First Home Buyer? Here’s Where To Begin

A first home of your very own

Whether you’re actively on the house hunt, or just beginning to ponder the possibility, we’ve got you covered! We understand it can feel stressful and be hard to know where to start as a first home buyer, so we’ve compiled a guide of what to consider and how we can help you on your journey to owning your own first home.

Choose support

From finance pre-approval to taking possession of your new home and even after settlement, your experienced New Home Consultant will be alongside you, guiding you through the process, ensuring you stay updated on building progress and are happy every step of the way. It’s what we do: after all, we’ve helped three generations of Kiwis into new homes.

As first home buyers at West Hills the Ramsay Brothers explain,

“We’d been to so many open homes, where the agents were on our case as soon as we entered through the door, pushing us to buy. However, Universal’s team was refreshingly honest and genuine. It was a very smooth and easy buying process. We would definitely buy with Universal again.”

Select Experience

Consider how important aspects such as being a long-term trusted brand are to you. Designing and building dream homes in stunning locations for you to love has always been our passion. Universal Homes was founded way back in 1959 to meet the needs of first-time homebuyers, with a focus on outstanding quality and a commitment to the customer that has continued to be central to all we do throughout the decades.

Pick our simple process

We make home buying hassle-free, with our simple process. Forget about builders’ reports, frustrating auctions, and tendering. Just get your home loan pre-approved, select your new home with our expert team, and pay a low deposit to hold the house. There’s time to complete your due diligence before the purchase goes unconditional and the remainder of the deposit is due. There are no progress payments during the build; just the balance to be paid at settlement before you move on in.

Northcote first home buyers Nicole and Mark state, 

“We just can’t quite believe how easy the process was. Buying new with Universal really got rid of all that stress. Knowing all that we would need to pay from the get-go, was just amazing. There wasn’t any negotiation, or having to cope with fluctuations in the market. Purchasing with Universal gave us the assurance that we were backed by a trustworthy company that we could count on. It gave us such peace of mind.”

Know your sales price

Pre-designed by our team of experts – from the architecture to colours, fittings and finishes – all Universal homes are costed by the time you purchase so it’s advertised with a sales price, which frees you up from complex and time-consuming building and design decisions.

Being crystal clear on your budget, and knowing exactly what you can and can’t afford, is crucial as a first home buyer. Once you know where you stand, this gives you a really thorough idea of what you can realistically look to purchase. If you’re after that extra bedroom, but can’t quite afford it, consider multi-use flexible spaces, which can double for living, working from home, study, your yoga practice, or that cumbersome crafty project. Keen on your own patch of green? Think bigger picture about your local backyard. Consider terrace homes, walk-ups, or apartments, and look at what parks, green spaces, or reserves are nearby for you to enjoy. Chat to our team for more handy tips to help you rethink your approach, that may make all the difference.

Opt into Quality

We know quality is crucial. Outstanding quality is a hallmark of our new homes, from future-focused features to innovative designs, the latest building materials for lasting durability, and stylish exterior and interior good looks. The benefits of a new build include all-new fixtures and fittings, each with its own guarantees and warranties.

Additionally, each Universal home is designed to meet New Zealand Healthy Homes standards. This means things like heating and double glazing are all sorted for you. Even better, you’ll get the peace of mind of a Master Build Guarantee which comes with each one of our homes, plus our twelve month maintenance promise and aftercare.

Minimise maintenance costs

New equals no need for improvements: a new house is likely to be in better condition than an older home. In an older home, you may need to also budget for maintenance, repairs and renovations and weekends of DIY. The knowledge that a new home means you won’t be inheriting pre-existing issues can make a significant difference when weighing up property options. Our quality homes minimise the need for maintenance, so you can spend more time doing what you love.

Connect with community

Trying to work out where to hunt for a home can feel overwhelming. We know there’s more to a home than quality and good looks, which is why our dedicated team has been connecting Kiwis with great communities, for over three generations. We’ve done the hard work for you, carefully selecting liveable, loveable locations handy to everything you need. We always consider the things that are important to you, like close proximity to transport routes, access to great parks and beaches, schooling, plus vibrant retail and dining. For everyone who wants a home that’s truly their own, there’s Universal Homes.

Want to know more?

Warm, dry, light, and low maintenance: a Universal home is a great choice. Our friendly New Home Consultants would love to help you on your new home journey. Chat to us today.

More Stories

Stay informed about exciting Universal Homes insights, and the latest news updates.

On The Menu at West Hills 

Delicious is just around the corner, with plenty to pick from when it’s time to eat, drink and enjoy what West Hills has on offer.

KOROK Acoustic and Fire Wall Systems

Turning down the noise, Universal’s terrace homes are fitted with innovative and impressively thick multi-layered and soundproofed KOROK inter-tenancy partition wall systems.

Smart Space: Terrace Home Living With Universal

Thoughtfully positioned and designed to maximise light and space for you to enjoy, Universal Homes embody excellent terrace home living.
Receive Our Updates
Stay in the loop with all of our latest property releases, news, and insights.

Share Page

Facebook
LinkedIn
Email
WhatsApp

Receive our updates

Stay in the loop with all of our latest property releases, news, and insights