Buying your first home can be stressful. Taking that first step onto the property ladder is probably one of the biggest decisions you’ll ever have to make. But if you do your homework and properly prepare yourself, it needn’t be as frightening as you expect. If you’re tired of renting and you think that buying a home is the right thing for you, take a look at our step-by-step guide for first home-buyers.

As a first home buyer, trying to get a foot onto the property ladder in a heated property market may seem impossible. Despite the challenges though, real estate figures show that first home buyers still make up a sizeable portion of buyers in the current property market. While you may need to change your expectations when buying your first home, patience and perseverance do pay off. We’ve outlined some of the things you need to think about when buying your first home.

According to state-owned valuer QV, New Zealand property value growth slowed down in March, although Auckland is seeing signs of a resurgence. As property prices continue to rise and first home buyers struggle to get onto the property ladder, it’s time to ditch the luxuries and put more cash into your savings. Read on to find out more in this month’s property article.