Property Compass
Friendly, considered, practical guides to buying and selling property in Christchurch. Written in plain English, kept up to date, and yours to download as a PDF whenever you need them.
Featured · BuyingThe First-Home Buyer's Guide to Christchurch
Everything you need to know before you buy your first home in New Zealand, from working out what you can afford and your deposit through to making an offer and collecting the keys.
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SellingPre-Sale Preparation: The Homeowner's Guide
A practical, room-by-room guide to getting your home ready to list, the jobs that earn their keep and the ones that quietly cost you money.
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Market DataWhat to Expect From a Property Appraisal
A plain-English look at what an appraisal is, how your salesperson arrives at a number, and how to use it to set a defensible asking price.
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Compliance & LegalSale & Purchase Conditions Explained
From finance and builder's reports to OIE clauses, here's what each common sale condition actually protects and how to use them well.
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ChecklistsThe Christchurch Flood & Hazard Checklist for Buyers
Before you fall in love with a home near the water, here's exactly what to check, from council flood overlays to insurability and LIM hazard notes.
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Compliance & LegalSettlement Day: What Actually Happens
Settlement day is the moment everything starts to feel real. Here's what actually happens on settlement day in New Zealand, who transfers the money, when you get the keys, and what buyers and sellers need to do.
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The Property Compass guides draw on relevant property information, real-world experiences and actual events to help you better understand the New Zealand property market and the process of buying or selling a home. While every effort is made to provide useful, accurate and up-to-date information, these guides are intended for general information purposes only and should not be relied upon as a substitute for professional advice. Every property and situation is different, so before making any property decisions or entering into a real estate transaction, you should seek independent advice from appropriately qualified professionals, including legal, financial, building or insurance specialists where relevant, and undertake your own due diligence.