Your first home starts here

You shouldn’t need to become a mortgage expert to buy a home.

We’ll explain your options, handle the application and help you understand what happens next. You’ll have someone to call when questions pop up, with honest advice and no judgement.

Good advice. Real people. No pressure.

Buying your first home? Let’s make a plan.

Your first home comes with plenty of questions. How much deposit do you need? Can you use your KiwiSaver? And should you talk to a mortgage broker before falling in love with a house?

At JKFL, we help first home buyers understand their options, sort their finance and feel confident about what comes next.

Based in Palmerston North, we support buyers across Manawatū and throughout New Zealand. Whether you’re ready to start house hunting or still building your deposit, we’d love to help.

Find out what's possible

How much deposit do I need for my first home?

You don’t always need a 20% deposit. While a bigger deposit can give you more options, you may be able to buy sooner than you think.

With a 20% deposit, you’ll generally have a wider choice of lenders and access to better interest rate options.

With a 10% deposit, low-deposit lending may be available, depending on your finances, the property and the lender’s criteria.

With a 5% deposit, eligible buyers may be able to purchase through a Kāinga Ora First Home Loan with a participating lender.

To put that into perspective, for a $600,000 home, that’s a deposit of $120,000 at 20%, $60,000 at 10%, or $30,000 at 5%.

Your deposit could come from savings, an eligible KiwiSaver withdrawal, a family gift or a combination of these. You’ll also need to allow for buying costs, such as legal fees and property checks.

A smaller deposit can mean additional lending costs or higher interest rates. We’ll help you weigh up buying sooner against saving for longer—and work out what suits you.

How much can I borrow?

Your deposit is one part of the picture. The bank also needs to be comfortable that you can afford the repayments.

We’ll help you work through:

  • Your income and how consistently you earn it.

  • Everyday spending and financial commitments.

  • Existing debts and credit card limits.

  • Your deposit and any family support.

  • The type of property you want to buy.

Just as importantly, we’ll talk about what repayments would feel comfortable for you. Owning a home should still leave room for living in it.

You’ll come away with a clearer idea of your buying budget, likely repayments and anything worth working on before applying.

Can I use my KiwiSaver to buy my first home?

If you’ve been a KiwiSaver member for at least three years, you may be eligible to withdraw most of your savings towards your first home.

You must generally intend to live in the property, leave at least $1,000 in your KiwiSaver account and meet the withdrawal requirements. Money transferred from an Australian complying superannuation scheme cannot be withdrawn for this purpose.

Check with your KiwiSaver provider early to confirm your eligibility and how much is available. Your solicitor will help coordinate the withdrawal for your purchase.

A useful tip: Your KiwiSaver balance and the amount you can withdraw may be different, so get confirmation before setting your budget.

From “Where do I start?” to “We got the keys!”

1. Let’s chat

We’ll talk about your goals, deposit and finances, then help you understand what’s possible.

2. Get your application ready

We’ll give you a clear document checklist, recommend a suitable lender from those we work with and prepare your application.

3. Arrange pre-approval

Understand your potential buying budget before making offers. Pre-approval has conditions and an expiry date, and the lender still needs to approve your chosen property.

4. Find your home

Contact us and your solicitor before signing an offer. Together, we’ll help you understand the finance requirements, property checks and appropriate conditions.

5. Sort the details

We’ll help meet the lender’s requirements and explain your mortgage structure, interest rate options and repayments. Your solicitor will guide you through becoming unconditional and the legal steps.

6. Get the keys

We’ll coordinate the lending side as settlement approaches. You’ll arrange property insurance, complete your legal requirements—and start negotiating who’s carrying the fridge.

A few more questions, answered.

  • What costs should I budget for besides my deposit?

    Allow for legal fees, a building inspection, LIM and other property checks, moving costs and a valuation if your lender requires one. Once you own the home, you’ll also need to budget for rates, insurance and maintenance.

  • Can my family help with my deposit?

    Yes, family support may be an option. The lender needs to understand whether the money is a gift or must be repaid. We’ll explain the lending requirements and recommend legal advice for everyone involved. BNZ and Westpac also offer equity lending that works well for some.

  • What help is available for first home buyers?

    Eligible buyers may qualify for a Kāinga Ora First Home Loan with a 5% deposit, subject to scheme and lender criteria. KiwiSaver first-home withdrawals may also be available. The First Home Grant has been discontinued.

  • Can I buy if I have debt or I’m self-employed?

    Absolutely. Neither automatically rules you out. We’ll look at your circumstances, explain what evidence lenders need and identify any steps that could strengthen your application.

  • Can I buy at auction with pre-approval?

    Yes, however, auction purchases are generally unconditional, so speak to us and your solicitor well before bidding to confirm your finance and complete the necessary property checks.

  • What if I’m not ready yet?

    That’s a great reason to chat. We can help you understand your savings target and what to work on before applying.

Let’s turn “one day” into a plan

Still saving? Just browsing? Already picking out curtains?

Wherever you’re at, we’ll help you understand your next step.

Book Now

General information only. Lending is subject to approval, eligibility criteria and terms.