A mortgage adviser learns about your goals and financial position, researches suitable options from participating lenders, explains the trade-offs and helps coordinate the application. Any recommendation should be based on your circumstances.

Mortgage Lab’s mortgage-advice service is usually provided at no direct cost to you because the lender pays a commission when a loan settles. There are situations where a fee may apply. Your adviser will explain and disclose any potential fee before you proceed.

There is no single deposit requirement for every buyer. The property, lender policy, your income and debts, whether it is a new build, and any eligible first-home support can all affect the answer. An adviser can help you understand which pathways may be realistic before you start applying.

Pre-approval is a conditional commitment from a bank stating how much they are willing to lend you. While not mandatory, we strongly recommend getting pre-approval before house hunting. It gives you confidence about your budget and shows vendors you are a serious buyer.

Yes, if you have been a KiwiSaver member for at least 3 years, you can withdraw your entire balance (minus $1,000) to put towards buying your first home or a similar purchase.

Your deposit can come from multiple sources: personal savings, KiwiSaver withdrawal, family gifts (Bank of Mum and Dad), equity from another property, or a combination of these. Each source has different requirements and implications for your application.