First Home Loans from just 5% deposit

Not sure how much you can afford to borrow? Check out our handy home loan calculator below.

First Home Loans from just 5% deposit

Not sure how much you can afford to borrow? Check out our handy home loan calculator below.

Limited-time offers!

6.20% p.a. fixed for 24 months - This offer is exclusively available to Kāinga Ora First Home Loan applicants and can be withdrawn at any time and without notice.

$3,000 cash contribution - By applying with Unity, you may qualify for a $3,000 cash contribution when you take out a new home loan of $250,000 or more. View Terms and Conditions.

Pay no approval fee - If you apply for a Unity Home Loan and get approved before 31 March 2024, we'll waive the $350 approval fee! 

First Home Loan eligibility

To be eligible for a Kāinga Ora First Home Loan with Unity, you need to meet the following criteria:

  • Be at least 18 years of age
  • Be a New Zealand Citizen and/or Permanent Resident Visa Holder who is ‘ordinarily a resident in New Zealand’.
  • Be a first-home buyer, or a previous homeowner in a similar financial position to a first-home buyer
  • Have a before-tax income from the last 12 months of:
    • $95,000 or less for an individual buyer without dependants; or
    • $150,000 or less for an individual buyer with one or more dependants; or
    • $150,000 or less (combined) for two or more buyers, regardless of the number of dependants
  • Have a minimum deposit that is at least 5% of the purchase price of the home you are interested in buying (inclusive of all savings, grants, first-home withdrawals, and gifts)
  • Be purchasing a home for you to live in as your primary place of residence
  • Not own any other property or land, this does not include ownership of Māori land
  • Be purchasing a property of less than 1 hectare
  • Pay a 0.5% Lender’s Mortgage Insurance premium and a $350 approval fee

For more information on Kainga Ora’s First Home loan, visit the Kainga Ora website

If you don’t think you are eligible for a First Home Loan, you may still qualify for a Home Loan with Unity.                          

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Need help getting onto the property ladder?

Buying your first home can be both exciting and daunting. But with Unity, you're in safe hands. Helping Kiwis into their first home is our purpose!

By applying with us, you may qualify for a First Home Loan, supported by Kāinga Ora – Homes and Communities. 

Enquire today

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A step-by-step guide to buying your first home

No matter what stage you're at in your home-buying journey, we can help you navigate the process.

From preparing to buy to making an offer, find the path to your property goals with our step-by-step First Home Buyers Guide. 

Download

Ready to apply?

If you're ready to complete your home loan application, then let's get started.

  1. Simply download our full pdf application form below.
  2. Complete with your details. 
  3. Email to homeloans@unitymoney.co.nz to apply. Easy.                

Apply now

Help with your deposit

If you’re struggling to save enough for a deposit, there are options available to help you get there faster.

  • Gifting - Your deposit could be gifted by a family member (or the Bank of Mum and Dad as it’s sometimes referred to!). Both you and the family member gifting the deposit will need to confirm in writing that the funds are in fact a gift and not a loan that must be repaid.
  • First Home Grant - As a first home buyer, you may be also eligible for a First Home Grant of up to $5,000 for individuals and up to $10,000 for couples to put towards the purchase of an existing home. The First Home Grant also provides eligible first-home buyers with up to $10,000 for individuals and up to $20,000 for couples to help with the costs of building a brand-new home. Find out if you are eligible.  
  • KiwiSaver - If you have contributed to KiwiSaver for more than three years, you may be eligible to withdraw your KiwiSaver funds to purchase your first home. You must intend to live in the property, be a first home buyer, and purchase a property within New Zealand. If you meet the eligibility criteria, you can withdraw all but $1,000 of your total KiwiSaver balance. For more information on KiwiSaver for first home buyers, check out the video below.

Interest rates

Floating

8.64% p.a. 

Fixed 6 mth

7.35% p.a.

Fixed 12 mth

6.99% p.a.

Fixed 18 mth

7.15% p.a.

Fixed 24 mth

6.99% p.a.

Special eligibility and lending criteria apply. Fixed interest rates from 6.99% - 7.35% p.a. Floating interest rate of 8.64% p.a. T&Cs, a $350 approval fee + a one-off lenders mortgage insurance premium of 0.5% of total amount borrowed will apply. View rates, fees and T&C’s.

Ready to apply?

If you're ready to complete your home loan application, then let's get started.

  1. Simply download our full pdf application form below.
  2. Complete with your details. 
  3. Email to homeloans@unitymoney.co.nz to apply. Easy.                

Apply now


Helpful guides

Budgeting

How much deposit do I need to buy a house?

Saving a deposit can be the biggest hurdle when it comes to buying your first home. So, how much deposit do you need to buy your first home in NZ? And what help is available?

Read more...

FHB

As a first home buyer, where do I start?

Applying for your first home may seem complicated, but it doesn't have to be. From deposits to financial assistance, we're here to help you understand the ins and outs.

Read more...

Family on couch

What support is available for first home buyers?

As a first home buyer, you may be eligible for financial support in the form of a First Home Grant (up to $10,000) or a First Home Loan from just 5% deposit. Find out what you're eligible for.

Read more...

FAQ

Have any questions?

You may find the answer on one of the pages below:

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