There's No Single Right Age to Buy
There's no rule that says you should own a home by a certain age. The better question is whether buying makes sense for your finances and your plans right now — because a mortgage is a very different commitment to a rental lease, in both directions.
Here's a practical way to think about it, rather than comparing yourself to anyone else's timeline.
Renting
Buying
Signs You're Financially Ready
You have (or can realistically get) your deposit
Whether that's 20% saved or 5% through the First Home Loan plus KiwiSaver.
You've been pre-approved
A lender has confirmed, not estimated, what you can borrow.
You have a buffer beyond the deposit
Enough for legal fees, inspections and the unexpected — without maxing out your savings.
Your income is stable
You're not relying on income that might change significantly in the next year or two.
A useful rule of thumb: if you plan to stay in an area for less than 3–4 years, the transaction costs of buying and selling often outweigh the benefit of owning.
It's Okay to Keep Renting While You Prepare
Choosing to keep renting for another year or two while you build your deposit, KiwiSaver balance and credit history isn't a failure — it's often the smartest move. The buyers who have the smoothest purchases are usually the ones who took the time to get pre-approved, understood their numbers, and weren't rushing into an offer under pressure.