A 19-year-old welder from Hamilton said the answer to owning his first home was working 60 hours, putting a pause on his social life and driving a “sh** car”.
Local Hamiltonian, Zack Kendrick, has just recently taken the keys to his first home after saving hard for two years.
Kendrick managed to save $27,000 over two years, which was enough to make a low-deposit loan and purchase a three-bedroom unit in Hamilton for $520,000.
He told property website OneRoof that one of the best things he did was buy a 2001 Toyota Corolla instead of borrowing money for a flash ride.
“I just drive a sh** car,” he said.
“I pretty much work 60 hours a week, six days a week, I don’t go out with my friends, I spend all my time at work and saving money,” Kendrick added.
He had initially brushed off the idea of owning a home but after he had met his partner, Lily Davey, whose parents own the LJ Hooker Hamilton City franchise he gave it some serious thought.
Davey’s mother suggested that he move in with them instead of paying rent for a property he was never at, which allowed him to save more money.
Kendrick said living with real estate agents gave him a better understanding of houses and the property market.
With the help of a mortgage broker and the Kainga Ora First Home Loan, Kendrick and Davey were able to find a three-bedroom unit in Hamilton East for $520,000 and settled last month.
Photo Credit: OneRoof
