First-Home Buyer Coach
72% of Kiwis think owning a home is beyond them.
Most of them are closer than they realise.
You need a 20% deposit before a bank will talk to you.
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The 20% deposit isn’t the hard rule most people think it is.
Whatever the bank pre-approves you for is the limit.
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The bank’s pre-approval figure isn’t always the ceiling.
You’re years away from being in a position to buy.
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The timeline most buyers assume they’re looking at is often shorter than it needs to be.
The Mortgage Guy is a New Zealand mortgage broker who specialises in first homes. We look at your actual numbers, not rough estimates, and tell you plainly what’s possible, what’s not, and what would change things if it isn’t yet.
No vague pre-approval numbers. No form letters saying no. Just straight talk from a mortgage broker who works with first home buyers every day.
WHAT IS A FIRST HOME BUYER COACH?
Most people go to their bank first.
That’s usually where the confusion starts.
Banks assess you against their own criteria and tell you what they will or won’t lend. They don’t tell you what another bank might do, what Kainga Ora could offer, whether your KiwiSaver is in the right fund, or what you’d need to change to improve your position. They’re not built to.
A First Home Buyer Coach works differently. We sit alongside you through the whole process, not just the application. We look at your full picture: income, deposit, KiwiSaver timing and fund type, credit cards, debts, and what’s genuinely possible. Then we map a path.
As your mortgage broker, we approach lenders on your behalf. We know which banks suit which situations, how to structure your application, and how to find options your bank wouldn’t offer even if you asked.
Here’s how it works: We guide you through the process step by step so you know exactly what to do next. We’ll look at your situation, your income, your deposit, and map out what’s possible so you can move forward with confidence.
What you get is:
- A clear picture of your actual borrowing power, not a rough estimate
- KiwiSaver guidance: how much you can withdraw, when, and whether your fund is set up correctly
- Kainga Ora First Home Loan eligibility check, including whether the 5% deposit pathway applies to you
- Access to a panel of lenders, not just the one bank you walked into
- Support from first conversation through to settlement, including the things that can derail it at the end
- Straight answers, in plain English, at every step
The result?
You stop guessing and start moving. Many buyers who come to us early find pathways that shorten their timeline by a year or more.
Ashley is a qualified financial adviser. That means you’re getting regulated advice backed by professional accountability, not just someone running numbers on a comparison site.
WHO THIS IS FOR
This is for you if:
- You assumed you needed 20% and haven’t started yet
- You’ve been saving for years and still feel like you’re not close enough
- You have KiwiSaver but aren’t sure if you can use it, when, or how much
- Your bank said no and didn’t explain why
- You feel like the process is designed for people who already own property
- You want to walk into open homes knowing your real budget, not a rough guess
- You just want someone genuinely on your side who can tell you what to do next
You don’t need to have everything sorted before you reach out. Coming early is better. That’s exactly what the 15-minute assessment is for.
Four steps
from where you are now to a home you own.
01
Book a free
15-minute assessment
No forms, no commitment. Just a conversation. We find out where you’re at, check your KiwiSaver, deposit, and income position, and tell you what’s actually possible. Most people leave this call knowing more than they did going in.
02
We
map what’s
possible
We look at your full picture: income, deposit, KiwiSaver balance and fund type, debts, credit cards, and any Kainga Ora eligibility. We calculate your real borrowing capacity and, if there’s a gap, tell you exactly what to do and how long it will take.
03
We go to market as your mortgage broker
We approach lenders on your behalf across our full panel, not just your bank. We know which lenders are more flexible on low deposit applications, which suit your income type, and how to structure your application to give it the best possible chance.
04
We see it
through to
settlement
We stay alongside you through pre-approval, property search, offer, and settlement. We flag the things that can go wrong at the end, including KiwiSaver withdrawal timing, insurance conditions, and solicitor deadlines, so you’re not caught out.
Things most first home buyers find out too late
The rules are more complex than the bank lets on.
Here are the things we cover in almost every first home buyer conversation, because most people arrive not knowing any of them.
You may not need 20%
The 20% deposit requirement is a common assumption, not a rule. Banks can lend to buyers with 10% deposit, and the Kainga Ora First Home Loan allows eligible buyers to purchase with as little as 5%. There are costs involved in going in with less equity, and we’ll explain exactly what those are for your situation, but thousands of buyers delay unnecessarily because of a myth.
Your KiwiSaver fund may be working against you
Many young Kiwis set up KiwiSaver with a growth fund, which is right for retirement but creates real risk when the balance is your deposit. If markets drop in the months before you plan to withdraw, your deposit shrinks. You should be in a conservative fund two to three years before you plan to buy. We check this in every first conversation. Note: the HomeStart Grant was discontinued in May 2024 and will not be reinstated. If it was part of your plan, we need to work through the numbers with the current settings.
Unused credit card limits reduce what you can borrow
Banks count your total credit card limit, not just what you owe, when calculating borrowing capacity. A $10,000 limit you never use can quietly reduce your maximum loan by more than you’d expect. This is one of the first things we look at.
Insurance is now a hidden risk at the end of the process
In 2025-2026, NZ insurers have begun declining cover for properties in flood, erosion, and landslip zones. Because banks require insurance before releasing funds, a buyer can go unconditional on a property and then discover they cannot get it insured and therefore cannot settle. This is not covered in LIM reports and is not yet standard in most solicitors’ advice. We flag it before you make an offer.
Based in Christchurch, proudly helping Kiwis become homeowners across New Zealand.
From Cape Reinga to Bluff
What Our Homeowners Have To Say
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I use a mortgage broker or go directly to my bank?
A mortgage broker compares multiple banks and lenders, negotiates on your behalf, and handles the back-and-forth, all at no cost to you since lenders pay our commission. Going directly to a bank limits you to that bank’s products and policies. A broker gives you access to many lenders including smaller banks and non-bank options. If one bank declines, we try others without you having to start again. For first home buyers, who are often non-standard in some way, the broker pathway consistently produces better outcomes.
What is the minimum deposit I need?
The standard threshold is 20%, but it is not a hard rule. Banks can lend with a 10% deposit for strong applications, and the Kainga Ora First Home Loan allows eligible buyers to purchase with 5%. Going in with less than 20% does carry an additional cost, either a low equity margin added to your interest rate or a one-off fee. We explain the real cost for your situation and help you decide whether to wait for a larger deposit or move now.
Can I use my KiwiSaver?
Yes, if you have been contributing for at least three years and the home will be your main residence. You can withdraw nearly your full balance, leaving $1,000 in the fund. The key things to check are whether you are in the right fund type (growth funds carry risk if you are withdrawing soon), and whether your membership is continuous. Note that the KiwiSaver HomeStart Grant was discontinued in May 2024 and is no longer available. We go through your KiwiSaver position in detail during the assessment.
How long does the process take?
Most home loans take two to six weeks from application to settlement. Pre-approval can come through in one to ten days for straightforward applications. Once you have a property under offer, final approval and settlement typically follows two to four weeks later. We coordinate each step and keep you updated so nothing catches you off guard.
What if the bank says no?
One lender’s no is not the final answer. Different banks assess applications differently, and some are more flexible than others on deposit size, income type, or credit history. We work across a panel of lenders and know which ones suit which situations. In many cases a decline from one bank leads to an approval elsewhere, sometimes for a higher amount. Book an assessment and we will tell you plainly where things stand and what your options are.
Our Financial Services
Your mortgage success is just the beginning.
As your financial advisers, we’re here for every lending decision you’ll face.
First-Home Buyer Coaching
Stop feeling lost in the process. We’ll transform your confusion into confidence with clear guidance from pre-approval through to settlement day. Together we’ll check your KiwiSaver eligibility, structure your deposit mix, and map out every step so you walk into open homes knowing exactly what you can afford and how to win.
You’ll go from “Is this even possible?” to “Here are my keys” with someone genuinely fighting for your success every step of the way.
Investment Property Lending Support
We help structure lending for property purchases beyond your first home. This includes understanding borrowing capacity, equity use, deposit structures, and how different loan setups can impact cash flow and future flexibility.
Our role is to support the lending side of your investment journey, so your finance is set up correctly and sustainably from day one.
Mortgage Warrant of Fitness
Think of it as an annual health check, but for your finances. Just like you’d service your car to keep it running smoothly, your mortgage needs regular attention to make sure it’s still the best fit for you.
A quick review can uncover savings or smarter strategies you might otherwise miss. It’s about keeping your mortgage in top condition, so you can focus on building your future, not stressing over repayments.
Asset Loans
From cars and boats to caravans, motorcycles, and work vehicles, asset finance helps you enjoy the things that make life easier and more rewarding. We’ll help you secure tailored lending with flexible terms, fair rates, and a smooth approval process that fits your lifestyle or business needs. So whether it’s hitting the road, the water, or the next job site, you can move forward with confidence knowing your finance is working for you.
Self-Employment Lending
Traditional banks often struggle to understand self-employed income, making it harder for business owners, contractors, and freelancers to secure finance. We partner with lenders who specialise in self-employed clients, helping present your income in the best light and structuring solutions that reflect the reality of running a business, so your hard work opens doors to homeownership, not roadblocks.
Construction & Business Loans
From building your dream home to tackling major renovations or fueling your business growth, the right loan structure makes all the difference. We help you secure tailored finance solutions that provide the flexibility, staged funding, and competitive rates you need. So whether it’s a new build, an upgrade, or expanding your business, you’ve got the support to bring your plans to life.
Refinancing & Top-Ups
Whether you’re looking to secure a better rate, reduce repayments, or unlock equity for renovations, investments, or life’s big opportunities, refinancing and top-ups can give you more flexibility and control. We’ll review your current loan, compare options across lenders, and structure a solution that supports your goals. So your mortgage works harder for you, not the other way around.
Ready to Turn your Dream into Reality?
Stop wondering “what if” and start planning “when.”
Get the straight answers you need to move forward with confidence.
Book Your Complimentary 15-Minute Assessment.
Find out what you can actually borrow.
No paperwork, no pressure, just clarity.