Free eBook: The Zero BS Guide to Owning Your First Home: Why I Wrote It and Why You Need It!

At the time of writing, April 2025, it was just 8 years ago that I was a first home buyer - navigating the complex property market in New Zealand, which was still a very foreign country for me coming from the UK.

I found myself overwhelmed by conflicting advice, industry jargon and the sheer magnitude of what was my biggest financial decision after buying my plane ticket to this country!

I certainly had FOMU - fear of messing up. I had a vague understanding of the process, even who to talk to during the house hunting and due diligence phase. I was winging it! And I wish I had a zero-fluff guide to get me through.

That very experience is why I created "The Zero BS Guide to Owning Your First Home" – to share my journey from working as a deck hand on a dangerous fishing boat to property owner and eventually, property developer - with a hope that it would help you navigate the treacherous waters of buying your first home.

This guide is non-biased and covers both new and existing homes - and it’s been written to help you avoid the pitfalls I encountered along the way.

My Story: From Prawn Trawler to Property Developer

I didn't come from money or have special connections. Born in blue-collar Newcastle Upon Tyne, England, I made most of my savings working as a deckhand on a prawn boat in Australia's Gulf of Carpentaria. It wasn't glamorous – in fact, it was downright dangerous (though I miraculously kept all my fingers!).

But, it helped me save for my deposit through "forced saving" since there wasn't much to spend money on out there.

When I arrived in New Zealand as a backpacker, I joined a football team where many players worked in property in some way or form. This network led me to find a fantastic mentor who helped me understand the property market.

Fast forward from purchasing my first home in 2015, I've now bought over 200 properties and developed more than 50 new homes in Christchurch.

The knowledge I've gained wasn't through luck or privilege, but through hard work, networking, and learning from both successes and failures. Now I want to share these insights with you.

The ZERO BS Guide To Own Your First Home.pdf

Why This Guide Is Different

This isn't some generic advice you can Google. There are plenty of resources that offer vague suggestions about saving and buying property, but very few that provide actionable, step-by-step strategies specific to the New Zealand market. Lessons that have come from successes - and failures!

This guide cuts through the fluff and gives you:

Practical savings strategies that actually work for regular people
Insider knowledge on how to structure your loan for flexibility and safety
Clear explanations of the hidden costs that nobody talks about
Proven techniques for finding undervalued properties before other buyers
Negotiation tactics that can save you thousands
Comprehensive checklists for both new builds and existing homes

I've also included my "one person multi-offer" strategy – a technique I've used to secure millions of dollars in contracts before the competition even had a chance.

Who Needs This Guide

If you're feeling overwhelmed by the home buying process, unsure how much deposit you need, or worried about hidden costs and making mistakes, this guide is for you. It's specifically designed for:

First-home buyers looking to get on the property ladder
Renters tired of paying someone else's mortgage
Savers unsure how to take the first step
Anyone serious about owning their own home without overpaying

Why You Can't Afford to Wait

As the old saying goes, "The best time to buy was yesterday." While there are ups and downs in the market for traders, property ownership is about long-term asset appreciation and wealth creation.

Inaction can be costly. Think about those people in 1975 who didn't buy that small cottage in Remuera for $20,000 because "interest rates were too high" or "there's an oversupply in the city." Don't be that person, and don't listen to that person!

This guide will give you the clarity, confidence, and strategy to take action now. Because the sooner you start, the sooner you'll be holding the keys to your own future.

What You'll Learn

The guide covers every aspect of the home buying journey:

How to Buy Smarter, Not Higher: The exact process from saving a deposit to moving in
Money Matters: How to structure your loan, boost your borrowing power, and prepare for financial commitments
Finding the Perfect Property: Spotting undervalued properties and comparing new builds vs. existing homes
Avoiding First-Home Buyer Traps: Common mistakes and how to protect yourself legally
Making Offers Like a Pro: Negotiation strategies that give you an edge
Practical Resources: Budget trackers, checklists, and templates to make your journey easier

Final Thoughts

I wrote this guide because I genuinely believe that homeownership is a path to financial security, and I want to help others achieve what I've been fortunate enough to accomplish.

Property ownership isn't just about having a roof over your head – it's about building wealth, creating opportunities and securing your financial future. My hope is that this guide will help you navigate the complex world of property with confidence and success.

The journey to homeownership starts with a single step. Download "The Zero BS Guide to Owning Your First Home" today, and let's get you on the path to property ownership.

Ant and the team at Rosefern Homes