First-home mortgage readiness

A practical sequence for understanding deposit evidence, income, commitments, and the documents commonly requested before a first-home application.

General education only

Trace the deposit

Keep a clear record of savings, KiwiSaver eligibility, gifts, sale proceeds, or other sources. A lender may need to understand both the amount and where it came from.

Make commitments visible

List credit limits, BNPL accounts, loans, student-loan deductions, dependants, rent, and regular transfers. A nil credit-card balance does not make the limit disappear.

Check income evidence

Employment agreements, payslips, and bank credits should tell a consistent story. Overtime, bonus, commission, board, and secondary work can prompt additional questions.

Separate approval from property checks

A financial assessment and acceptance of a particular property are different decisions. Valuation, insurance, title, construction, and property type may still matter.

Evidence categories to organise

  • Proof of identity and address
  • Recent income evidence
  • Deposit and KiwiSaver trail
  • Debt balances and limits
  • Regular expense picture
  • Property documents when a property is selected

This guide does not account for your full circumstances and is not financial advice, a lending assessment, approval, or offer.