#HomeBuyingTips

Luke and Sally recently began the exciting adventure of buying their very first home.

This opportunity came about following the sad passing of Steve, from whom they received an inheritance. This opened the door for them to take their first step onto the property ladder something they had long hoped for.

 

From the very beginning, Luke and Sally involved their lawyer and that made all the difference. Before signing anything, their lawyer carefully reviewed the draft Agreement for Sale and Purchase.

 

Together, they worked through the terms to ensure Luke and Sally understood them fully, and that the Agreement included all the conditions they needed to protect their interests.

 

For many first-home buyers, these conditions often include:

Finance approval – making sure lending is in place.
KiwiSaver withdrawal or First Home Grant – ensuring these funds can be used in time.
LIM report – checking council records for any issues.
Builder’s report – confirming the home is sound and safe.
Toxicology report – reassurance that the property isn’t contaminated with any toxic substances such as methamphetamine.
Any other conditions the buyers consider necessary – because every purchase is unique.

 

Once the Agreement was signed, Luke and Sally’s lawyer continued to guide them through every step of the transaction. They assisted with satisfying each condition, provided clear instructions for paying the deposit, and managed all the details between the Agreement going unconditional and settlement day. From liaising with the bank to preparing loan and mortgage documents, their lawyer ensured nothing was left to chance.

 

Finally, on settlement day, Luke and Sally received the keys to their new home with peace of mind knowing that every stage of the process had been looked after with care.

 

At Edmonds Judd, we encourage buyers to involve their lawyer from the very beginning. From reviewing the draft Agreement, through the conditional and unconditional phases of the transaction, to settlement itself — having the right legal guidance makes the journey smoother, safer, and far less stressful.

 

Here’s to new beginnings and secure decisions.

Rachael Beattie


It felt like Bob’s life had been turned upside down. Not only had his father, Steve, passed away recently leaving him upset and overwhelmed, but his burger bar business was also struggling. Bob had put all his life savings into his burger bar, which he opened 6 months prior. Further adding to the stress, Bob currently did not have a home. He had been couch-surfing at friends places while he saved up enough to rent a place of his own.

 

After a few difficult months, Steve’s estate was finally settled. As one of the beneficiaries, Bob received a substantial inheritance. Though the money offered some relief, Bob knew he needed to use it wisely. His first step: finding a home. He realised that in order to take care of his business and himself, he needed a stable place to live and rest, putting him in a better frame of mind to make smart business decisions.

 

As Bob now had more funds than he had expected to receive from years of working, he decided this was the right time to buy a property rather than rent. He browsed listings on local real estate websites and soon found a small, tidy place in a quiet neighbourhood—within his budget and close to his burger bar.

 

He decided to call his lawyer and ask for the things he should consider before making an offer. His lawyer guided him through several key considerations:

 

  1. Conditions in the Sale and Purchase Agreement: He needed to decide whether he wanted to include conditions in the agreement. He already had the funds available for the purchase so he did not need to make it conditional on finance. Bob did not realise that he could also include other conditions such as a LIM report, builders report, and toxicology report. Bob decided to include each of these as it was better to make sure there were no big issues before being locked in a deal.

 

  1. KiwiSaver: If Bob has KiwiSaver funds, he would need to fill out an application to withdraw the funds from his provider. He would need a solicitor to witness him signing this as it could not be left until the last minute.

 

  1. Insurance: The lawyer stressed to Bob the importance of checking he could obtain insurance cover for the property prior to going unconditional. Also, if there were any issues under the builders report / LIM report / toxicology report, he would need to disclose said issues with his insurer.

  1. Relationship Property: Bob had not had the time to date with everything going on but was made aware to obtain advice in this regard once he had a partner in the future.

 

Bob took all the advice into consideration and obtained all recommended reports. Within weeks, his purchase when unconditional, and weeks after, settled.

 

Bob was beyond happy, he now felt as though he had the stability he had been searching for. This feeling lasted only a few minutes though as Bob was about to receive a call in relation to his business that would change everything…

 

 

Macayla Brdanovic