Purchasing a Property
The 9 Pillars of a Successful Property Purchase
We guide you through every step of your purchase so you're protected, informed, and confident about every document you sign.
A Clear Path From Offer to Keys
Buying a property is one of the biggest financial decisions you'll make. Our 9-pillar framework ensures nothing is missed.
Whether it's your first home, an investment property, or a retirement village apartment, the process involves agreements, conditions, finance, title searches, council reports, and a settlement — all of which need to be handled correctly and on time.
We take care of the legal work so you can focus on the exciting part — finding the right property and moving in. Our team keeps you informed at every step in plain English, so you always know what's happening and what comes next.
The 9 pillars below walk you through the entire purchase process, from protecting your investment before you sign, through to settlement day and beyond.
Want the complete picture before you start? Read our full Guide to Buying a Property — ownership types, builder's reports and leaky-building risks, the agreement conditions that protect you, and a step-by-step path from homework to moving in.
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Standard conveyancing tells you what the documents say. These analyses tell you what the findings mean for your decision — in writing, while you can still act on them: negotiate the price, impose or confirm conditions, or walk away. Your builder reports the defects; we translate them into decisions. Which findings justify a price reduction, a repair requirement or walking away; what to put to the vendor in writing; and how the findings interact with your agreement's conditions — before you confirm them. We analyse the council's Land Information Memorandum: building consents and code compliance certificates, unconsented works, weathertightness and natural hazard notations, zoning and planned council works — and what each finding means for your purchase, your lender and your conditions. For investors: the builder's report, LIM, leases, and the agent's information pack analysed together through an investment lens — so the decision is made on the property's real condition and investment potential, not the marketing. Every fee above is our discounted fee, including GST, which applies when you pay within 7 days of invoice. Each analysis is delivered in writing before your conditions are confirmed, so the findings can still shape the deal.Beyond the Conveyancing — Our Fixed-Fee Purchase Analyses
Builder's Report Analysis — $362.25
LIM Report Analysis — $362.25
Investment Property Purchase Analysis — $724.50
The 9 Pillars of a Successful Purchase
Click each pillar to learn more about that stage of the process.
Phase 1 — Protect Your Investment
Before you sign any agreement, inspect the property thoroughly. Check the dishwasher, turn on all the lights, test the hot water cylinder, and look for any signs of damage or wear. Bring a torch and take your time — you don't want surprises after you've committed.
If you're buying at auction, this inspection is even more important because the agreement becomes unconditional the moment the hammer falls.
Read our full pre-offer checklist — title, LIM, council file, hazards →
A good agreement includes conditions that protect you. These are your checkpoints — they give you time to investigate the property and back out if something isn't right. Key conditions to consider include:
- LIM report and Council file — to check for hazards, consents, and restrictions on the property
- Builder's report — to identify structural issues or maintenance problems. Standard reports have real limitations, and for some properties invasive testing is essential — read our guide to builder's reports and leaky-building risks →
- Valuer's report — to confirm the property is worth what you're paying
- Toxicology report — to check for methamphetamine contamination
- Finance condition — to give you time to confirm your loan approval
- Due diligence clause — we recommend at least 12 working days to complete your investigations
An agreement without conditions is like a safety net with holes. We'll make sure yours is watertight. Learn why the agreement is your rule book →
If you're working with an agent, they'll prepare the agreement. Before you sign, have your lawyer review it to make sure your interests are protected and the conditions are appropriate for your situation.
Don't sign unless you're confident this is the property you want — and that the agreement protects you properly. See the conditions and special clauses we recommend →
Phase 2 — Prepare for Your Purchase
Explore all your options to find the loan that works best for your situation and budget. Don't just accept the first offer — you can negotiate with lenders to get better terms, a lower interest rate, or more flexible conditions.
If you're not sure where to start, a mortgage broker can help you compare what's available across different banks and lenders.
If you're a first home buyer (or in a similar financial position), two forms of government-backed support may give your purchasing power a significant boost. (The former First Home Grant was discontinued on 22 May 2024, and new applications are no longer accepted.)
KiwiSaver first home withdrawal: If you've been a KiwiSaver member for at least three years, you may be able to withdraw most of your savings towards your purchase, as long as you leave at least $1,000 in your account. Contact your KiwiSaver provider to apply — allow at least 10 working days for processing. Check whether your provider allows the withdrawal to be used for the deposit, and whether they allow withdrawals when the purchaser is a trust.
First Home Loan: A First Home Loan lets you buy a home with a 5% deposit instead of the usual 20%. It is underwritten by Kāinga Ora and offered through selected banks and lenders. To qualify you must:
- Be 18 or older, and a New Zealand citizen, permanent resident, or resident visa holder living in New Zealand
- Meet the income caps for the past 12 months — $95,000 or less for a single buyer without dependants; $150,000 or less for a single buyer with one or more dependants; $150,000 or less combined for two or more buyers
- Plan to live in the home as your main residence for at least 6 months
- Pay a Lender's Mortgage Insurance premium of 1.2% of the loan
Check your eligibility with Kāinga Ora at kaingaora.govt.nz.
Family loans: If family members are helping with your purchase, make sure any loans are properly documented. This protects everyone involved and satisfies Anti-Money Laundering requirements.
Before making an offer, get your paperwork sorted. You'll need:
- Photo ID (passport or driver licence)
- Proof of address (recent utility bill or bank statement)
- Evidence of the source of your funds (to satisfy Anti-Money Laundering requirements)
- Finance pre-approval (if applicable)
Having everything organised and ready to go means you can move quickly when you find the right property.
Phase 3 — Move In
At least one business day before settlement, do a final walkthrough of the property. Check that it hasn't been damaged since you signed the agreement and that everything is still working — dishwasher, lights, hot water, appliances. This is your last chance to raise any issues before the purchase is complete.
This is the moment it all comes together. We attend to all settlement requirements electronically — transferring the title, registering the mortgage, and settling the funds. You don't need to be present for this part, but you'll want to be ready to collect the keys once we confirm settlement is complete.
Congratulations — you're officially a homeowner! All the planning, paperwork, and persistence has paid off. Time to move in, make the place your own, and enjoy the next chapter.
Remember to update your address with your bank, insurance company, employer, and any subscription services. And if you don't already have an estate plan in place, now is a perfect time to sort that out too — ask us about our 50% property client discount on estate planning documents.
🎉 Property Client Exclusive — 50% Off Estate Planning
As a property purchase client, you qualify for 50% off all will-based estate planning documents when you sign them at the same time as your property documents.
Normal Will + Both EPAs: Individual $550 (normally $1,100) | Couple $1,000 (normally $2,000)