Latest RBNZ figures reveal first time buyer boom

First time buyers took just over a 16% share of the New Zealand mortgage lending market last month, according to RBNZ’s latest figures, which follow on from a strong level of first time buyer activity in March.

First time buyers received $868m last month, according to the data, higher than April 2017 when just $630m was lent to first timers. The figure also surpasses April 2016 when $789m was lent to first time buyers.

The boost follows the slight relaxation of LVR restrictions in January, liberalising lending to customers with less than a 20% deposit. Lending at more than 80% LVR was dominated by first time buyers, who accounted for $275m of the $449m total.

Overall lending figures paint a mixed picture. Mortgage lending hit $5.37bn in April, up from $4.5bn last April, but down on the $6.5bn lent in April 2016.

Owner-occupiers other than first time buyers put in a strong showing in April. They received $3.1bn, compared to $2.7bn in April 2017, but less than the $3.4bn borrowed in April 2016.

Market jitters and the threat of government regulation continue to affect the property investor market. Investor lending hit $1.26 in April, slightly up on the $1.1bn borrowed by investors in April last year, but way down on the $2.1bn borrowed by investors in April 2016.

Information and analytics company CoreLogic says the strong showing from first time buyers indicates growing confidence in the market segment.

The company said younger customer accessing KiwiSaver funds were beginning to leap into the market. “First home buyers are enjoying their highest level of market share in over a decade. They’ve benefited from their willingness to compromise on location/quality and ability to access KiwiSaver funds and potentially even a First Home Grant for their deposit.”