PHOTO: Photo: RNZ / Nate McKinnon
Time is running out for potential first-time homebuyers who are looking to utilize the Kāinga Ora scheme to enter the property market. The First Home Partner scheme ceased accepting new applications in September due to an overwhelming surge of interest in the program. As a result, individuals who have already received approval are now racing to take advantage of this opportunity.
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Earlier this year, the state housing agency made it more accessible for people to participate in the First Home Partner scheme. In August, they expanded eligibility by raising the income cap and eliminating the restriction on purchasing only new houses. Just six weeks later, Kāinga Ora announced that they would no longer accept new applications due to an unprecedented level of demand.
Towards the end of October, those who had already received approval received an update. The message informed them that Kāinga Ora would continue to evaluate sale and purchase agreements on a case-by-case basis until available funding was exhausted. The email also warned that the agency was rapidly approaching its funding limit, and it was likely to reach that limit in November, given the current demand.
Under the scheme, Kāinga Ora purchases a stake in the property of first-time homebuyers, up to a maximum of 25 percent or $200,000, whichever is lower. Before the eligibility criteria were relaxed, 550 deals were completed, and since then, an additional 148 have been finalized.
The diminishing funding has left prospective buyers anxious about the future. For individuals like Emma, who hopes to secure a home for herself, her partner, and their one-year-old child, the fear of running out of funds is adding immense pressure. She expressed gratitude for being approved but is now frantically attempting to secure a property and receive approval before the funding is exhausted.
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Mortgage adviser Stuart Wills has several clients facing a similar situation, uncertain about their chances of securing funds. The uncertainty is frustrating for many, and the rush to buy a property before the funds run out may lead to a lack of proper due diligence.
Wills suggested that Kāinga Ora has other home ownership schemes like First Home Loans, which could be a better fit for some individuals. Under this scheme, Kāinga Ora underwrites loans issued by selected banks and lenders, allowing borrowers to have a down payment as low as 5 percent. However, some are deterred by the requirement of having been in the same job for 12 months or in the same industry for two years.
Despite these challenges, Emma has managed to find a property and is currently working on getting funding approval for it. However, if this approval falls through, she may have to return to square one, which could involve renting, a disappointing prospect for someone who has been living with her parents to save money.
Recently, Kāinga Ora announced that it would only accept Sale and Purchase Agreements until Thursday, with the possibility of closing off even earlier due to continued high demand. Eligible applicants can still submit these agreements for assessment while funding remains available. However, Kāinga Ora will not accept any agreements submitted after 5 pm on Thursday, November 9, as they anticipate reaching their funding limit before that date, depending on the daily influx of agreements.