29 Jul Client story: An education in buying a first home
When Maria moved from Brazil to Hawke’s Bay 25 years ago, owning a home in New Zealand wasn’t in her sights. But recently, she took a well-earned day off to relax and enjoy her brand-new home.
Her reason for buying a home was to create a secure future for her daughter. Maria is an incredibly hard worker, and to save for her 20% deposit, she had a full-time job during the week and two part-time jobs in the evenings and weekends for two years.
Her colleague recommended Judy Steiner from Mortgage and Insurance Link Hawke’s Bay. At first, she was nervous about using a Mortgage Adviser, but that quickly changed. Judy was right by her side to guide her and teach her how to buy a house.
The process in New Zealand was completely different from what she knew in Brazil, so the experience became a learning curve for Maria.
“Back home, you put a price on a house to sell it. The first person to offer got it. I didn’t understand that you had to put in an offer here.”
“She explained how it worked, she educated me. I really enjoyed the way she explained things. She could see that I had no idea about anything. She would grab a piece of paper and show me the calculations until I got it.”
Maria also learned about insurance through Judy. “I didn’t know she did insurance too. When I realised, I asked her what would happen to the house if something happened to me. She explained everything clearly. I wanted to make sure all my hard work wouldn’t go to waste.”
The moment Maria received the call from Judy to say she had gotten pre-approval felt unbelievable. Maria cannot thank Judy enough for the help she gave her.
“I am really happy and I wish all the best for Judy because she was really, really really good to me. She was just amazing, I was just really lucky. She is someone that treats you well. Respectful and understands your limitations. I am blessed.”
Maria’s story is a great reminder that you don’t have to go through the home-buying process alone, especially if it’s all new to you. Whether you’re new to New Zealand or just unsure where to start, talking to a Mortgage Adviser can make a big difference.
If you’re thinking about buying your first home and want someone to explain things clearly and support you along the way, come and talk to us. We’re here to help you understand your options, feel confident, and take that exciting step toward homeownership.