Rent It or Buy It:
How Housing Actually Works in New Zealand

Nobody warned me that rent in New Zealand is quoted per week. Or that a house might not have an asking price. Or what on earth a LIM report was.

If you've arrived from the US, or you're about to, you've already figured out that finding a home here comes with its own rules, its own language, and a few surprises. Where do you actually find rentals? Why is the seller's agent the only agent? How much money do you really need to get in the door?

We'll unpack it all in one session, with two people who do this every day.

What we'll cover

• Finding a homeWhere to look, how to search effectively, and how to stand out as the new arrival with no New Zealand rental history.
• The differencesWhat's different from the US, what will surprise you, and the mistakes Americans make in their first few months.
• The moneyWhat you'll need in the bank to rent or to buy, and how bond, deposits, and currency actually work.

Who's in the room

Kimberly MooreReal estate agent · the buying side

An American who has lived in New Zealand for 25 years. Auctions, deadline sales, price by negotiation, LIMs, building reports, solicitors, and going unconditional. She'll explain it the way she wishes someone had explained it to her.

NickiAs the Kiwi Flies · the renting side

Runs a company that helps people arriving from overseas land a rental. She moved here from the UK four years ago, so she knows the questions you're asking because she asked them too.

TaraKiwiAmericans · your host

Moved a family of six to New Zealand in 2013, rented for 8 years because she couldn't figure out how to buy a house. Now she helps over 100 Americans do the same thing.

Come along if you're

• Happily renting and curious about buying
• Desperately looking for a rental right now
• Still in the US and planning your landing
• Been here for years and still not sure how it all works