Home profile: how to buy a first home

“It’s the second biggest achievement of my life after family, which is always the priority,” he says of the three-bedroom house he purchased last October. 

“It was a long time coming and a tough journey to get here but it’s a beautiful house. We love it. Five minutes into the first viewing my wife and I looked at each other and said: ‘this is it.’”

Having immigrated to New Zealand from Nepal at just 19, the now 31-year-old was determined to forge a successful future here. He got his New Zealand residency and worked several jobs while continuing his studies and paying two rents.

“I’d study in Auckland on Monday through Wednesday, and then that evening I would travel to Tauranga to work Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday and then drive back to Auckland again.”

Through a variety of roles – including cafe management, call centre work, roof cleaning and kiwifruit picking – Madan grew to love Tauranga’s climate and laid-back lifestyle, deciding it was the perfect environment to raise his family.

“Tauranga won my heart; I felt it was the best place to start something new,” he says. 

Becoming a New Zealand resident meant Madan could contribute to KiwiSaver, which he describes as the biggest help to grow his savings enough for a home deposit.

After four months dedicating every spare evening and weekend to open homes – a mission involving roughly 40 viewings – the couple finally settled on their 400sqm home. The three-bedroom property has three bathrooms, spacious living and dining areas, a deck, a backyard and a garage.

“What drew us to this house is the unique structure. It technically has three storeys and the massive primary bedroom which we wanted.”

Since moving in, the couple has made several cosmetic improvements, including installing acoustic panels in the master bedroom, updating fixtures like taps and doorknobs and adding a security system. They’ve purchased sun umbrellas to enjoy meals on the deck and have established a vegetable patch where they are growing tomatoes, coriander and other herbs.

Madan says the biggest challenge was managing the moving parts of home buying, from coordinating with real estate agents, mortgage brokers, banks and solicitors, to getting building inspections and LIM reports. His advice to other first-home buyers?

“Take your time and do your research. Keep searching and stay open minded about your options. Be clear on what you are willing to compromise on; create a timeline and don’t forget to take care of your current property!”

Looking ahead, Madan envisions installing a pergola on the balcony to create a sunroom and building a larger backyard fence – complete with a cricket pitch – where he can pass on his love for the game to his son.

“Saturday mornings are for cricket with Riyan, followed by a trip to Bunnings to plan our next home project,” Madan says. “With both my wife and I working five days a week, Sundays are our chance to relax and enjoy the house together as a family.”

Reflecting on the journey, Madan says he’s immensely proud of achieving homeownership, and he is quick to credit his wife for the unwavering support that made it all possible.

Instilling the same values in Riyan is also important to Madan; he’s passionate about teaching him the importance of money from an early age.

“Anyone with a five-year-old will know they come with about a thousand questions a day,” he laughs. “He often asks why both his parents have to go to work, and I tell him it’s so I can pay for our house.

Of course, he doesn't understand what a mortgage is yet, but it feels amazing. I’m super proud, and I think anyone who knows me would say the same.”