Readiness check
Am I ready to buy?
See how much you could borrow, what it really costs, and whether you’d survive a rate rise. Enter your numbers once — they carry through every step, no re-typing. Need a target price? See the current median house prices in NZ.
Could buy up to
$770,000
indicative ceiling
Weekly mortgage
$875
at 6.5%
If rates rise +1%
$968
per week
Readiness score
70
out of 100
Read this first — it's just a ballpark.
This tool gives a rough, educational estimate of the kind of purchase price a first-home buyer in your situation might explore. It is not financial advice, not a recommendation, and not a lending decision. Every bank assesses differently and looks at far more than these few numbers. For a real answer, talk to a licensed mortgage adviser or your bank.
Your commitments
Lenders count your card and overdraft limits (not just the balance) and assume higher living costs for each dependent — so both reduce what you could borrow.
A rough ballpark
What you might be looking at
Upper limit a lender might allow
$770,000
This is the ceiling — not a recommended or comfortable price
A more comfortable target
$646,000
Buying nearer this level usually scores far better on your readiness report
Est. max loan
$620,000
Your deposit
$150,000
Deposit is about 19% of the price
Under 20% usually means low-equity rules and a low-equity premium, and not every bank will lend. It can still be possible — a licensed adviser can tell you.
This is an estimate for general information only.
It is not financial advice, not a recommendation, and not an offer or approval to lend. The figure is a simplified illustration and does not reflect any bank's actual criteria, your real living costs, the lender test rate, or your individual circumstances. A licensed mortgage adviser or your bank can give you a proper assessment. Always seek professional advice before making financial decisions.
Estimates only, based on the figures you enter. Actual rates and approval amounts vary — confirm with your bank, mortgage broker and other providers before making financial decisions. This is general information, not financial advice.
Still unsure about something? Ask us directly.