Buying a New Zealand home online

International property buyers wanting to keep their families safe have been attracted by the low number of Covid cases and the lack of virus transmission in the community .

Buying property sight unseen comes with significant risks. You cannot expect the Real Estate Agent that advertises a New Zealand property to negotiate the best price on your behalf – they work for the seller and their job is to get the highest price for their client.

Online photos can be impressive but if you take the plunge and it turns out you have bought a lemon, it’s too late. Unlike a pair of shoes, you can’t return a house to the seller, and this makes it a very expensive mistake.

Photographers don’t take photos of things the seller or their agent dont want you to see. Often it is not what the photos show that is misleading but what they leave out – like the power pylon across the road, the hoarder next door or the construction site that will cast a shadow over your property when completed. You won't see the environment in the neighbourhood - like the noise from the party house or the traffic that restricts your access at peak times.

There are so many things you won't see online, like structural damage, erosion, mould, water damage, asbestos and methamphetamine contamination to name just a few.

When you can’t view the property or undertake extensive due diligence, you need someone on the ground who can do this for you. Virtual tours or relying on the Sellers Agent are no substitute for having a professional Buyers Agent to guide you through the process and protect you from the risks outlined in this post.

View my other posts to learn about the risks of buying property that is off-the-plan, leasehold or cross-lease.

No one can predict what the long term impact will be on house prices post covid. Prices have dropped by up to 3% since the Covid lockdown ended. With low interest rates and a shortage of housing stock, demand will remain strong and prices are likely to bounce back.

Exclusive Buyers Agency will never try to “sell” you a home. We provide you with all the information (good and bad) you need to make an informed buying decision. We leave no stone unturned in the search for the right home, whether listed, unlisted, or for sale by the owner.

We are exclusive because we only work for buyers. We have no properties for sale and therefore no conflicts of interest.

Lorraine Burns

Buyers Agent - Licensed (REAA 2008)

Phone +61 21 8468828 or +619 846 8828