By Eddie Biesenbach – Best Mortgages 

If you’re a first-home buyer in Tauranga wondering whether now is the right time to make your move, I’d say: this summer is looking like the most buyer-friendly window we’ve seen in years. 

From where I sit as a mortgage adviser, the stars are starting to line up. House prices in Tauranga have flattened out, interest rates are easing, and—most importantly—loan rules are finally shifting in your favour. 

The biggest recent change is to the Reserve Bank’s loan-to-value ratio (LVR) restrictions. From 1 December 2025, banks are now allowed to lend more to buyers with smaller deposits. That means more flexibility to get a mortgage with 10% or 15% down, rather than the traditional 20%. In fact, many of the clients I’ve helped recently were surprised to find they were already eligible for pre-approval even before these changes kicked in. 

In plain English: if you’ve been holding off because you thought you didn’t have “enough deposit,” now’s the time to re-check your options. Lenders have more room to say yes. 

Rates are also helping. After a few years of rate hikes, we’re now in a very different environment. Fixed mortgage rates have dropped significantly—some one-year rates are around 4.5%—and economists expect them to stay low throughout 2026. For first-home buyers, that means smaller weekly repayments, and more certainty when locking in. 

And what about the Tauranga market itself? Despite all the noise in the media, I’m seeing strong confidence on the ground. Prices here have stabilised, especially in suburbs like Papamoa and Greerton, and there are more listings coming onto the market. This gives buyers more choice—and more room to negotiate—than we’ve seen in quite some time. In fact, I’ve had multiple clients recently find great homes below what they expected to pay just a year ago. 

Summer is also the season when momentum builds. Listings rise, sellers become more motivated, and open-home numbers pick up after the holidays. If you’re planning to settle in Tauranga, this is often the time when the right home shows up. 

Of course, every situation is different. But whether you’re just getting started or you've been saving for a while, there’s a good chance the 2025–26 summer might be your moment. The lending environment is better, rates are lower, and Tauranga’s long-term outlook remains strong. 

If you'd like to talk through what’s possible with your current deposit or income, I’m always happy to chat—no pressure, just real advice. 

— 
Eddie Biesenbach 
Mortgage Adviser 

www.thebest.co.nz

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