Find out where you stand on your first home in 90 seconds
Six quick taps to see your fastest route. Then talk it through with a home loan specialist.
- Home loan specialistsHome loan specialists who look at your numbers
- Paid by the lenderThe lender usually pays the home loan specialist
- No credit checkNo obligation, and no credit check to enquire
We pass your check on once, to one home loan specialist.
No obligation, no credit check to enquire. Online Mortgages is a referral service, not a lender. How we are paid. Privacy.
- Home loan specialistsGeneral information only, not advice. We're a referral service and may receive a commission.
- Paid by the lenderHome loan specialists are usually paid a commission by the lender. They explain how they are paid, and any fees, before you decide anything.
- No obligationYou can enquire without a credit check, and you can stop at any time.
- A quick replyA home loan specialist gets in touch, usually within one working day.
What happens after you tap send
Three short steps. You stay in charge the whole way.
A small deposit is normal for a first home
You are not behind. Most first-home buyers are working it out as they go, and there are routes built for exactly that.
- 50.5%
of first-home loans approved in August 2026 had a deposit under 20%.
Reserve Bank data via interest.co.nz - 5%
is the minimum deposit for a Kāinga Ora First Home Loan, through participating lenders. Income caps as at October 2026: $95,000 or less for one buyer without dependants, $150,000 or less for one buyer with dependants or for two or more buyers combined, before tax. Check the latest with Kāinga Ora or your lender.
Kāinga Ora - $46k
was the average KiwiSaver first-home withdrawal in the year to 30 June 2026 (about $45,600).
Inland Revenue figures, our calculation
Facts as at 5 October 2026. General information, not a recommendation for any one person.
Questions first home buyers ask
Short, plain answers, with figures as at 5 October 2026. A home loan specialist can go deeper on anything here.
How much deposit do I need for my first home?
A standard deposit is 20%, which is $144,000 on the $720,000 median first-home price. Plenty of people buy with less: 50.5% of first-home loans approved in August 2026 had under a 20% deposit.
Lenders can also treat new builds differently, so the number depends on the home and the loan. A home loan specialist can show which options may suit your numbers. See how much deposit you need.
Does Kāinga Ora still have a 5% First Home Loan?
Yes. The Kāinga Ora First Home Loan lets eligible buyers borrow with a 5% deposit, which is $36,000 on the median price. Kāinga Ora's income caps, as at October 2026, are $95,000 or less for one buyer without dependants, $150,000 or less for one buyer with dependants, and $150,000 or less combined for two or more buyers, before tax over the last 12 months. Check the latest with Kāinga Ora or your lender.
Lenders add their own checks. Some lenders charge a low equity fee or premium. Ask the lender what applies to you. Rules change, so confirm the current ones.
Is there still a First Home Grant?
No. New applications for the First Home Grant closed on 22 May 2024. It still gets searched a lot, which is why it feels like it should exist.
The KiwiSaver first-home withdrawal and the First Home Loan are still around, and your readiness check will point you at the one that may fit.
How much KiwiSaver can I use for a first home?
Inland Revenue says you need at least 3 years in KiwiSaver, and $1,000 must stay in your account. The average first-home withdrawal in the year to 30 June 2026 was about $45,600, but yours depends on your balance.
Allow 10 to 15 working days for your provider to pay it out, so start early. See how much KiwiSaver you can withdraw.
What if my bank has already said no?
A no from one bank is one lender's answer on one day. Lenders weigh income, deposit, debts and the property differently, so it is worth a second look.
Tell the home loan specialist what happened. They can look at your numbers with you, and there is no credit check to enquire.
Does a student loan or contract income stop me getting a home loan?
Not by itself. A student loan is one of your regular commitments, and lenders include it when they look at your budget. Contract and self-employed income is assessed too.
A home loan specialist can explain how lenders look at your situation before you apply anywhere.
Do I have to pay for a home loan specialist?
Home loan specialists are usually paid a commission by the lender.
They will confirm how they are paid before you go ahead, and you are never obliged to. Read how we are paid.
Ready to see your fastest route?
Six taps, about 90 seconds, and no credit check.