settlement with your lawyer before signing. Tender and deadline offers also need preparation; ask whether the property can sell before the advertised date.
A signed agreement can create binding obligations. Make sure any conditions you need are drafted appropriately and understand their deadlines. If there are competing offers, ask the salesperson to explain the multi-offer process. You can decide what you are comfortable offering without assuming you must exceed your budget.
For auctions, complete finance, legal, building and other necessary checks beforehand. Read our auction preparation guide and confirm any agreed variations before bidding. An auction purchase is unconditional when the hammer falls.
Read Settled’s agreement guidance with your lawyer before you commit.
Track the conditions and dates with your advisers, arrange insurance and funds as required, and book the pre-settlement inspection. Check the property’s condition and included chattels against the agreement. Raise any problem with your lawyer promptly, rather than leaving it until you collect the keys.
Your lawyer manages the legal settlement. Plan movers, utilities and key collection around confirmation that settlement has actually occurred. Settled’s settlement checklist explains useful preparations.
Contact the named salesperson on a listing for its current information, viewing options and sale process, or ask Ray White Addington to help you find the right contact. You can return to this guide whenever you need the next step. If you are also selling, read our online selling guide.