Bought my house last year, very happy with it, its GREAT having our own house. But really regretting not snapping up a five year fixed interest rate that was at about 6 % when we bought. I say go for somewhere smaller but already done up, rather than a really big fixer upper. One of my great joys is people coming over and cooing how much they like our house - they don't see the small size, just the prettyness, and we didn't need that much extra space anyway. Good luck with it!

We bought our first home just over a year ago. Didn’t listen much to what everybody had to say. We knew it was a good investment and I couldn’t stand the idea of making somebody else richer by paying their mortgage! Our mortgage is with Kiwibank and we are more than satisfied with their service; being the only bank who would agree to structure our mortgage the way we wanted it plus having the lowest interest rates at the time. The thing with people saying the houses are more affordable now because interest rates are low, probably don’t realise that interest rates may go up in the future. So what you really should look at is (at least I think) can you afford the house in the future if the interest rates hike up to say 10-12%.

We are looking into buying a rental property and have noticed that most properties for sale currently go on auction. We did buy our first home on an auction but the price was hiked up by the lady who was bidding against us. It has been extremely hard to find a house which ticks all our criteria and still is affordable as a rental. Real estate agents don’t seem to get the idea that you have a set criteria; all they’re interested is to sell the house to whoever so they can get their commission!

Everyone thinks they're an expert! That's so true. Especially well meaning Dads, and in-laws, who remember 'back in the day' when they bought their house, and can't believe you can't buy an absolute mansion for $180k anymore.

My advice is: ignore everyone else. Make your own decisions. Don't worry too much about LIM reports but get a builder to check for borer in the ceiling and foundations - it doesn't even have to be a 'registered builder'. Also, in the sale & purchase agreement, make sure to include a clause for basically 'changing your mind'. I can't remember what it's called but it's a huge relief to know if you find something you don't like, you can get out of the agreement easily.

Well, I've just been a total hypocrite and given you advice!

One last thing - once you get used to paying the mortgage it becomes much easier. We are in the third year of owning our own home now and hardly notice the payments anymore.

1. Get the place thoroughly checked out before you commit. As the owner of not one, but TWO leaky homes (both investment properties), I have learned that lesson the hard way. 2. Don't put all your money into the house. Keep a fund for repairs and unexpected expenses. These will appear and it's very expensive paying for them on overdraft or credit card. 3. You and Joel should get a Relationship Property agreement drawn up. Sounds clinical and unromantic but it's a VERY good idea. Hopefully you never need to refer to it again but if you do, it will save a lot of hassle. 4. Do not buy into a Body Corporate. You can never get everyone to agree and if the property faces big bills of any sort it will quickly descend into a nightmare.

Good luck!

I don't know anything about Real Estate.

Isn't it friday today? Where are the questions!

I love property, and own four houses.

Follow your instinct Jane and you won't regret it. Who knows, ten years from now (or sooner if the media is to be believed...) most people won't be able to own a home at all, so you would have made the right decision!

My only real estate buying experience was deciding to buy the house that we had been renting. As we'd been there two years, we already knew that we loved the view, loved the neighbourhood and the people, and could tolerate the incredible wind. This made the decision way easier. Plus we didn't have to move house, or deal with real estate agents in any way shape or form.

My take on the "experts" is that they seem to be correct about half the time. When it comes to predicting interest rates, house prices etc.

So, don't get too fussed about it because if you're buying a house because you want a place that is yours and yours alone, then the house price trends over the next five years actually don't matter that much, because the value of the house is that it is yours, not what you can sell it for.

Find the sort of area you like (for whatever reason) and look until the right place turns up. It might not be the most right place you've ever seen, but that's life. Do suss the neighbours as best as possible, but remember that they too might sell at any moment, and the mob might move in next door. That's out of your control.

Jane - I recently (last June) bought my first house with my then boyfriend, now fiance. I was 19 at the time. Soo many people told me I was too young, that we hadn't been together long enough, that it wasn't a good time to buy, rah rah rah. An equal amount had plenty of advice - buy a doer-upper, by in this area, in that area, this many bedrooms...it went on and on. In the end, I listened to four people. My Mum (of course), my realtor, my lawyer and my mortgage broker. It all worked out great, and I am convinced that buying our house is one of the best things I've ever done. My point is, do what you feel is right, take advice from the experts, and find yourself a good real estate agent - they do exist!! It is an awesome feeling owning your own home, and totally worth all the effort at the end. Good luck!!

My partner and I brought a house last May and it was the best thing i've ever done. We were both 20 when we purchased it but we felt the time was right (financially and emotionally). Honestly, just do what you and Joel think is right.

We were getting told pretty much the same stuff as what you said but at the end of the day, if you feel comfortable doing it then do it but if not then so be it. The hardest thing about buying a house for me was trying not to get attached to any houses I saw just because it *could* be mine.

Buying a house is not the huge deal everyone makes it out to be. Just go with your gut instinct. GOOD LUCK!!!!!

My dad has owned several rental properties over the years and as such has been on at me to buy a house ever since I was about 23yrs old. I am now 30 yrs old and no closer to owning my own house (and probably not for some time)I feel like it's the kinda thing you do when you settle down with someone- which I haven't done as yet.