Home Loans Christchurch

Buying your first home, moving house or refinancing? Get clear home loan advice, compare lender options and understand what to do next.

Canterbury Home Loans helps Christchurch buyers and homeowners understand their borrowing position, prepare for lender assessment and compare suitable options across more than 20 New Zealand banks and lenders.

You work directly with Duane Aarts, a Christchurch mortgage adviser with more than 25 years of banking and home lending experience, from the first conversation through to approval and settlement.

Mortgage Calculator Getting Pre-Approved Home Loan Process

Canterbury Home Loans Google reviews badge

CLIENT REVIEWS

Trusted By Home Buyers Across Christchurch And Canterbury

Choosing a mortgage adviser is a trust decision. Canterbury Home Loans has 130+ five-star Google reviews from first-home buyers, home movers, refinancers and other property buyers.

      EXCELLENT  
   Based on 135 reviews 
    
 
 
 
   
 
 
       Posted on Google  
   
   Andrew Nicholas 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Duane from Canterbury Home Loans was outstanding.
He was able to make things happen in a very short time and under a lot of pressure.  He kept me informed of the progress and went out of his way to make sure everything worked with the bank and that I was happy with the results.
I would HIGHLY recommend Duane and his team.
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Scott Taylor 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Brilliant, used on first home buy and now a refinance 3 years later.
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Jiří Moravec 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Duane is very knowledgeable, organized, and transparent, and makes the whole experience shorter and more enjoyable. Along with guidance, Duane send us an email with all the information we needed in an easily-digestible form.

Duane is arguably one of the best-rated mortgage advisers in Christchurch and has an excellent reputation among other professionals working in the industry. When we mentioned that our mortgage adviser is Duane, the usual reaction was "Oh, that is good, then you are in good hands."

We have used Duane both in-person and remotely, when buying house in different city, and in both cases the experience was excellent.

Cindy and Jirka
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Mark P 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. More than happy with professional, well explained service with attention to detail. Will use again and will be recommending to family and friends.
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   AndyEsploringEhPlaces 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Seems like 5 stars is consistent across the board for Duane and the Canterbury Home Loans team. I appreciate all the help and guidance that we received and the best part was the "understanding what's next" steps clearly listed. Buying a home was definitely not an easy task and I felt Duane gave me the time of day and peace of mind I needed to feel comfortable moving forward. Thanks Duane for your help and I look forward to watching your success in the business grow and hopefully that also translates into new neighbors for me. Job well done!
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Luke Shortland 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Duane was excellent throughout the whole process. He made everything straightforward, communicated clearly and was always quick to respond. He found us a great lending outcome and kept everything moving quickly from application through to settlement. Would happily recommend him to anyone looking for a mortgage broker.
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Aaron Krueger 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Duane was fantastic to work with. He made the whole mortgage process simple and stress-free, was always available to answer questions, and provided excellent advice. Highly recommend!
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Pieta Surridge 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Duane has been so wonderful to work with. My partner and I have been working with him for a few months and he helped us through the whole process. We are really grateful for Duane and could not recommend him more! We have referred him to many friends and family and will continue to do so.

HOME LOAN ADVICE

Home Loan Help For The Stage You Are At Now

Home loan advice should help you understand what you can afford, which lenders may fit your situation and what needs to happen before you make a major property decision.

FIRST-HOME BUYERS

Buying Your First Home

Work through your deposit, KiwiSaver timing, borrowing position, documents and pre-approval before you start relying on a purchase price.

Start The First Home Buyers Guide

MOVING TO YOUR NEXT HOME

Selling And Buying Your Next Home

Understand how your sale proceeds, existing lending, usable equity, new purchase and settlement timing can fit together before you commit to the next property.

Plan Your Next Home Move

Using Equity To Buy Your Next Home Buying And Selling At The Same Time

REFINANCING

Comparing A Move To Another Bank

Review whether another lender may offer a better overall fit after allowing for loan structure, rates, cashback conditions, possible break costs and legal costs.

Explore the refinancing guide

NEW BUILDS

Building Or Buying A New Home

Check how the contract, deposit, valuation, approval period, settlement or progressive drawdowns may affect the finance before you sign.

Read The New Build Home Loan Guide

Not Sure Which Starting Point Fits?

A free initial conversation can help identify the information and next step that matter most for your situation.

Book Your Free Home Loan Chat

CHOOSING A HOME LOAN

A Good Home Loan Decision Needs More Than A Rate

The most suitable lender is the one that can assess your position sensibly and provide lending that fits the property, your finances and the way you want to manage repayments.

Two banks can look at the same application differently. Income type, deposit size, existing debts, account conduct, property type and lender policy may all affect what is available.

Canterbury Home Loans compares suitable lender options, explains the trade-offs and helps you understand the overall package before you decide.

Compare Mortgage Broker vs Bank Direct Try The Mortgage Calculator

01

Lender Fit

Check which lender policies may suit your income, deposit, debts and proposed property.

02

Loan Structure

Consider fixed, floating, split, offset or revolving-credit options where they suit the way you manage money.

03

Repayment Comfort

Look beyond the maximum a bank may lend and consider repayments that feel manageable for your household.

04

Future Flexibility

Allow for likely changes, future refix decisions and the possibility that your property or family plans may move again.

BUYING IN CHRISTCHURCH

Check The Property And The Finance Before You Commit

Christchurch buyers compare a wide range of property types, from established homes and townhouses to apartments, new builds and lifestyle properties. The property itself can affect the lender’s assessment, so it is worth checking the finance early.

Established Homes

Condition, insurance availability, title details, valuation requirements and any property-specific issues may need to be understood before finance can be confirmed.

Townhouses, Apartments And Unit Titles

Lenders may consider the title, size, body corporate information, insurance and overall marketability of the property as part of their security assessment.

New Builds And House-And-Land Packages

Contract type, deposit timing, approval expiry, valuation and settlement or drawdown arrangements should be checked before relying on the finance.

Lifestyle Properties

Land size, zoning, services, property use and the overall residential nature of the security can affect which lenders may consider the application.

Property, legal, building and insurance checks may require advice from your solicitor, insurer, builder or other relevant specialist. Canterbury Home Loans can explain how those checks may affect the home loan process.

HOW IT WORKS

From Your First Conversation To Settlement

The exact steps depend on whether you are buying, moving, refinancing or building, but the home loan process usually follows the same practical order.

01

Talk Through Your Plans

Discuss your income, deposit or equity, debts, timing, property plans and what you want the lending to achieve.

02

Review Your Position

Check borrowing comfort, documents, possible issues and the lender options that may fit your circumstances.

03

Apply To A Suitable Lender

Prepare the application properly, explain the recommendation and work through lender questions or approval conditions.

04

Prepare For Settlement

Confirm the loan structure, complete lender documents and coordinate the finance steps needed before settlement.

Want The Full Step-By-Step Guide?

See how deposits, pre-approval, offers, due diligence, finance approval and settlement fit together.

View The Home Loan Process Book A Free Home Loan Chat

Helpful Guides

Useful Home Loan Guides Before You Apply

Start with the guide that matches your next decision, whether you are checking your numbers, preparing for pre-approval or working through the buying process.

First home buyers guide for New Zealand home buyers

Featured Guide

First Home Buyers Guide NZ

Work through deposits, KiwiSaver, pre-approval, making an offer, due diligence and home loans.

Start The First Home Buyers Guide

Pre-Approval

Getting Pre-Approved

Understand what lenders assess, which documents are usually needed and how to prepare before making offers.

Prepare For Pre-Approval

Check The Numbers

Mortgage Calculator

Estimate repayments and compare how different loan amounts, rates and terms may affect the numbers.

Estimate Home Loan Repayments

Step By Step

Home Loan Process

See how early planning, pre-approval, property checks, finance approval and settlement fit together, so you can make property decisions with a clearer plan.

View The Home Loan Process

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Home Loans Christchurch FAQs

Clear answers to common questions about home loan advice, lender comparison, pre-approval and refinancing in Christchurch.

How much deposit do I need to buy a home in Christchurch?

The deposit you need depends on the lender, property type, your income, debts and the overall strength of the application. A 20% deposit usually provides more lender and pricing options, but some buyers may be able to purchase with less. The right starting point is to confirm what makes up your deposit and have your full position assessed before relying on a purchase price.

Should I get home loan pre-approval before looking at properties?

In most situations, yes. Pre-approval can help you understand your likely borrowing range, identify lender concerns early and prepare before making serious offers. It is not approval of every property, so the lender may still need to assess the specific home you want to buy.

Can Canterbury Home Loans compare my current bank with other lenders?

Yes. Canterbury Home Loans can compare suitable options from more than 20 New Zealand banks and lenders, including your current bank where appropriate. The comparison considers lender policy, rates, cashback conditions, loan structure, costs and the overall fit for your situation.

Is the lowest home loan rate always the best option?

No. The interest rate matters, but it is only one part of a home loan decision. Lender approval, loan structure, repayment flexibility, cashback conditions, fees, possible break costs and your future plans can all affect which option provides the better overall fit.

Can you help if I am selling and buying another home?

Yes. Canterbury Home Loans can help you work through the lending for your next owner-occupied home, including how sale proceeds, existing lending, the new purchase, deposit and settlement timing may fit together. Your solicitor will handle the legal and settlement work.

Can Canterbury Home Loans help me refinance to another bank?

Yes. Refinancing involves comparing whether moving your home loan to another bank may provide a better overall fit. Before recommending a move, it is important to allow for the proposed structure, rates, cashback conditions, any repayment or break costs, and the legal work involved in changing lenders.

Can you help with a Christchurch new-build home loan?

Yes. New-build lending can involve turnkey contracts, house-and-land packages or progressive-payment builds. The lender may need to consider the contract, deposit, valuation, approval period, insurance, settlement timing or drawdown arrangements before the finance is confirmed.

How much does it cost to use Canterbury Home Loans?

In most standard residential home loan situations, Canterbury Home Loans is paid by the lender after an approved loan settles. If an adviser fee may apply, this will be explained and disclosed before you proceed.