At 50, Christie* didn’t expect homeownership would ever be her reality. After the end of a long-term relationship, she found herself renting and starting fresh. Then a small inheritance arrived, and when she checked her KiwiSaver balance, something clicked. Maybe buying her own place wasn’t as out of reach as she’d assumed.
She started visiting open homes. It didn’t take long to realise she’d benefit from having an expert in her corner.
Getting the right support
Christie’s first attempt at getting mortgage advice hadn’t gone great. “I contacted another mortgage broker who was really negative and could barely even give me 10 minutes on the phone, which was very disparaging,” she recalls. It left her feeling disheartened and questioning whether buying a home was really possible for someone in her situation.
A co-worker mentioned Judy Steiner a local Mortgage Adviser and from that point there was no looking back. “My workmate said that she’d been to see Judy and had a really, really lovely experience with her,” Christie explains. That was enough to give her the confidence to try again.
An experience that felt personal
From the very first conversation, Christie felt at ease. “Judy is such a vibrant personality. I felt that she cared, and it was a personal experience,” she says. Judy’s focus was on Christie’s situation as a whole, not just the fact she wanted to buy a house.
Once the mortgage was sorted, Judy turned her attention to Christie’s insurance needs, making sure she was properly protected going into this new chapter. “I feel safe, I feel secure. I feel set up, you know, should anything happen,” Christie reflects.
Throughout the process, Judy’s commitment was consistent. Christie never felt like just another client. She felt seen, supported, and guided every step of the way.
The moment it became real
With Judy’s help, Christie achieved something she’d quietly stopped believing was possible. “I own a home, I’m in my 50s, I’m single, I own a home. And I never thought that would be possible and Judy made that possible for me,” she says with equal parts pride and disbelief.
She moved in mid-December 2024, settling into her own space just in time for the holidays.
It’s never too late
Christie’s story is a reminder that every homeownership is different. With the right advice and the right person alongside you, it can happen at any stage of life.
If you’re wondering whether buying a home might be possible for you, the team at CM Financial Advisers in Hawke’s Bay would love to have that conversation. We look at the numbers, for sure, but we also take the time to understand where you’re at and what you’re working towards.
Get in touch today.
