Buying a Home - How to Get a Home Loan

This article has been written for the New Zealandhire purchase, credit cards, child support.
home market and is designed to assist you on how toIf 1, 2 and 3 meet with the lenders criteria - the lender
get a home loan mortgage to buy property in Newwill be able to provide you with a pre approved
Zealand - whether you want to buy your very firstmortgage certificate; this states how much they are
home or maybe you already have a home and wanthappy to lend to... do note though, this will be subject to
to move on to another, or you are a New Zealandconditions and will include what property you buy and
resident working abroad and want to buy property.may require a valuation for varying types of property,
WHAT IS A LOAN PRE-APPROVAL?and anything else that may apply.
This is the most important part of the process - if youSECURITY
obtain a "pre-approved" home loan mortgage it willThis is the house or property you are purchasing. Most
assist you with determining your parameters. Whatlenders are comfortable to lend against a traditional
that means is; as to the price of the property - howstand alone residential property located in an urban
much you can spend, area to purchase, and theenvironment. Beware though, of non standard
upfront economics of the decision to buy a house -properties, some lenders view - apartments, terraced
this is a long term commitment, the more informationhouses, life style blocks and some vacant land as 'non
you have at the start the better off you'll be. So whatstandard'. Most lenders will require a valuation on these
is a pre-approval, this is where a lender/bank has pretypes of property.
approved a home loan mortgage up to a certainVALUATIONS
amount and possibly conditional on other factors likeIf you require a valuation ask your Mortgage Broker
the type of property, which is the security they will use.for a referral as some lenders have a specific
HOW DO I GET A LOAN PRE-APPROVALrequirement and this will eliminate any expensive
To obtain a pre approval a lender will need to look atmistakes.
the following:REFINANCE selling one house and buying another...
[1] Your deposit; how much is the deposit and what isIt pays to check your figures and check again! When
its origin. They will be looking for a deposit over 5%you do have a pre approval, double check your
and one that has an element of savings for what thedeposit will be what it needs to be. This is especially
lender refers to as "hurt money". A higher deposit willimportant if you are selling your existing property to
always be more positively received by a lender;provide the deposit for a new purchase - will there be
however funding is available for the lower equityenough money on settlement day? Get your
purchases, but can be a little more expensive.Mortgage Broker to work through this with you and
[2] Your income and the lender will be looking forconfirm the figures. If you are using funds held in an
stability of earnings and a reasonable margin ofinvestment or from family sources, check that these
uncommitted income. However those in relatively neware immediately available. If you sign an agreement it is
jobs can obtain funding but may need to provide morea binding contract.
detail of previous employment.THE PURCHASE - time to shop
[3] Your bank statements; the lender will want to viewNow you are ready to go shopping you will need to
the last 3 months bank statements to ensure thefind a Real Estate Agent and again your Mortgage
applicant is living within their means and that they canBroker will be able to recommend a good agent to suit
demonstrate a clear ability to manage their financialyour needs if required.
affairs. It is from this source they will determine theCo-Author Phillip Gilmour of Mortgage People Limited,
applicants other financial commitments, for exampleAuckland, New Zealand.