Buying a home is one of the biggest financial decisions you'll ever make — and having a pre-purchase building report can be the difference between a wise investment and an unexpected money pit. Here are six detailed reasons why this report is an essential step in your property-buying journey:

1. Uncover Hidden Issues Before It's Too Late
At first glance, a property might look like your dream home — freshly painted walls, well-kept landscaping, modern fixtures. But beneath the surface, there could be serious problems that aren't visible during a casual walk-through.
A qualified building inspector can uncover structural damage, termite activity, poor drainage, faulty electrical wiring, plumbing leaks, mold, and other moisture-related issues that could jeopardize your investment. Catching these early can save you from expensive surprises down the track.

2. Avoid Unexpected & Costly Repairs
No one wants to move into their new home only to discover a leaking roof or a sinking foundation. A pre-purchase building report gives you a clear picture of any repairs that may be needed — now or in the near future.
With this insight, you can make a well-informed decision and factor repair costs into your budget, potentially saving thousands of dollars and a whole lot of stress.

3. Negotiate Better Terms & Price
Knowledge is power when it comes to negotiation.
If the building report identifies problems — big or small — you can use this as leverage to negotiate a better price, request that repairs be made before settlement, or ask for conditions to be added to the contract.
This puts you in a stronger position to strike a fair deal and ensures you’re not overpaying for a property that needs more work than expected.

4. Ensure the Property Meets Building Codes & Standards
Not all renovations or additions are created equal. Some might look good but could be illegal or non-compliant with local building regulations.
A building inspection will identify any work that doesn’t meet code, hasn’t been approved by the relevant authorities, or poses a safety risk. This protects you from future legal hassles, fines, or the cost of having to fix or remove non-compliant structures.

5. Plan for Future Maintenance
Even if the property is structurally sound, it will still need maintenance over time — especially if it’s an older home.
A building report doesn’t just highlight current issues, it can also flag upcoming maintenance concerns like aging roofing materials, deteriorating paint, minor cracks, or outdated plumbing.
Knowing this in advance helps you prepare a realistic long-term maintenance plan and budget accordingly.

6. Gain Confidence and Peace of Mind
There’s already enough stress involved in purchasing a home — don’t let uncertainty about its condition be one of them.
A pre-purchase building report provides clarity, transparency, and confidence that you’re making a smart, safe investment. With all the facts on the table, you can proceed with greater peace of mind and focus on the excitement of owning your new home.

Call Savvy Houz Inspection at 021 143 2995
​t. With all the facts on the table, you can proceed with greater peace of mind and focus on the excitement 

What is asbestos?
Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral made up of many small fibres. These fibres are very strong and are highly resistant to heat, fire, chemicals and wear.

​
Past uses of asbestosIn the past, the special properties of asbestos made it popular for:
asbestos-cement sheet cladding, roofing and drainage pipes
backing material for floor tiles and vinyl sheets
insulation board for thermal protection (eg, around fire places)
textured ceilings and sprayed-on wall surfaces
lagging for insulation around pipes, heaters and hot water cylinders
vehicle brakes and clutches
textiles
spouting and guttering components.
Asbestos was also used in household items, such as:
oven gloves
ironing board pads
simmer mats for stoves
fire blankets.
Asbestos was mainly imported and used before the 1980s. Once the health risks of asbestos were known, its use was gradually stopped, and other materials replaced it. However, products and appliances with asbestos content may still be around, particularly in homes built before 1984.
Kinds of asbestosThe most common types of asbestos fibre you are likely to find are:
chrysotile (white)
amosite (brown)
crocidolite (blue).
The colour differences are very slight and laboratory analysis is needed to identify different types of asbestos fibre.
It is now illegal to import these three types of asbestos in their raw fibrous states and any manufactured items that contain asbestos.

https://preciseconsulting.co.nz/contact/christchurch-branch/

Call today 021 143 2995

From January 2025 all Pre-purchase & Pre-sale house inspection services at Savvy House Inspections will include the EQC Scope of Works - reviewed if necessary at no extra cost (Normally $195incl gst per EQC claim number) This is great news and a huge saving for the Savvy home buyer! Don't miss out book your inspection today!

The benefits of having your properties EQC Scope of Works Reviewed?
1: Verify the Quality of Repairs - Ensure that all EQC repairs have been completed to a high standard, with no substandard or botched work on the property.
2: Identify Incomplete Work - Confirm that all necessary earthquake-related repairs have been thoroughly addressed, leaving no damage overlooked.
3: Maximise Your Entitlements - Gain clarity about your rights and ensure you receive the full compensation you're entitled to from EQC.
4: Enjoy Peace of Mind - Rest assured that you’re not taking on a property with hidden, missed, or poorly repaired earthquake damage.

Call Us first! +64 21 143 2995

With summer taking its own holiday today for a lot of the country, we could hear the whir of bathroom heaters starting up this chilly morning.
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But the events of last week served as a reminder to recheck your bathroom heater.
In the space of 24 hours crews in Christchurch attended two separate house fires involving Serene bathroom heaters. This follows a spate of similar fires involving Serene bathroom heaters last year.
Work-safe have issued a number of notices in relation to safety concerns with Serene bathroom heaters which is linked below.
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If you have a Serene bathroom heater in your home:
• Check if your heater is a Serene heater with the model number S2068.
• If you have this heater, do not use it! Serene S2068 heaters are unsafe. Testing has found these heaters are non-compliant with safety standards. A series of fires and overheating incidents are associated with these heaters.

• If it is installed in your property, get an electrical worker to make it safe by isolating it from the electrical supply, or contact your landlord to arrange this, and they can dispose of it safely.
• The model number is located on a sticker on the top side of the heater. This can be difficult to read. A good tip to view the model number is to use your phone camera in selfie mode to view and take a photo of the label.

• There is a significant risk of people being seriously harmed or property being damaged through use of these heaters.

• If your heater is a Serene model S207T or S2069, Energy Safety considers there is a low risk from continued use. However, if you observe an unusual smell or noise from the heater, do not use it and contact an electrical worker to check it over.

If you have any bathroom heater it is important to give it a vacuum from time to time to remove dust buildup. Bathroom heaters should not be left running when the bathroom is not in use.
​
https://www.worksafe.govt.nz/.../further-action-on.../...

​Call us today: +64211432995 - [email protected]

Dear Dean
We are so thrilled, that we couldn't wait until the 15th November to announce that savvyhouz has been awarded the 2024 Winners Award for:



Most Trusted

• Building Inspection Company in Christchurch 
• Runner up Most Trusted Business in Christchurch
• Construction/Trades & Engineering Company


• This year has been our biggest yet, with more than 2,500 eligible businesses across New Zealand and nearly 10,000 reviews and comments from the public. It's been an incredible turnout, showcasing a highly engaged community.

Our award results are entirely unbiased, based purely on the number of verified votes received over the past 12 months. Only qualified, verified, and active businesses participated, making this achievement even more special.

Next Steps:

1. Celebrate with Your Team: Share this great news with your staff and take a well-deserved moment to enjoy this accomplishment.
2. Download the official 2024 Most Trusted Winner's logo for use in your branding and marketing.
3.  If you've won in prior years (either 2 or 4 years in a row), you can download our exclusive "3 Years Running" or "5 Years Running" winner logos to highlight your ongoing commitment to excellence.
4. Stay tuned for certificate & trophy ordering email. 
5. PROMOTE YOUR VICTORY! ​

The best building inspectors in Christchurch

Last updated: 10 October 2024
Choosing a building inspector in Christchurch can be tricky. There are dozens of options and most of them offer a fairly similar service, at a comparable price. 
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That said, buying property is a huge decision, not to be taken lightly, and a good building inspector can make all the difference.To make your search a little easier, we’ve rounded up five of the best reviewed building inspectors in Christchurch. 

1. Savvy Houz inspections
211 five star reviews on Google. 
Building reports from $590 incl GST*
Additional services: Building inspections, moisture screening, subfloor inspections via robot, thermal imaging, floor level reports and EQC claims. 

Savvy Houz Inspections have the best reviews of any building inspector in Christchurch. Customers praise their easy to follow, colour coded reports, thorough inspections, fast turn around times and reasonable prices. Many reviewers mentioned Dean’s over-and-above service and 24 hour turnaround.

What should a building inspector look at? When your building inspector visits the property they’ll look out for all visible issues, defects and possible maintenance requirements in the property. That could include signs of weathertightness problems, structural problems and much more. 

Once they’ve visited. they’ll provide a report, which will usually go room to room and comment on the condition of each space. Photos are usually provided with descriptions of any issues spotted and (sometimes) recommendations on how to fix the problems. Your report should cover:

• Inside the property: the floors, walls, ceilings, kitchen cabinetry, fixtures and fittings (most inspections do not test appliances).

 

• The condition of the roof guttering, and chimneys. 

 

• Any visible signs that indicate the condition of plumbing or drainage systems.

 

• Any visible signs that indicate the condition of electrical systems. 

 

• Exterior structures, any sheds, garages, sleepouts. Fences, paths, paved areas, decks and the property grounds. 

 

• Underfloor spaces: the foundations, timber framing, piles and ground moisture. 

 

• Ceiling space, insulation and timber framing. 

Every inspection is different, but some won’t cover outbuildings like sheds, fences around the property, or spaces such as the underfloor or ceiling if access is limited. Make sure you ask your inspector if you’d like them to look at any areas separate to the main property. 
If you need more detail it's worth asking the building inspector.

What to expectWhen you get in touch with your building inspector, they’ll indicate when they’re free and arrange for access. If you’re selling your home they’ll arrange a time with you, if you’re buying a home they’ll contact the real estate agent or vendor. If the property is tenanted they’ll organise with the property manager. They’ll perform the inspection on the arranged date, then soon after, they’ll provide a detailed report including photos and room-by-room descriptions of the property’s condition. 

After you’ve received the report it’s a great idea to call your inspector and have a chat about what they found. They may be able to provide very rough cost estimates to fix problems, explain parts of the report you don’t understand or give more information on any serious problems. ​

Ben Tutty
​Ben Tutty is a regular contributor for Trade Me and he's also contributed to Stuff and the Informed Investor. He's got 10+ years experience as both a journalist and website copywriter, specialising in real estate, finance and tourism. Ben lives in Wānaka with his partner and his best mate (Finnegan the whippet).

The leaky homes crisis is one of New Zealand’s largest and costliest man-made messes, with estimates that around 174,000 homes were affected. The total cost to fix all of our country’s leaky homes could be as high as $47 billion, according to the experts.
The crisis kicked off in the late 80s, early 90s but unfortunately for home buyers and investors it’s far from over, and these leaky homes are still out there being bought and sold. That means. if you don’t know what to look out for. you could end up with an unsafe property that might cost hundreds of thousands of dollars to fix. 
To make sure you don’t buy a soggy lemon check out our guide to spotting and buying (or avoiding) leaky homes in NZ. 

What are leaky homes? 
Leaky homes are residential properties that are not watertight. These were typically built between 1987 and early 2005 using certain materials and building practices that made homes more vulnerable to leaking, and more at risk of structural damage if a leak occurred.
Affected homes may be excessively damp and mouldy inside and even structurally unsound if the framing timber has rotted. These problems tend to make homes unhealthy to live in, causing respiratory illnesses and infections, exacerbating allergies and affecting the immune system. Leaky homes can also be incredibly expensive to fix - full recladding can cost hundreds of thousands of dollars. 
Needless to say, leaky homes are best avoided in most cases. 

What caused the NZ leaky homes crisis? 
Countless factors contributed to the NZ leaky homes crisis, each making the problem worse. It all started in 1987 when monolithic or plaster cladding re-emerged as a popular building material, then got progressively worse thanks to a mix of bad legislation, shoddy materials, poor workmanship and risky design practices.
Monolithic cladding, or plaster 
Monolithic cladding, otherwise known as plaster cladding, is often named as the main culprit of the leaky homes crisis. This material tends to crack slightly if not maintained properly, allowing moisture into the frame below and progressively getting worse. Monolithic cladding gave homes a smooth, seamless look that was in fashion at the time - but it turns out that look wasn’t conducive to watertightness. If you’re considering buying a home that looks like this, it’s worth investigating further as it may be at a high risk of leaking. 

Not all plaster homes leak, but they may be at a higher risk. 
​
Shoddy building practices 
The majority of homes in Aotearoa New Zealand don’t have watertight exterior cladding. In fact, most exterior claddings are not 100% waterproof and a small amount of rain or other water may leak through inside. This isn’t a problem as long as there’s a gap or cavity between the exterior cladding and the framing that allows the water to dissipate. 
From 1987 onward builders started to fix monolithic cladding directly to the timber frame behind it, with no cavity. That meant that when the cladding leaked, the timber framing behind and the inside of the home could become damp or even rotten, compromising the structure of the property. The moisture could then leak through to interior cladding, insulation and interior flooring.

To make matters worse, untreated kiln dry timber was permitted by the building code from 1996 onward, which meant that when the cladding leaked the timber had no protection from the moisture and quickly became damp. For most of these buildings their one line of defence was a special waterproof paint that tended to work at first then fail after a few years. 
Risky designs 
According to building experts, there are several design features that increase the risk of leakiness and are worth looking out for. These include:

• Flat roofs or roofs with parapets (mini walls at the edge of the roof).
• Roof to wall junctions.
• Lack of flashings on windows and penetrations (flashings are thin pieces of thin material installed to prevent the passage of water through a joint in a building). 
• Decks over living areas. 
• Low ground clearance, or level of ground inside is above interior floor level. 
• Complex designs: the more complex the design, the higher the risk. 
• No eaves: homes with wide eaves are at lower risk than those without. 

​
While having these features doesn’t mean a home is leaky, it does indicate that the property may be a high risk and further inspection is required. 

How can I spot a leaky home? 
If you’re in the market for a property you should always keep a close eye out for leaky homes. Here are a few things to look for. 

If you keep your eyes open during a property inspection you may be able to spot signs that a home is leaky. 
Risky periods for leaky buildings 
The first thing to consider when looking out for leaky homes is when the property was built, as the highest risk period is between 1987 and early 2005, according to Prendos:

Before 1987: low risk.
1987 to 1996: high risk. 
1996 to early: 2005: high risk. 
2005 onward: low risk.

Homes built outside these high risk periods can still be leaky, so you still need to do your due diligence when buying. 
Warning signs for leaky homes 
You should always have a building inspection done on a home before you purchase it as this will alert you to any signs that it’s leaky. According to Building Performance NZ, these may include:

• Sagging of ceiling linings. 
• Corrosion of fixings such as screws and nails. 
• Discolouration of materials such as skirtings or architraves. 
• Mould or fungi forming. 
• Uneven floor surfaces and lifting of floor coverings. 
• Swollen materials such as skirtings. 
• Evidence of no cavity between cladding and framing in the LIM report.

You may even notice visible cracking of the cladding, a slightly damp feeling in the carpet (if you’re barefoot) and a musty smell. While you can look out for these warning signs, many leaky homes may not appear leaky at all. That’s why it’s so important to purchase a building inspection before buying any home, and ask your inspector to pay special attention to moisture levels and whether the home has a cavity between the cladding and the frame. If you suspect a home you’re looking at may be leaky it could even be worth purchasing a specialist water tightness inspection, which will investigate the property’s cladding in more detail. 

Not all plaster homes are leaky but they should be approached with caution. 

How much do leaky homes cost to fix? 
Many Kiwis still buy leaky homes, despite their terrible reputation and the high level of risk. The fact is, if the land it's built on is valuable enough, and the price is very low, a leaky home can still be a good buy, if you know what you’re doing. 
However, it’s worth considering that fixing a leaky home can cost $330,000 to $380,000 on average, or over $500,000 in the worst case scenario, according to Opes Partners. 
What’s more, the bank may not lend according to the future value of the house once it's fixed, so it may be difficult or impossible to borrow the money needed to fix the property. That means you’ll need cash or usable equity to fix up the property, a process that could take anywhere from three months to over a year. 

Should I buy a monolithic cladding or plaster house? 
Monolithic cladding and plaster homes aren’t all bad. But if you’re looking at a home that has this type of cladding it’s important to investigate further to ensure that it’s not a leaky home. If the home does not have a cavity between the cladding and the framing, chances are that it will leak at some stage even if it hasn’t yet. Plaster homes built post 2004-2005, that do have a cavity, may be ok. 

If you find a home that doesn’t have a cavity and shows evidence of leaking, you should take great care when buying. These homes can still be a good deal, but they should be priced extremely low to factor in the potentially huge cost of recladding. Before buying you should hire a building inspector and surveyor, get detailed quotes for repairs, and be certain that the home will be worth at least as much as the repair, plus purchase price once you’ve refurbished it. 

*We hope this article has provided some helpful information. It's based on our experience and is not intended as a complete guide. Of course, it doesn’t consider your individual needs or situation. If you're thinking about buying or selling a property, you should always get specific advice, especially if you suspect it’s leaky.

​Ben Tutty 
Ben Tutty is a regular contributor for Trade Me and he's also contributed to Stuff and the Informed Investor. He's got 10+ years experience as both a journalist and website copywriter, specialising in real estate, finance and tourism. Ben lives in Wānaka with his partner and his best mate (Finnegan the whippet).

Savvy Houz Inspections - www.savvyhouz.co.nz - 021 143 2995 

Exploring Tomorrow’s Building Inspections
 
In the ever-changing world of construction and real estate, building inspections are vital for safety and compliance. But as we look ahead, technology is transforming how we assess buildings, making it smarter and more efficient. Let’s dive into the exciting ways tech is revolutionising house inspections.
 
Robot Assistants for On-site Checks
Picture drones equipped with high-tech cameras and sensors, navigating through buildings to capture detailed data. These robotic helpers speed up inspections and make it safer to assess tricky spots like rooftops.
 
AI: Your Inspection Sidekick
Artificial Intelligence is like having a super-powered assistant for analysing inspection data. It sifts through loads of information, spotting issues and patterns that humans might miss. This predictive power helps nip problems in the bud, saving money and ensuring buildings stay strong over time.
 
Virtual Reality: Previewing Problems
Virtual Reality lets inspectors step into a simulated building environment before they go on-site. This sneak peek helps them plan better and understand a building’s condition more thoroughly. They can even simulate different scenarios to prepare for any surprises.
 
IoT Sensors: Keeping Tabs in Real Time
Imagine sensors throughout a building, constantly monitoring temperature, humidity, and structural movement. They send instant alerts if anything seems off, so owners can act fast and prevent disasters, prolonging the building’s life.
 
Handy Apps for Quick Inspections
Mobile apps are becoming must-haves for inspectors. They’re easy to use, helping inspectors snap photos, jot down notes, and generate reports on the spot. This cuts down on paperwork and speeds up the whole house inspection process.
 
In Conclusion:
The future of building inspections is all about marrying technology with tradition. From drones to AI, each innovation makes inspections more accurate and efficient. By embracing these advancements, we’re not just making inspectors’ jobs easier – we’re making buildings safer, stronger, and more compliant. It’s an exciting time for the construction industry, with technology leading the way towards a smarter future.

​Savvy Houz Inspections - Christchurch - www.savvyhouz.co.nz - 021 143 2995

The Weathertight Homes Tribunal has ordered that a house inspector jointly face liability with Christchurch City Council in a claim for a leaky extension.

​
A retired house inspector is facing part liability for a $700,000 leaky building claim after he provided a pre-purchase inspection report that a council alleges was negligent.
But the retired inspector believes he has a good case to fight the claim.

Keith Milne told the Herald on Sunday the Christchurch house he inspected in May 2010 would have been markedly different from when the weathertight problems were found two years later because there were two major earthquakes and hundreds of aftershocks in the intervening period.
Milne says he noted at the time of the inspection that the extension where the problems emerged was constructed in a style that has since been found to have moisture issues, and that his moisture tests could not be invasive tests without removing wall and ceiling linings.

A claim was originally made by the homeowners against the Christchurch City Council. However, the council has successfully applied to the Weathertight Homes Tribunal to have Milne face a share of the liability.
In the tribunal’s decision published in April, chairman Paul Cogswell concluded the homeowners could have a claim against Milne, therefore the council did too.
The saga began on May 13, 2010 when James Cooney and Paul Dempsey signed a sale and purchase agreement for the house in Scarborough, subject to a satisfactory pre-purchase inspection.

Milne provided a report on May 17 that year when he was co-owner in a Christchurch franchise of The NZ House Inspection Company.
The report said the house, which now has a capital value of $1.3 million, was in generally good condition. Some cracks were noted in the exterior cladding and repair was advised.
It said moisture levels where tested were good but the house had been built in a style that had problems with moisture ingress and regular inspection was advised with prompt attention to any defects found.
It concluded an extension was relatively sound and did not warrant further investigation or raise significant concern.

The report contained limitations and exclusions including that invasive testing was not undertaken and areas that were concealed, contained, inaccessible or that could not be seen due to walls, ceilings, floor installations, and other objects would not be inspected.
The claimants went ahead and bought the house but in August and November 2012, the extension on the house was assessed as having leaky issues.

These included:

• The junctions between the addition’s plaster and the existing dwelling had failed for weather-tightness;
• Uncapped parapets had allowed moisture in and this caused decay;
• The mid-floor addition’s en-suite roof junction with the original house had been leaking;
• The conservatory’s addition to the lounge leaked where it abutted to the original dwelling;
• The roof above the music room leaked at the junctions to the adjacent family room skylight;
• Balcony balustrade to wall junctions leaked causing decay in wall framing in the storage shed below;
• Sill flashings had not been installed under the windows and this allowed moisture ingress, resulting in decayed timber framing;
• Roof water discharged onto the balcony, exacerbating the leak.
• 
  

Cogswell said it was arguable, based on the extent of defects identified by assessors in three reports obtained by the claimants, that Milne’s report was negligent.
He said many of the defects could have been seen on visual inspection, and that many found in 2012 would have existed at the time of the pre-purchase inspection report.
The claim against the council was that it failed in its consenting, inspecting, and certifying role as the relevant territorial authority.
However, the council claimed there was negligent misstatement or breach of the Fair Trading Act 1986 by Milne because of the alleged defective inspection.
“The situation is that the council seeks an indemnity or contribution from Mr Milne for any amount it is ordered to pay the claimants despite there being no claim by the claimants against Mr Milne.”

Cogswell said negligent misstatement was arguably met as Milne was “arguably imposed with a duty of care when preparing the report for the claimants, the report was arguably negligent and the claimants arguably relied on it, causing them loss.”
He found that Milne could face a claim in contribution or indemnity from the council arising from his alleged breach by preparation of an allegedly negligent pre-purchase building report.
“Such a finding provides the basis to conclude that there is a legally tenable cause of action against Mr Milne.”

Read More:

• Leaky home crisis more stressful than cancer, upset ...
• Duped first home buyers awarded $900,000 in damages ...
• Leaky homes lawsuit: 'We saw black mould everywhere,' ...
• Developer, council, trades ordered to pay for botched ...

Cogswell said the claimants’ decision to go unconditional was arguably because they were “deceived by the misleading report and so, damage arose from the impugned report”.
He accepted there was also liability under the Fair Trading Act in relation to the alleged “misleading pre-purchase inspection” report.
Milne said he retired in 2015 and wound up the inspection business, no longer had liability insurance, and couldn’t understand why the claim had dragged on for a decade.
He said he would be forced into bankruptcy if he lost.
“It’s not much fun to have that hanging over you.”
Christchurch City Council said it could not properly comment while the case was ongoing.
Natalie Akoorie is the Open Justice deputy editor, based in Waikato and covering crime and justice nationally. Natalie first joined the Herald in 2011 and has been a journalist in New Zealand and overseas for 27 years covering health, social issues, local government, and the regions.

Buying your first home can be an exciting but overwhelming experience. There are many factors to consider, from finding the right home to securing financing and navigating the legal process. Here’s a guide for first home buyers in Auckland and the process involved.

Budget
It’s important to set a budget before you start looking for a home. Consider your income, expenses, and any other financial obligations you may have. This will help you determine how much you can afford to spend on a home and what financing you may need.

Pre-Approval
Getting pre-approved for a mortgage is a crucial step in the home-buying process. This involves meeting with a lender to determine how much they’re willing to lend you based on your financial situation. This will give you a clear idea of your budget and help you avoid disappointment later on.

Finding your dream home
Once you have a budget and pre-approval, it’s time to start looking for a home. Consider your needs and wants, including location, size, and style. Work with a real estate agent to find properties that meet your criteria and schedule viewings.

Due Diligence
Before making an offer, it’s important to conduct due diligence on the property. This includes getting a building inspection and checking for potential issues or red flags. You may also need to obtain a LIM report (Land Information Memorandum) from the local council to ensure there are no outstanding issues with the property.

Make your Offer
Once you have found a property you love, it’s time to make an offer. Work with your real estate agent to determine a fair price based on market conditions and the property’s condition. Your agent will then present the offer to the seller’s agent and negotiate on your behalf.

Finalisation of the Sale & Purchase
If everything checks out, it’s time to finalise the sale. Work with your real estate agent and lawyer to draft a sale and purchase agreement, which outlines the terms and conditions of the sale. Once both parties have signed the agreement, the sale is considered binding.

Moving In
Congratulations, you’re now a homeowner! Once the sale is finalised, it’s time to move in and make your new house a home. This may involve hiring movers, decorating, and making any necessary repairs or renovations.
​
In conclusion, buying your first home can be a complex process, but with the right preparation and guidance, it can also be a rewarding experience. By setting a budget, getting pre-approved for a mortgage, finding the right property, making an offer, conducting due diligence, finalising the sale, and moving in, you can successfully navigate the home-buying process and start building equity in your own home. If you need help with your home-buying journey, we would love to help.
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Call us today for your free quote - 021 143 2995 - www.savvyhouz.co.nz