First homes in Auckland for under $600K

‘ We didn't think we could afford to buy a home, but we realise we can.’ NATASHA KING

A new affordable homes project will see 36 new homes built in Auckland on sites previously disregarded by builders who saw the project as too challenging.

The Pukekohe and Papakura sites have been set aside for firsthome owners under the Special Housing Areas legislation, which means the completed houses cannot be sold for more than $578,250.

Under the legislation, the properties are only be allowed to be sold to first-home buyers who are New Zealand citizens.

Aspiring first-home owners Natasha King and Matt van der Haast aim to be the first to sign up for a house in the Belmont subdivision and with their two children have moved from their Botany Downs rental.

King said: ‘‘We didn’t think we could afford to buy a home, but we realise we can.’’

The three-bedroom houses will be on sites up to 260 square metres.

QV figures put the median Auckland house price at $975,087. If the Special Housing Area legislation was applied to this, the maximum price would be $731,315.