10 New Zealand homes to buy for $250,000

Photo / Thinkstock

Earlier this year, we took the average New Zealand household income of $64,000 and used this to discover what houses were available to rent for $450 per week.

Using the same income, we now investigate Kiwi home affordability.

We visited the Kiwi Bank Home Loan Mortgage Calculator and entered the income of $64,000 with a $50,000 deposit and were told we could borrow up to $200,000 - noting that this does not take into account any benefits, children or other influences.

Armed with this information, we took to Trade Me to discover what houses, units or townhouses were available for $250,000.

1. Auckland City

There were no houses or units with two or more bedrooms for under $250,000 available in Auckland city - unless they were lease hold. However, we did find a townhouse in Mt Wellington with two bedrooms and one bathroom, and "a surprising amount of storage".

The catch? It's a leaky building and the overseas vendor is selling it in an "as is" condition.

Price: $249,000

View: Remediation Is On Its Way!

2. Waitakere, Auckland

Moving further west doesn't provide much hope for potential home owners in Auckland either. Aside from a Swanson leasehold property, there was only a three bedroom house in Glen Eden. With a spacious open plan living, private courtyard and lock up, internal access garaging, it seems a good option. However, it has "weather tightness issues".

Price: $249,000

View: Project for Weather Tightness Savvy Buyer

3. Manurewa, Auckland

Heading south, we did find one two bedroom, one bathroom property for sale. Selling as an investment with a good tenant or a first time home buyer, this unit has a floor area of 62m2, a car port and a low maintenance section.

Price: Enquiries over $222,000

View: Affordable Investment (Good Tenant!) / First Home

4. Franklin, Auckland

A little further out and there are many more options for house hunters. We found a gem with three bedrooms and one bathroom. Floor area is 136m2 and land area 642m2. It has solid timber construction, polished floors, harbour views and its own water bore.

Price: $240,000

View: Home by the beach

5. Rotorua

The best option for affordability in the Bay of Plenty seems to be Rotorua, with lots of houses available for under $200,000. We found a house with three double bedrooms and open plan living with a combined garage and workshop. It has a land area of 1057m2, fruit trees as well as an extra sleep out.

Price: $217,000

View: A Home To Cherish!

6. Stratford, Taranaki

There are also plenty of options for buying in Taranaki. We found a four bedroom, two bathroom house in Stratford. It also has an office and spacious deck area and backs on to school grounds.

Price: $249,000

View: Desperate To Be Sold

7. Wellington

We found 20 properties in Wellington. All but one - which "has been sadly neglected" - had no more than two bedrooms available. We found a two bedroom, one bathroom house in Tawa. It's described as a 1940s gem, retaining much of its original characteristics and uniqueness.

Price: $245,000

View: Oh So Cute & Affordable Too

8. Buller, West Coast

Looking on the West Coast reveals plenty of properties within the $200,000 - $250,000 price range, but many are still only two bedrooms. We found a four bedroom home with one bathroom on a 1659m2 land area. With an RV of $455,000 its asking price of $250,000 is significantly lower. Listed in January, it has a sunny deck and says it is "certainly one for the family."

Price: $250,000

View: Looking For A Home For The Family?

9. Christchurch City

While there are plenty of options in the Canterbury area, finding anything over two bedrooms at this price is difficult. A three bedroom, one bathroom property is available in Aranui. Its floor area is 90m2 and is on a land area of 657m2 and comes with an alarm, insulation and a heat pump. Its single garage comes with extra storage space which could be used as a hobby room.

Price: $246,000

View: Investors / First Homebuyers!

10. Dunedin

Dunedin offers many houses for sale within the price range and many with three or four bedrooms. We found a three bedroom (possibly four), one bathroom home in Caversham, Dunedin. It has a floor area of 133m2, open plan living and dining and heat pump. It is fully enclosed with off-street parking and a garden.

Price: $240,000

View: Spacious Family Home

- nzherald.co.nz