As a first home buyer, Sundays in my life have become rather emotive lately, and I am never quite sure which way those emotions are going to go.  Is it going to be a crazy, happy day filled with renewed glimmers of hope, or a crushing, flat day of dark despair? One thing is for sure, Sunday sure is a crazy day.

There are a few guaranteed things that happen on Sunday now.

I am going to be rushing around the Wellington region like a blue-assed fly, visiting back-to-back open homes from Upper Hutt to Lower Hutt, to Wellington, to Upper Hutt again, to Lower Hutt, all within four hours.

The kids accompany me on this mad dash from house to house, and for their efforts I bribe them with McDonalds at some point in those four hours. I may, or may not, remember to feed myself - usually the latter, except for coffee. Always coffee on THIS day (and lollies.)

I will have to take my shoes on and off a million times (have since learned to wear sandals.)

I am going to be grossed out and I am going to use a lot of hand sanitiser (sometimes even on my feet…) Last Sunday “the gross” (or should I say, the most gross) was the yellowing pink carpet around the base of the toilet in an original 1970’s flat. It was also the enormous dead cockroaches in every room.

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Have you ever smelt the smell of stale cigarettes and cat pee mixed with mildew? If you are a first-home buyer, the answer is YES!

Every Sunday I am going to see some very shady building works/titles/agents. I will be confused; I will not be given the whole story until I pour over 59 pages of near illegible legal files while my 7-year-old chatters incessantly in my ear. Only then I will find out the true story about those un-permitted porches and garages and laundries on the flats plan (or not!)

Shared driveways? Shared potholes more like…

Retaining walls? Or waterfalls, you choose.

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As a first home buyer, I feel like I’ve seen it all. Let me talk dirty to you about dux quest, asbestos, leaking roofs, borer, dishonest agents and defective titles....

Did I mention I am tired? I work and parent three kids. God I am tired.

I am not unhappy however, Dear Reader. I am precisely where I want to be.

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I’m grateful to be a first home buyer (again).

Twice in my life I have dreamt of being in the position of buying my own home and, believe it or not, despite the current challenges I am grateful to be here.

The reality of what (and where) I can buy for my kids and I IS a little stark. New Zealand housing stock is expensive compared to overseas (oh hey there, Aussie) but, with house prices dropping, I now have an opportunity to get into the market that I didn’t have two years ago. And that makes me happy. Really happy.

Some history. In 2006, at age 23, I entered the property market with my then partner with a 10% deposit on a $245k ex-state house in an unpopular suburb. Interest rates hit almost 10%. There were tough times for sure, but we made it (and lots of rice dinners).

That house (since sold) has more than doubled in value (more, actually.) The suburb is now popular with first home buyers. That 1940’s ex-state house is brick; concrete tile and it still stands just fine. I know this because friends bought it off us and I visit from time to time.

Today, thanks to my wise property investing choices almost 20 years ago, I can start offering on houses with a significant deposit.  I’m no financial adviser myself, but I’m not sure there are many investment opportunities that could have safely delivered me those returns in that time.

Speaking of making a wise first home buying decision, there's something you need to know. Read on.

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What the heart wants isn’t always the best.

There are several properties I offered on in my earlier years that I am so pleased I did not get. I know this because in hindsight, they would have financially and/or mentally/physically/spiritually broken me. But my heart had fallen in love, and I could not see past the defects at the time.

A word to the wise - leave your heart at home when going to open homes as a first-time buyer.

Your heart wears rose-tinted glasses (with blinkers on the side) so you can’t see the truth of what’s in front of you. Those glasses have ear plugs attached too, which can render you completely deaf to sound advice as well.

Your heart can fall in love with perceived "potential" and ignore the red flags and risks. The head and the gut wear contacts (if not binos), and they are not to be fooled. Take them with you instead. Your heart will learn happiness when the due diligence is done.

Speaking of due diligence - get yourself a good mortgage adviser, insurance broker and lawyer. They really make a huge difference. I am lucky in that I have access to this support through the team at here at work.

Even better? Their advice is free to you too. (Not the lawyer though, sorry kids.)

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Property has been a good investment for me.

So yes, there are times when I feel like a need a shower after visiting some of these open homes, or after I have been smooth talked by a greasy agent.

There are days when my brain feels fried then refried from working and reworking all the numbers and scenarios that may either make or break my life – but it is good to be here regardless.

The thought of being my own landlord, paying off my own investment and owning not just 10 or 50, but 100% of a property, and what that means come retirement, keeps me going. I have friends who didn’t invest in property when I did and who are struggling to get a foothold today. I also have friends that bought investment property young and are killing it today. I have friends like me who are starting over on their own again and are crushing juggling adult life like you wouldn't believe.

I respect anyone who has walked/is walking/will walk the house-buying path, because it is daunting, hopeful, traumatic, joyous, gross, hilarious, expensive, crazy-making AND completely worth it (rather like parenting.)

So, hang in there, first home buyers. House prices have dropped (up to 20%!) and our time is now. Keep showing up on Sundays. Treat yourself to a takeaway coffee. Eat the lollies. Use your hand sanitiser. Strap in the kids (or whoever else is coming for the ride) and bribe as required.

Cat pee, cockroaches and pink carpets? No problem.

Take your sense of humour with you and be grateful that your time is now.

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Shona.

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Book in a free mortgage consultation with my team here

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About Shona: Hi, I’m Shona, the communications and marketing support person for Velocity Financial. Designing effective communications in a complex industry such as Finance is a worthy challenge. Finding ways to bridge gaps between complex financial information, and the everyday needs of people trying to navigate that world through informed choices, is something that I relish. I love deciphering and disseminating the expert knowledge and ideas of our clever team, into simple messages that speak directly to our clients, who are hungry for more knowledge and better understanding. In my outside life, I am a keen photographer and, like others in the team, I have a passion for the outdoors, hiking and mountain biking. I also train in martial arts and have been known to wield a sword on occasion.

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Disclaimer: Before you make any decisions, discuss your situation with an adviser from Velocity Financial, and seek advice from professionals, such as a lawyer and accountant, to find the best solution for your unique situation.