Easing of LVR restrictions lifts first-home buyer enquiries

Squirrel chief executive David Cunningham says interest from first-home buyers picked up six to eight weeks, particularly in Auckland and Wellington.

“We've sensed a turning of mood in the housing market and that continues, although it's challenged by the fact that banks have put their mortgage rates up,” Cunningham told TMM Online.

“It's part of a wider lift in interest in the market that was already emerging,” he said.

Century 21 Financial's Julius Capilitan says his enquiries from first-home buyers have jumped in the last 30 days from four a week to nearly 10 now, although that has yet to translate into actual mortgage applications.