Tips on buying a house or apartment

  • Now it’s a “buyers’ market’ — but don’t try to time markets
  • Get a LIM — important info
  • See property at different times
  • Check the neighbourhood
  • Online valuations
  • Building inspection
  • Negotiating — including auctions
  • Very important: be prepared to walk away. There are always other good houses!

Listen to the segment below, or click here to read Radio NZ’s summary.

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Mary Holm, ONZM, is a freelance journalist, a seminar presenter and a bestselling author on personal finance. She is a director of Financial Services Complaints Ltd (FSCL) and a former director of the Financial Markets Authority. Her opinions are personal, and do not reflect the position of any organisation in which she holds office. Mary’s advice is of a general nature, and she is not responsible for any loss that any reader may suffer from following it. Send questions to [email protected] or click here. Letters should not exceed 200 words. We won’t publish your name. Please provide a (preferably daytime) phone number. Unfortunately, Mary cannot answer all questions, correspond directly with readers, or give financial advice.