Case Study: From “Not Possible” to Homeowner – How a Simple Conversation Changed Everything

One of the most common things we hear from first home buyers is, “I didn’t think it was possible.”

This recent client story is a perfect example of why assumptions – often based on outdated or incomplete information – can stop people from taking their first step toward home ownership.

The Starting Point: Assumptions and Uncertainty

This client came to us believing that owning their own home was out of reach.

They had two children, a household income of around $150,000, and a deposit of approximately 5%. Like many families in similar situations, they assumed those numbers simply didn’t stack up in today’s
market.

They weren’t reckless with money. They weren’t unrealistic. They just didn’t have clarity.

Without professional advice, it’s easy to look at headlines, interest rates, or online calculators and conclude that buying a home is something to revisit “one day”. For this family, that mindset had quietly turned into a belief that buying wasn’t possible at all.

That changed when they were referred to The Mortgage Hub by a mutual connection.

The First Conversation: Understanding the Full Picture

The turning point wasn’t a product or a rate – it was a conversation.

Our first step was to properly understand their situation, rather than jumping to conclusions. That meant looking closely at:

• Household income and stability
• Living costs and financial commitments
• Their deposit position and KiwiSaver eligibility
• Their short- and long-term goals as a family

Rather than focusing on what they couldn’t do, we focused on what was possible within current first home lending options.

Many buyers aren’t aware that first home loans with a 5% deposit may be available, depending on the lender, the borrower profile, and the property itself. This is where tailored advice makes a real difference – because not every situation fits a generic calculator.

Exploring the Right Options

Once we had a clear picture, we explored first home loan structures that aligned with their circumstances. This included assessing:

• Lenders open to low-deposit lending
• Servicing capacity based on real, not assumed, numbers
• The type of property that would best support their application

Importantly, we also discussed what buying would realistically look like – including repayments, buffers for rate changes, and how ownership would fit into their family life. This wasn’t about stretching limits; it was about making an informed, sustainable decision.

The Outcome: A Brand-New Townhouse

Fast forward from that first conversation, and the result speaks for itself.

This family is now the owner of a brand-new townhouse – something they never believed was achievable when they walked through our door.

The key takeaway is simple: nothing about their financial situation dramatically changed overnight. What changed was their understanding of their options.

If they hadn’t spoken to a broker, they likely would have continued assuming home ownership was years away – or not possible at all.

Why This Matters for First Home Buyers

This case study isn’t unique. We see this scenario regularly.

Many capable buyers remove themselves from the market before getting proper advice. They underestimate their borrowing capacity, misunderstand deposit requirements, or assume lending rules apply universally, when in reality they vary by lender and circumstance.

At The Mortgage Hub, our role isn’t to sell a dream – it’s to provide clarity.

Sometimes the outcome is a clear “not yet”. But often, like in this case, the outcome is very different from what people expect.

Thinking About Buying?

If you’re unsure whether you can buy, or you’ve already decided it’s not possible, we encourage you to have a conversation with us before ruling it out.

Sometimes, that single conversation is the difference between waiting indefinitely and moving into your own home.