That Home Loan Hub
Welcome to That Home Loan Hub, your ultimate guide to mastering the world of home loans and property. I'm Zebunisso Alimova, here to simplify the complexities of real estate and provide you with expert insights and the latest trends.
Whether you're a first-time homebuyer, an experienced investor, or simply curious about the property market, this podcast is for you. Join me each week as we unlock the secrets to property success and help you make informed decisions. Let's dive into the world of property together!
That Home Loan Hub
Flying Solo: Property Ownership Without a Partner
Breaking free from one of property's biggest myths, this episode confronts the widespread belief that you need a partner to buy a home. As a mortgage advisor who's helped countless solo buyers secure their own slice of the world, I'm passionate about setting the record straight: your relationship status has zero impact on your ability to get a mortgage.
The truth? Banks care about your income, deposit, credit history, and financial health—not whether you're single or coupled up. Many solo buyers actually present as stronger applicants because they maintain complete control over their spending habits with no messy joint finances to navigate. While buying on one income presents certain challenges, it's far from impossible.
Deposit requirements aren't as steep as many believe. Through the Kāinga Ora First Home Loan, eligible buyers can enter the market with just 5% saved. Even outside government schemes, many lenders will consider 10% deposits from applicants with good financial hygiene—clean bank statements, stable employment, and manageable debt levels.
I share Amy's inspiring journey—a single mother who was told by her bank that her income wasn't enough and she needed a partner to qualify. Working together, we secured approval through a non-bank lender, and two months later, she held keys to her own home. Her tearful realization—"I didn't know I could do this without a man"—perfectly captures why this conversation matters.
Whether you're single, divorced, widowed, or simply choosing independence, your homeownership dreams are valid and achievable. Your name, your loan, your front door—it's a love story you write for yourself. Ready to start your solo buying journey? Let's build your homeownership plan together.
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You don't need a partner to buy property. Solo buyers, this one's for you, kia ora, and welcome back to that Home Loan Hub. I'm your host, zibunisa Alimova, mortgage advisor, mom of four and your biggest cheerleader when it comes to making smart moves with money. Now, today, I want to speak directly to all the solo buyers out there. Maybe you're single, divorced, widowed or just doing life on your own terms, and maybe you've been thinking I'd love to buy a home, but I probably need a partner to do it Wrong. Let me tell you something you don't need a second name on a loan to own a piece of the world. This episode is for the independent legends, especially women, who are ready to make it happen. Solo, let's go. Solo doesn't mean stuck.
Speaker 1:A lot of people assume that buying on one income equals impossible. It's harder, sure, but not impossible. Banks don't require you to be in a couple. They care about your income, your deposit, your credit history and your overall financial health. If those pieces are strong, being single doesn't matter. You can still be approved, and actually many of my strongest applicants are solo buyers because they have full control over their spending no messy joint finances and solid routines. In fact, a lot of my solo buyers are amazing at budgets as well. Now let's talk numbers deposit and income. You don't need 20% to buy. Let me repeat that, you do not need 20%. With the Kayanga Auto First Home Loan, you can buy with as little as 5% deposit. There are property and income caps, yes, but an incredible option for single buyers. Even outside of that, many banks will consider 10% deposit. With good financial hygiene. That means clean bank statements, stable employment, manageable debt levels and no random $800 sheen orders during the pre-approval process.
Speaker 1:Now let's look at a case study Amy the self-made queen. Let me tell you about Amy. She's a single mom of two working full-time in healthcare. She came to me thinking she had no chance. She'd been told by her bank that her income wasn't enough and that she needed a partner to get across the line A story we hear too often. I reviewed her situation and saw immediately she was 90% of the way there. Her deposit was 10%, her credit was clean, she had no debt and, most importantly, she was determined. We applied through a non-bank lender, used a low deposit product and guess what? Two months later, she had her own keys to her own home and live in.
Speaker 1:She cried when she got that approval. Guess what? I cried too. And the best part? She said I didn't know I could do this without a man. You absolutely can. You don't need a man to make it happen. And look for those solo mans out there. You don't need a woman to make this happen. You can do it on your own.
Speaker 1:Now, what makes a strong solo buyer? If you're going to do it alone, here is what really helps. Listen up Proof of income stability. We need you on consistent salary or self-employed earnings for more than 12 months. We need low debt levels. So personal loans, credit cards, afterpays keep them in check or close them up entirely if you can do so.
Speaker 1:Realistic budget Don't shoot for that $1 million house on a $70,000 income. Be smart. Look where it's affordable and really important. Good bank account conduct. Lenders look at the last three months of your spending, keep it tidy and, of course, get a mortgage advisor on your team. Hello, that's me. And what if you're starting from scratch? Even if you're not ready today, we can build a plan.
Speaker 1:I work with solo buyers who are six months out and 12 months out and we do things like setting up a saving strategy, paying off bad debt, fixing credit scores, choosing the right KiwiSaver fund. You don't need to have it all figured out before you reach out. That's what I'm here for, and so is my team. And to every woman, every solo dad, every independent human listening, I want you to hear this you are enough. You can buy a home on your own and you don't need to wait for someone else to come along and complete the plan. Your name, your loan, your front door let's go get it. Thanks for tuning in to that Home Loan Hub. If this episode lit a fire in you, share it with a friend, follow the podcast and message me. Let's build your solo home ownership plan together, because owning your own home wow, that's a love story you write for yourself.
