First Time Home Buyer NZ | Top 5 Open Home Questions

Have you ever left an open home feeling like there was something you forgot to ask? Maybe it was about the neighbours, the floor area, or whether the property sits in a flood zone. There are thousands of questions you could ask, but if you’re a first-time home buyer in NZ, five stand out as the most valuable. Here’s what to focus on when visiting a new build open home.

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1. Do You Have Title and CCC?

Just because a development looks complete doesn’t mean it’s ready to move in. Settlement requires two key documents:

• Record of Title: Proves the developer owns the land and that each townhouse is its own legal entity. It is essential for transferring ownership into your name.
  
  
• Code Compliance Certificate (CCC): Confirms that building work meets the Building Code and matches the consent.
  
  

If both are issued, you’ll have peace of mind that the property is legally ready for settlement.

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2. Is There a Resident Society or Body Corporate?

A development is like a mini neighbourhood. You’ll likely be sharing paths, driveways, landscaping, lighting and other common assets.

It’s important to know how those will be maintained and insured:

• Resident Societies: Give owners more freedom to choose individual insurance, while still covering shared spaces, usually around $1,000–$2,000 per year.
  
  
• Body Corporates: Require one insurer for the entire development and can cost up to $5,000 per year.
  
  

Understanding this helps NZ first time home buyers budget more accurately.

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3. What Chattels Are Included?

That beautiful sofa in the lounge is probably staging.

To avoid surprises, always confirm what’s included with the developer. Common inclusions are ovens, hobs, waste disposals, blinds, and heat pumps. Don’t assume, review the chattels or spec list carefully.

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4. How Soundproof Is This Townhouse?

This is one of the most common concerns from first time home buyers.

Keep in mind:

• No acoustic treatment helps if the windows and doors are open. Closing them provides the most isolation.
  
  
• Look for double glazing and quality intertenancy systems.
  
  
• Do a quick test at the open home by standing in adjacent units and talking. Most modern builds now meet strong acoustic standards.
  
  

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5. Is the Price Negotiable?

Asking about price is just the starting point. To improve your chances of negotiating, do some research beforehand:

• What are comparable properties priced at?
  
  
• What has recently sold, and for how much?
  
  
• How long has the development been on the market?
  
  
• How many units are still available?
  
  

This gives you leverage and a clearer sense of whether the asking price is fair.

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What This Means for First-Time Buyers

You’ll never get all the answers at the first viewing, but being proactive with these five questions will give you a stronger position.

Whether you’re comparing different developments or have just started your journey, the right questions help you avoid costly surprises and buy with confidence.

Think of these five points as your open home checklist, they’ll guide your conversations with developers, lenders, and even lawyers, helping you budget more accurately and step onto the property ladder with confidence.

Being proactive with the right questions at open homes is a great start. To go deeper, explore our buying process page.