Buying property in New Zealand is still relatively easy to do. It can take between four to six weeks from offer to moving in, and is relatively inexpensive compared to most European countries and depending on where you purchase.

Christchurch is the best city in New Zealand to purchase property relative to income levels.  The average house price is around $470,000 and with the expansion of the northern and southern motorway opening up the corridor to Lincoln, Rolleston, Rangiora, and Pegasus, you can purchase a new home or section within 30 minutes from the heart of Christchurch. Those of us who recall living in London and the daily commute to work, will realise just how good a 30 minute drive to work can be!  

All Harcourts real estate agents are professionals and licenced under the REA act  2008.

Before you can make an offer, you’ll need to know the method of sale being used for that home. Remember, the real estate agent, or your lawyer or conveyancer are there to support you through the process. Don’t make an offer on a property before seeking legal advice.

There are three main ways to buy a property in New Zealand:

• There is the ‘usual’ way, familiar to most UK and US buyers, and known in New Zealand as buying by advertised price, deadline sale or negotiation.
  • Advertised price: The seller sets a price and you can choose to offer more or less than that price and negotiate the sale. There is no specific deadline your offer needs to be received by.
  • Deadline sale: The seller sets a date and you can make an offer at any time before that date. The seller may indicate the price. You can offer more or less than that price and negotiate the sale.
  • Negotiation: When it’s difficult to estimate the market value of a property, a seller may choose to sell by negotiation. Buyers make offers based on what they think the property is worth in the current market. There’s no end date for offers.
  • In all cases, you can attach conditions to your offer, like making the offer subject to a building inspection. You can change your offer at any time before the seller accepts it, and you can include an expiry date on the offer. Sellers can also attach terms and conditions to the sale, for example, the settlement date. If you can’t meet the conditions or need an extension, you need to talk to your lawyer or conveyancer and the real estate agent as soon as possible. If there is more than one offer, the sale may become a multi-offer process
     
• Buying by tender. When a property is for sale by tender, buyers give confidential written offers to the agent before a specified end date. You can attach conditions to your offer. Sellers can also attach terms and conditions to the sale. You can make an offer at any time. If the seller decides to accept offers earlier than the tender end date, the property can be sold before this date. Register your interest with the agent and ask to be informed if someone else makes an offer before the end date to see if you can also make an offer. If the seller has decided they will accept offers before the end date and there is more than one offer, the sale may become a multi-offer process.  The seller doesn’t have to accept the highest offer or any offer. The seller may choose to negotiate, through the agent, with anyone who submitted an offer.
   
• Buying by auction. A property auction is a fast-paced, public sale. The property is sold to the buyer with the highest bid after the seller’s reserve price is reached. Important things to know. Buyers should register their interest with the agent and ask to be informed if another buyer makes an offer before the auction date. If you haven’t been to an auction before, it’s a good idea to attend one as a spectator so you can see how they work. At Harcourts Four Seasons we use Gavl.com which is an online auction streaming service. You can watch and bid in real time. If you win an auction, you are committed to purchase the property. You must pay the purchase deposit on the auction day. It’s very important to have your finances in order and to complete your due diligence before you think about bidding at auction

Whichever offer process is used, remember that a sale and purchase agreement is a legally binding contract, so get legal advice before you make your offer.

Buying costs are relatively low, amounting to around NZ$3,000, which includes a registration fee, lawyer/conveyancer’s fee, building inspection, valuation and LIM.

Below are a selection of properties available in the number one region in Canterbury 'Selwyn District' which comprises the townships of Lincoln, Rolleston, Prebbleton, and Leeston. 

If you would like further information or a FaceTime Live viewing through a property, please let me know. Enjoy and I hope to see you back in the land of the long white cloud soon!