19 March 2012
First Buyer Seminars Show Strong Demand In Housing
Large numbers of people attending a series of First Home Buyer Seminars show strong demand emerging in the housing
market, ANZ’s Managing Director, Retail, Kerri Thompson says.
Hundreds of people have attended a recent series of seminars, organised by ANZ, to help first home buyers learn more
about the process.
“What we are seeing is large numbers of people beginning the process of buying their own home,” Mrs Thompson says.
“But while demand is strong, buyers are proceeding carefully. Because the market is so competitive people are making
sure they are well informed about their options when buying a house.”
After a successful series in Auckland, ANZ is rolling out the seminars around the country. Seminars were held recently
in Hawera, Porirua and Palmerston North and further seminars are planned for the Central and Lower North Island, and
Nelson, during March and April.
“Buying a home can be incredibly daunting and complex – especially for those who are doing it for the first time,” Mrs
Thompson says.
“It is a huge purchase, and one that can be risky for the unwary. People realise that it is vitally important to have
done their research.”
Mrs Thompson said ANZ began holding the seminars following feedback from its frontline mortgage managers that many
people didn’t know where to go to get advice.
“Many customers are worried that they don’t have enough savings for a deposit on a house,” Mrs Thompson said.
“There are options and avenues available. For example, we always dedicate time at the seminars to show customers how
they can use their KiwiSaver funds as their deposit.
“Many aren’t aware that this opportunity exists, and it’s always great when we see customers start to realise that
buying their first home is not just a dream, but an achievable goal.”
In addition, ANZ had made changes to its credit policy to make it possible for more customers to get into their own home
especially those with lower deposits.
“We are constantly looking at ways to make the process simpler and faster, while still ensuring our loan criteria are
met and we are lending responsibly,” Mrs Thompson said.
Free First Home Buyers Seminars continue to be scheduled and will be held in the following locations:
20 March – Newmarket (National Bank)
21 March – Feilding
22 March – Levin
27 March – Wellington
28 March – Wellington (National Bank), Lower Hutt, Manukau
29 March – Marton
31 March – Paraparaumu
3 April - Nelson
17 April – Kilbirnie (National Bank)
18 April – Te Awamutu (National Bank), Karori (National Bank), New Plymouth, Mt Maunganui, Whakatane
19 April – Thames, Kilbirnie, Mt Maunganui
21 April - Paraparaumu/Waikanae (National Bank), Porirua/Johnsonville (National Bank)
24 April - Tauranga
Further seminars are planned in Auckland, Cambridge, Hamilton, Taupo, Rotorua, East Cape, Oamaru, Dunedin and
Invercargill.
More information is available at ANZ and National Bank branches.
ENDS