Real Estate in New Zealand

Last updated on Feb 01, 2023

Summary: An expat looking to buy a home in New Zealand should start by researching the local real estate market and familiarizing themselves with the different types of properties available. They should also consider their budget and the type of amenities they are looking for in a home. Popular amenities in New Zealand homes include modern kitchens, open-plan living areas, outdoor entertaining areas, and plenty of storage space. Foreigners are allowed to purchase property in New Zealand, however, there are restrictions on the type of property they can buy. Non-residents are only allowed to purchase residential properties that are intended for their own use, such as a holiday home or a rental property. They are not allowed to purchase land or commercial properties.

How do I find a place to live in New Zealand?

We asked expats how they chose their neighborhood and found a place to live. They answered:

"One way to find a place to live in New Zealand is to search online for rental listings. Websites such as Trade Me, NZ Flatmates, and Rent.co.nz are popular resources for finding rental properties. Additionally, you can contact local real estate agents in the area you are interested in to inquire about available properties. You can also look for rental listings in local newspapers and on bulletin boards in supermarkets and other public places. Finally, you can ask friends and family who live in New Zealand if they know of any available properties," remarked one foreigner who made the move to New Zealand.

"Found a great real estate lady who listened and then worked really hard to find our home! Chose our home for the views, close to town and is on the peninsula," explained one person living in Dunedin, Otago - South Island NZ, New Zealand.

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What is a typical expat home or apartment like in New Zealand?

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About the Author

Betsy Burlingame is the Founder and President of Expat Exchange and is one of the Founders of Digital Nomad Exchange. She launched Expat Exchange in 1997 as her Master's thesis project at NYU. Prior to Expat Exchange, Betsy worked at AT&T in International and Mass Market Marketing. She graduated from Ohio Wesleyan University with a BA in International Business and German.

Some of Betsy's articles include 12 Best Places to Live in Portugal, 7 Best Places to Live in Panama and 12 Things to Know Before Moving to the Dominican Republic. Betsy loves to travel and spend time with her family. Connect with Betsy on LinkedIn.