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Are You Considering a Move to New Zealand? Three Important Things to KnowAre You Considering a Move to New Zealand? Three Important Things to Know

Helene

Aussies have been making the move across the Tasman for years and now Americans are catching on. Ever since election night 2020 Google searches for “how to move to New Zealand” have been trending at an exponential rate. The property market in New Zealand is booming and it has already attracted billionaires from Silicon Valley such as Paypal cofounder Peter Thiel who bought a mansion in the adventure capital of Queenstown in 2011. According to The New Yorker, cofounder of LinkedIn, Reid Hoffman, estimates more than half of Silicon Valley billionaires have bought a house in New Zealand and said buying a house in New Zealand has become a code word for apocalypse insurance and preparedness. Buying property in New Zealand isn’t new for Silicon Valley and has been growing at a steady rate since events like Brexit and the election of Donald Trump, however New Zealand has gained worldwide popularity as preferred country of residence due to how well they have handled the covid-19 pandemic.

There’s really nothing not to like about New Zealand, economic data shows unemployment rate was just 4.4 per cent in May 2018, low cost of living, green rolling hillsides and covid-19 is well controlled with residents back doing day to day activities. All three major cities including Auckland, Christchurch and Wellington get more than 2000 hours of sunshine a year, that’s 83 sunny days and during daylight savings in the summer months it doesn’t get dark until 9.30pm. It is no wonder Australians have been enlisting the services of NZ movers when choosing to settle in New Zealand and there would be no shortage of an influx from the people all over the world in years to come. If you are planning to make the move to New Zealand, there are a few important things to know:

Visa Options

If you are an Australian citizen or permanent resident, you don’t need to apply for a visa to live and work in New Zealand as you can be granted one upon arrival. If you are from another country, then you’ll most likely need a visa before entering New Zealand. You can get a temporary visa if you are planning a working holiday, fit the essential skills category or apply for the a nine month visa under the Silver Fern category which is limited to 300 places per year and targeted to highly skilled 20 – 35 year olds searching for employment in New Zealand. If you are thinking of becoming a permanent resident in New Zealand, the Work to Residence program requires that your skills are on the long-term skill shortage list, be healthy and under 55 years of age, qualified for the job through training or experience and have a job offer. The skilled migrant route to permanent residency requires that your skills be on any of the shortage lists and gives you a 9 months visa to allow searching for skilled employment.

Healthcare

Australians citizens or permanent residents are able to access the full range of public health care if they are registered with the Primary Health Organisation and can demonstrate an intention to stay in New Zealand for at least two years. If you plan on staying for less than two years, you will only be eligible for emergency hospital, maternity and pharmaceutical services. Permanent residents of New Zealand are eligible for public funded healthcare if registered with PHO.

Buying property in New Zealand

For Australians, there are no restrictions to the land value or size when purchasing land or property in New Zealand provided you reside in New Zealand. Australians who live in New Zealand are free to purchase on the same conditions as New Zealanders. However, for overseas people, recent law restricts buying a property in New Zealand for those who do not reside in the country. Before the Overseas Investment Amendment Bill was passed, house sales can be made without restrictions. Those who hold temporary visas such as visitor, student, working holiday or work visas won’t be able to buy land or house and will need consent from the Overseas Investment Office to buy property.

Guide to Renting or Buying – What Should You DoGuide to Renting or Buying – What Should You Do

Helene

The debate for renting or buying has been a hot topic for many years, the great Australian dream of owning your own home was once a simple process that many followed. Rent for a while, work hard and save for a deposit to buy your first home. Nowadays, the process is somewhat more challenging with stagnant wage growth, skyrocketing housing prices, higher rent and increased debt. The demand for flexibility and more lifestyle choices questions whether it makes sense to commit to a large mortgage or rent long term.

Choosing to be a tenant

Greater flexibility to move between properties – Renting can give you the freedom to choose the style of home you live in, although there may be a commitment to the lease of usually a twelve month period, you are able to move onto the next property if you are not satisfied.

At the end of your lease, should you wish to move to another property, there is no costs involved to do so, no fees to pay and other financial obligations. Unlike house ownership it can be expensive to buy and sell, stamp duty fees, real estate agent fees, auction fees and legal costs. All this can add up to a significant amount on top of the purchase or sale price of a home.

Minimal outgoings or none at all – Depending on your rental arrangement, outgoings may or may not be included in the cost. You may pay a fixed rental amount which may include your utilities or may pay a lower rent and pay for your own utilities. There are no unexpected maintenance costs that you will be responsible for, homes do breakdown and do constantly endure maintenance costs, and this could add up to thousands per year. In addition, council rates, building insurance and owners corporation fees are annual expenses that are the responsibility of the landlord.

Choice of location – Being a tenant gives you an advantage to choose the location you wish to live. Whether it be close to work, within a school boundary for your children, within close proximity to transport and shops or right in the middle of the CBD. Having a great location means you are spending less time in traffic or long hours on the train, you have the convenience and more time in the day to spend on something more productive.

Choosing to be a home owner

Create a space how you want it – Home ownership gives you the ability to create and design the space you desire without having to worry asking the landlord for permission. You have the power to hang picture frames on the wall, renovate as you see fit and have the security of knowing you cannot be vacated like a tenant.

Mortgage payments help to work towards a goal – Making regular payments to pay your mortgage builds good foundations for financial goals. Your payment each month is working towards becoming mortgage free and will allow you to be in a better financial position in the future. Although renters do pay for their rent every month, the payments are not building a foundation for tenants but the landlords.

Building wealth – Properties have grown in prices in the past and continue be a sound financial decision. Wealth can be generated from owning property thanks to the rising property prices. Making extra repayments towards the mortgage can save you thousands in interest over the life of the loan and equity is built over time as your loan diminishes. Having access to this equity can open up investment opportunities, build wealth for financial freedom.