FAQs

The first steps to buying a new home can include: 

Determining you budget: this involves assessing your financial situation including your income, expenses, and savings, to determine how much you can afford to spend on a new home. 

Researching the market: this involves researching different areas and properties to get an idea of what’s available in your budget. 

Getting pre-approved for a home loan: This involves speaking with a lender to get pre-approved for a home loan which can provide you with a clear indication of your budget. 

Engaging with the professions: this involves engaging with our agents, a lawyer, and a mortgage broker to help you navigate the buying process and ensure that you are making an informed decision. 

When choosing a property to purchase, there are several things to consider, such as the location, size, and condition of the property. It’s also important to consider your budget and any ongoing costs associated with the property. You can talk to one of our agents to help you make an informed decision on which property is right for you. 

A pre-approval is an initial assessment from a lender that indicates how much you may be able to borrow for a home loan. This can be helpful when you’re searching for a property, as it provides clear indication of your budget and can help you to negotiate with sellers. A pre-approval is important because it can also help you to avoid disappointment if you’re unable to secure a loan for the amount you need. 

The amount you can borrow for a home loan will depend on several factors, including your income, expenses, and credit history. It is important to speak with a mortgage broker or lender to determine how much you can afford to borrow and what type of home loan is best for your financial situation. 

Yes, in many cases you can use your KiwiSaver savings toward the purchase of a property. If you are a first home buyer, you may be eligible to withdraw your KiwiSaver funds for your deposit, provided you have been a KiwiSaver member for at least three years.

KiwiSaver withdrawals can take up to 15 working days to be processed, so it is important that your sale and purchase agreement allows enough time for the funds to be released before your deposit is due. Eligibility criteria apply, and conditions may vary depending on your situation, so it is recommended you confirm your options early in the process.

A First Home Loan is a lending option designed to help eligible first home buyers purchase a property with a lower deposit. In some cases, buyers may be able to purchase with as little as a 5 percent deposit.

These loans are underwritten by Kāinga Ora, which allows participating banks and lenders to accept lower deposits than they normally would. There are specific eligibility criteria around income caps, property price limits, and owner-occupier requirements, and not all buyers or properties will qualify.

A mortgage adviser or lender can help confirm whether a First Home Loan is suitable for your situation and guide you through the application process.

Yes. If you rent out a new build property in New Zealand, you may be able to claim certain expenses as deductions against your rental income, subject to current tax rules.

For new build investment properties, interest deductibility may be available for a defined period, which can help reduce taxable rental income. Other standard rental property expenses, such as rates, insurance, and ongoing maintenance, may also be deductible where applicable.

Tax treatment can vary depending on individual circumstances and may change over time. For personalised advice, we recommend speaking with a qualified accountant or reviewing guidance from Inland Revenue.

Homes delivered through FH Group are covered by a comprehensive warranty package for added peace of mind. This includes a 1-year defects and maintenance period, covering any remedial items that may arise after settlement, as well as a 10-year structural warranty provided under the Certified Builders Guarantee.

This warranty coverage is designed to protect your investment and ensure confidence in the quality and longevity of your home.

Quality control is managed through a structured build process with staged inspections carried out by experienced project managers at key points throughout construction. Each stage includes clear quality checks and defined hold points, with progress payments only approved once the required standards have been met.

This approach ensures workmanship, materials, and compliance are consistently monitored, helping deliver a high-quality finished home.

If any defects are identified, you can submit a warranty claims form to notify our team. Once received, we aim to acknowledge all claims as soon as possible and assess the issue promptly.

From there, we work with the relevant project managers and contractors to schedule repairs and resolve the matter in a timely and practical manner, keeping you informed throughout the process.

Yes. On selected FH Group developments, we offer a two-year rental guarantee for investors. This includes guaranteed rental income and professional property management, helping take the stress out of property investment.

In the unlikely event that a suitable tenant is not secured, the rental guarantee covers the rental income during the vacancy period, providing added peace of mind. Availability and terms may vary by development. You can read more about our rental guarantee on the relevant project page or speak with our team for full details.

If you are unsure whether an issue falls under warranty, the first step is to check the contractor and supplier list provided in your handover pack, as some items may be covered directly by individual suppliers.

If you are still unsure or need further guidance, please contact our team and we will help point you in the right direction.