Success Stories
Meet real first home buyers who made it happen. From Wellington to Christchurch, single buyers to families, discover how they overcame challenges and achieved their dream.
Sarah & Tom
Teacher & Software Developer
We thought we'd be renting forever. Three years of discipline and we're now homeowners. It was worth every sacrifice.
BBefore
Renting in the city, dreaming of owning but feeling overwhelmed by the process
AAfter
Living in their own home in Johnsonville, building equity and planning renovations
Their Journey
Decided to buy, started serious saving
Jan 2021
Got pre-approved for $650k mortgage
Jul 2022
Started attending open homes every weekend
Mar 2023
Won bid at auction for Johnsonville townhouse
Jun 2023
Settlement day - got the keys!
Aug 2023
⚠Challenges Faced
- •Finding a property within budget in Wellington's competitive market
- •Saving while paying high rent ($550/week)
- •Navigating the mortgage pre-approval process
- •Missing out on two properties at auction
✓Strategies Used
- Automated savings - 30% of income straight to deposit fund
- Both contributed 4% to KiwiSaver for maximum employer match
- Lived with parents for 6 months to boost savings
- Used First Home Grant ($10,000) to top up deposit
Tips for Others
- 1Start with a clear budget and stick to it - we knew exactly what we could afford
- 2Get pre-approved before you start looking seriously
- 3Don't get discouraged by missing out - the right property will come
- 4Use a mortgage broker - they made the process so much easier
- 5Factor in all costs - lawyer, inspection, moving - not just the deposit
James
Civil Engineer
As a single guy, I thought home ownership was years away. Turns out, with discipline and the right strategy, it's absolutely possible.
BBefore
Living in a flat, wanting to stop renting but unsure if single income was enough
AAfter
Owns a renovated villa in Addington, has a flatmate helping with mortgage
Their Journey
Started KiwiSaver for First Home Withdrawal
Mar 2020
Reached $70k combined deposit
Nov 2022
Found the Addington villa
Feb 2023
Negotiated private sale (avoided auction)
Apr 2023
Moved in and started renovations
May 2023
⚠Challenges Faced
- •Buying alone on a single income felt daunting
- •Christchurch market was recovering post-earthquake
- •Many properties needed earthquake strengthening
- •Competing with investors at auctions
✓Strategies Used
- Increased KiwiSaver contribution to 8%
- Took on extra project work for additional income
- Looked at up-and-coming suburbs like Addington
- Considered properties needing minor renovations
Tips for Others
- 1Don't assume you need a partner to buy - single buyers can do this too
- 2Consider properties that need work - you build equity faster
- 3Get a flatmate to help with mortgage payments
- 4Research the area thoroughly - I looked at earthquake reports carefully
- 5Be patient - it took me 4 years but I got there
The Patel Family
Accountant & Nurse
Seeing our kids playing in their own backyard makes all those years of saving worth it. We're building generational wealth for them.
BBefore
Renting with two young children, wanted stability and space for the family
AAfter
Living in their dream home in Flat Bush, kids have their own rooms and backyard
Their Journey
Started serious saving after second child born
Jan 2019
Pre-approved for $900k mortgage
Jun 2021
Signed contract on new build in Flat Bush
Sep 2022
House completed, settlement day
Mar 2023
Moved in with the kids
Apr 2023
⚠Challenges Faced
- •Needed 4 bedrooms which pushed budget higher
- •Auckland prices seemed impossible at first
- •Had to balance saving with family expenses
- •COVID-19 delayed their plans by a year
✓Strategies Used
- Both maximized KiwiSaver contributions
- Received $20k First Home Grant (new build)
- Parents gifted $30k towards deposit
- Looked at new developments in Flat Bush for value
Tips for Others
- 1New builds can be more affordable with the First Home Grant boost
- 2Don't be afraid to accept help from family if offered
- 3Factor in future needs - we bought with room to grow
- 4New builds mean less maintenance costs initially
- 5Get a good lawyer to review the build contract
Emma
Marketing Coordinator
Everyone told me I was too young to buy. Now I'm 25 with a mortgage and my friends are still renting. Best decision ever.
BBefore
Living at home with parents, wanted independence but Auckland was out of reach
AAfter
Owns a modern unit in Hamilton East, commuting to Auckland 2 days a week
Their Journey
Decided to buy in Hamilton instead of Auckland
Jan 2022
Got pre-approved for $450k
Jun 2023
Found unit in Hamilton East
Aug 2023
Made offer (accepted first go!)
Sep 2023
Moved into her own place at 25
Oct 2023
⚠Challenges Faced
- •Auckland prices were completely out of reach
- •Young age meant lower income and savings
- •Friends thought she was crazy to buy so young
- •Had to convince employer to allow remote work
✓Strategies Used
- Looked outside Auckland - Hamilton offered great value
- Lived at home rent-free for 2 years
- Saved 50% of income during that time
- Negotiated hybrid work arrangement with employer
Tips for Others
- 1Don't limit yourself to Auckland - other cities offer great value
- 2Living at home for a bit longer can fast-track your deposit
- 3Remote work opens up so many possibilities
- 4Starting young means more time for capital growth
- 5Don't let others' opinions stop you
Mike & Lisa
Sales Manager & Graphic Designer
We get to enjoy Auckland lifestyle while our Tauranga property builds wealth. Rentvesting was the perfect strategy for us.
BBefore
Renting in Auckland CBD, loved the lifestyle but wanted to get on property ladder
AAfter
Still renting in Auckland CBD, own investment property in Tauranga with positive cashflow
Their Journey
Discovered rentvesting concept
Mar 2020
Started researching investment locations
Dec 2021
Visited Tauranga, decided on location
May 2022
Purchased investment property
Aug 2022
Tenants moved in, positive cashflow achieved
Oct 2022
⚠Challenges Faced
- •Couldn't afford to buy where they wanted to live (Auckland CBD)
- •Rentvesting strategy was unfamiliar to their families
- •Managing a property from a distance
- •Finding the right investment location
✓Strategies Used
- Researched rentvesting strategy extensively
- Chose Tauranga for growth potential and rental yield
- Used property manager to handle day-to-day
- Rent covers mortgage + expenses with positive cashflow
Tips for Others
- 1Rentvesting lets you live where you want while building wealth
- 2Research locations thoroughly - we visited Tauranga 5 times
- 3Good property managers are worth their weight in gold
- 4Don't listen to people who say renting is throwing money away
- 5Cashflow positive means the property pays for itself
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