First-time buyers and ‘second chancers’ can apply online to the KiwiBuild Unit to determine if they are eligible to enter a ballot to purchase a KiwiBuild home. The launch of the pre-qualification system comes ahead of a limited release of KiwiBuild homes in Papakura, Auckland.“The online portal is now live and that represents an important milestone for the KiwiBuild programme,” says Head of KiwiBuild, Stephen Barclay.“It’s the first opportunity for New Zealanders to have a look at the pre-qualification system.“There is no rush to pre-qualify for a KiwiBuild home. My advice is to familiarise yourself with the system, get a better understanding of the information you’ll need to provide us with, and obtain some financial advice as well.“The best time to enter the pre-qualification stage is when a KiwiBuild development becomes available in an area where you would like to live. Submit your details and supporting documentation to the secure online portal at kiwibuild.govt.nz and then we’ll be in touch to let you know if you have qualified to enter a ballot.“KiwiBuild will give you plenty of time to pre-qualify, view homes and make an informed decision about becoming a homeowner. Make sure you’ve registered with us at kiwibuild.govt.nz and we’ll keep you up-to-date with new developments as they come to market.“It’s important to remember that buying a KiwiBuild home is similar to buying a home on the open market and people will need to go through the same process as any first home buyer,” says Mr Barclay.“KiwiBuild homes are more affordable but your mortgage provider will still require a deposit and be satisfied that you can afford a mortgage.“Purchasing a home is one of the biggest financial decisions most people will ever make. While the KiwiBuild programme will make the process of buying a home as easy as possible, people need to carefully consider if home ownership is a commitment they are ready to make.”In the first year KiwiBuild will deliver 1000 homes, another 5000 by June 2020, and 10,000 in 2021. The initial focus will be on areas with high housing demand and affordability pressures including Auckland, Wellington, Hamilton, Napier-Hastings, Queenstown-Lakes District, Tauranga, Whangarei District and Nelson-Tasman.To ensure these KiwiBuild homes go to the people for whom they are intended, applicants must also:

· Be a first-time buyer or a ‘second chancer’· Have an income of less than $120,000 for a single applicant, or no more than $180,000 for more than one purchaser· Be a New Zealand permanent resident or citizen, or a resident visa holder who is ‘ordinarily resident in New Zealand’· Intend to live in the home as their main place of residence for at least three years The online pre-qualification process will ask for specific documentation including:

· Proof of residency· Proof of income· Statutory declaration signed by an authorised person (e.g. a Justice of the Peace, lawyer)· Financial pre-approval from a bank or other lender

For more information go to www.kiwibuild.govt.nz