# Solo contractor buying a first home

Home lending · Borrower profiles · P02

A solo first-home buyer with variable contract income, three years of earnings records and about a 20% deposit.

[Back to the study](https://nzbrands.ai/research/banking/home-lending#borrowers)

| Measure | Value |
| --- | --- |
| questions | 17 |
| captured answers | 99 |
| AI platforms | 4 |
| collected | 11 Oct 2026 |

## Read what this borrower asked.

### HL-Q010: Borrower journey

I want to buy my first home on my own. I'm a contractor, so my income changes month to month, but I've got three years of earnings records and about a 20% deposit. How do I work out what I can afford?

[Read the captured answers](https://nzbrands.ai/research/banking/home-lending/editions/1/questions/HL-Q010.md)

### HL-Q011: Choosing a loan

I'm buying my first home and work on contracts rather than a salary. I've got three years of earnings records and about a 20% deposit. Which lenders would you suggest I approach?

[Read the captured answers](https://nzbrands.ai/research/banking/home-lending/editions/1/questions/HL-Q011.md)

### HL-Q012: Borrower journey

I'm a contractor trying to buy my first home. Would a mortgage adviser help with my uneven income, and how would I find one who understands people in my position?

[Read the captured answers](https://nzbrands.ai/research/banking/home-lending/editions/1/questions/HL-Q012.md)

### HL-Q013: Borrower journey

I'm looking at my first mortgage. My contract income is uneven: some months are busy and others are quiet. What sort of loan setup should I consider so the repayments don't catch me out?

[Read the captured answers](https://nzbrands.ai/research/banking/home-lending/editions/1/questions/HL-Q013.md)

### HL-Q014: Borrower journey

I'm applying for my first home loan as a contractor. I have three years of earnings records. What will a lender want to see to understand my income properly?

[Read the captured answers](https://nzbrands.ai/research/banking/home-lending/editions/1/questions/HL-Q014.md)

### HL-Q015: Borrower journey

I'm a contractor buying my first home. I've got conditional pre-approval and have found a property. What should I check with the lender before I commit to buying it?

[Read the captured answers](https://nzbrands.ai/research/banking/home-lending/editions/1/questions/HL-Q015.md)

### HL-Q017: Borrower journey

I'm a contractor with a mortgage. I can put extra money aside in busy months, but I need a buffer for the quiet ones. How should I think about paying extra off the loan?

[Read the captured answers](https://nzbrands.ai/research/banking/home-lending/editions/1/questions/HL-Q017.md)

### HL-Q110: Choosing a loan

I'm a contractor with variable income buying my first home on my own, with three years of earnings records and about a 20% deposit. Which lenders would you recommend for my home loan, and why?

[Read the captured answers](https://nzbrands.ai/research/banking/home-lending/editions/1/questions/HL-Q110.md)

### HL-Q111: Choosing a loan

What's the best bank for a home loan if you're a contractor buying your first home with a 20% deposit?

[Read the captured answers](https://nzbrands.ai/research/banking/home-lending/editions/1/questions/HL-Q111.md)

### HL-Q112: Choosing a loan

best bank for contractors first home loan

[Read the captured answers](https://nzbrands.ai/research/banking/home-lending/editions/1/questions/HL-Q112.md)

### HL-Q113: Borrower priorities

I'm a contractor with variable income buying my first home on my own, with three years of earnings records and about a 20% deposit. What matters most to me is keeping the total cost as low as possible. Which lenders would you recommend for my home loan, and why?

[Read the captured answers](https://nzbrands.ai/research/banking/home-lending/editions/1/questions/HL-Q113.md)

### HL-Q114: Borrower priorities

I'm a contractor with variable income buying my first home on my own, with three years of earnings records and about a 20% deposit. What matters most to me is being able to pay extra or change my repayments when I need to. Which lenders would you recommend for my home loan, and why?

[Read the captured answers](https://nzbrands.ai/research/banking/home-lending/editions/1/questions/HL-Q114.md)

### HL-Q115: Borrower priorities

I'm a contractor with variable income buying my first home on my own, with three years of earnings records and about a 20% deposit. What matters most to me is getting good help and advice when I need it. Which lenders would you recommend for my home loan, and why?

[Read the captured answers](https://nzbrands.ai/research/banking/home-lending/editions/1/questions/HL-Q115.md)

### HL-Q116: Support after purchase

I'm a contractor with variable income who recently bought my first home on my own with about a 20% deposit. Which lenders are best at looking after mortgage customers in my situation, and why?

[Read the captured answers](https://nzbrands.ai/research/banking/home-lending/editions/1/questions/HL-Q116.md)

### HL-Q117: Support after purchase

I bought my first home last year and I'm a contractor, so my income goes up and down. My bank doesn't seem to understand that when I ask about my repayments. Are there banks that are better with contract or self-employed borrowers, and is it worth switching?

[Read the captured answers](https://nzbrands.ai/research/banking/home-lending/editions/1/questions/HL-Q117.md)

### HL-Q118: Support after purchase

Which bank is best for flexible mortgage repayments if you're a contractor who just bought your first home?

[Read the captured answers](https://nzbrands.ai/research/banking/home-lending/editions/1/questions/HL-Q118.md)

### HL-Q119: Support after purchase

best bank for contractors with a first home mortgage

[Read the captured answers](https://nzbrands.ai/research/banking/home-lending/editions/1/questions/HL-Q119.md)

## Which lenders AI put in front of this borrower

The national loan-choice and support answers, with the lenders each assistant recommended.

| Lender or party | Answers | Total |
| --- | --- | --- |
| BNZ | 22 | 32 |
| ANZ | 21 | 32 |
| Kiwibank | 19 | 32 |
| Westpac | 19 | 32 |
| ASB | 18 | 32 |
| Pepper Money | 11 | 32 |
| Liberty Financial | 10 | 32 |
| Avanti Finance | 9 | 32 |
| Resimac | 6 | 32 |
| SBS | 4 | 32 |
| TSB | 4 | 32 |
| Co-operative | 2 | 32 |
| Heartland Bank | 1 | 32 |

## Which lenders AI recommended for the loan.

National choice answers for this borrower. Open a lender to read the evidence.

| Topic | Lender or party | Recommended or named answers | Collected answers | Positive claims | Neutral claims | Negative claims | Mixed claims |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Solo contractor | ANZ | 15 | 16 | 28 | 26 | 6 | 1 |
| Solo contractor | BNZ | 14 | 16 | 21 | 26 | 7 | 2 |
| Solo contractor | ASB | 13 | 16 | 23 | 26 | 7 | 1 |
| Solo contractor | Kiwibank | 13 | 16 | 18 | 16 | 1 | 1 |
| Solo contractor | Westpac | 13 | 16 | 17 | 25 | 6 | 2 |
| Solo contractor | Pepper Money | 10 | 16 | 8 | 11 | 7 | 3 |
| Solo contractor | Liberty Financial | 9 | 16 | 6 | 10 | 5 | 2 |
| Solo contractor | Avanti Finance | 8 | 16 | 8 | 6 | 6 | 3 |
| Solo contractor | Resimac | 6 | 16 | 7 | 4 | 1 | 1 |
| Solo contractor | SBS | 4 | 16 | 7 | 4 | 1 | 0 |
| Solo contractor | TSB | 3 | 16 | 7 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Solo contractor | Co-operative | 2 | 16 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Solo contractor | Heartland Bank | 1 | 16 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |

## Who AI recommended for ongoing support.

National support answers for this borrower, after the lending decision.

| Topic | Lender or party | Recommended or named answers | Collected answers | Positive claims | Neutral claims | Negative claims | Mixed claims |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Solo contractor | BNZ | 8 | 16 | 21 | 17 | 5 | 2 |
| Solo contractor | ANZ | 6 | 16 | 23 | 15 | 5 | 3 |
| Solo contractor | Kiwibank | 6 | 16 | 24 | 11 | 4 | 1 |
| Solo contractor | Westpac | 6 | 16 | 14 | 14 | 4 | 2 |
| Solo contractor | ASB | 5 | 16 | 19 | 14 | 3 | 1 |
| Solo contractor | Avanti Finance | 1 | 16 | 2 | 6 | 1 | 4 |
| Solo contractor | Liberty Financial | 1 | 16 | 2 | 7 | 0 | 4 |
| Solo contractor | Pepper Money | 1 | 16 | 4 | 7 | 1 | 5 |
| Solo contractor | TSB | 1 | 16 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 |

## The reasoning behind the recommendations.

The defining issue is how income is assessed. The answers regularly recommend preparing a coherent earnings record and using an adviser who understands different lenders' credit policies. ANZ has the broadest national choice inclusion, followed by BNZ; Pepper Money is a conditional alternative when mainstream assessment does not fit.

Mainstream banking remains prominent despite the complex-income setup. The question is often which bank can understand sustainable income, rather than whether a contractor must use a specialist lender. Advisers sit between those two routes, interpreting the documentation and comparing options.

Platform matters sharply here. Kiwibank appears in one of the four matched Gemini choice answers and all four on each other platform. After purchase, cash-flow management becomes the relevant job: offset, revolving credit and adaptable repayment structures. BNZ leads the pooled support comparison. These answers are useful evidence of how platforms explain variable income and position lenders around it.

ChatGPT: “Best fit if: Your last two or three years show reasonably consistent earnings, even if your monthly income varies.”

[Read the answer](https://nzbrands.ai/research/banking/home-lending/editions/1/questions/HL-Q110.md) · Answer ID: 53f7a1bb-5832-49e4-8666-7bafc8c08b4a

Gemini: “Excellent for long-term pricing, interest rates, and cash-back offers (if available), provided your financials show consistent or steadily growing net profit.”

[Read the answer](https://nzbrands.ai/research/banking/home-lending/editions/1/questions/HL-Q110.md) · Answer ID: f18f0b12-ceb3-40e1-bbd1-bfbe9b5d01e5

Google AI Mode: “and have clear first-home buyer cash contributions or flybuys/rewards (like ANZ First Home Buyer Bonus or cashbacks if applicable).”

[Read the answer](https://nzbrands.ai/research/banking/home-lending/editions/1/questions/HL-Q110.md) · Answer ID: bb73d309-cc21-4b8b-bf2d-d28580b3172b

AI Overviews: “Pepper Money NZ: Specializes in self-employed and contractor options using recent bank statements or GST returns rather than strict profit-and-loss averaging.”

[Read the answer](https://nzbrands.ai/research/banking/home-lending/editions/1/questions/HL-Q011.md) · Answer ID: a0a468c9-8a0a-49a3-ad25-671dac6e4e54

ChatGPT: “Its TotalMoney offset mortgage can link up to 50 accounts, which may be useful if you maintain a substantial cash buffer between contracts.”

[Read the answer](https://nzbrands.ai/research/banking/home-lending/editions/1/questions/HL-Q116.md) · Answer ID: 4d59dffb-e4ab-4097-8b91-3e310257595c

Gemini: “Keeping cash in an offset account linked to your mortgage reduces the interest payable without locking your money away.”

[Read the answer](https://nzbrands.ai/research/banking/home-lending/editions/1/questions/HL-Q118.md) · Answer ID: 17348b3d-d778-41d3-8ddd-3ff061af7d44

Google AI Mode: “These tier-1 alternative banks often have slightly more flexible, common-sense lending managers where a mobile mortgage manager can actually sit down and look at the "story" behind your contract pipeline rather than just an automated scorecard. [Finch Mortgages]”

[Read the answer](https://nzbrands.ai/research/banking/home-lending/editions/1/questions/HL-Q116.md) · Answer ID: f49ca2a4-c94c-4e27-aa84-87938104e5f7

AI Overviews: “If you retain cash in your business or GST account to cover upcoming tax bills, BNZ allows you to link those separate accounts to your personal mortgage.”

[Read the answer](https://nzbrands.ai/research/banking/home-lending/editions/1/questions/HL-Q118.md) · Answer ID: 4c9d95e2-fdc8-407a-b044-e72ee9283c29

## Where the answers to this borrower came from

The websites each assistant drew on, and what kind of publisher they are. Pick a question group to compare the websites.

### ChatGPT

| Website | Answers with this website recorded |
| --- | --- |
| bnz.co.nz | 22 |
| asb.co.nz | 14 |
| anz.co.nz | 13 |
| kiwibank.co.nz | 12 |
| westpac.co.nz | 7 |
| bankomb.org.nz | 5 |
| canstar.co.nz | 4 |
| consumerprotection.govt.nz | 4 |
| interest.co.nz | 4 |
| luminate.co.nz | 4 |

### Gemini

| Website | Answers with this website recorded |
| --- | --- |
| moneyhub.co.nz | 19 |
| capitalfinance.nz | 7 |
| finchmortgages.co.nz | 7 |
| genesismortgages.co.nz | 5 |
| opespartners.co.nz | 4 |
| dormfin.co.nz | 3 |
| mortgagesuite.co.nz | 3 |
| calculate.co.nz | 2 |
| cmfinancialadvisers.co.nz | 2 |
| indusmortgages.co.nz | 2 |

### Google AI Mode

| Website | Answers with this website recorded |
| --- | --- |
| moneyhub.co.nz | 20 |
| globalfinance.co.nz | 6 |
| mortgagesuite.co.nz | 6 |
| capitalfinance.nz | 5 |
| mortgages.co.nz | 5 |
| dormfin.co.nz | 4 |
| adviser.loanmarket.co.nz | 3 |
| genesismortgages.co.nz | 3 |
| peppermoney.co.nz | 3 |
| finchmortgages.co.nz | 2 |

### AI Overviews

| Website | Answers with this website recorded |
| --- | --- |
| moneyhub.co.nz | 15 |
| moneybalance.co.nz | 13 |
| mortgagesuite.co.nz | 11 |
| finchmortgages.co.nz | 10 |
| globalfinance.co.nz | 7 |
| mortgages.co.nz | 7 |
| capitalfinance.nz | 5 |
| essentialmortgages.co.nz | 5 |
| genesismortgages.co.nz | 5 |
| squirrel.co.nz | 5 |

A website counts once per answer, however many claims cite it. 96 of 99 answers have recorded sources.

[Previous: First-home couple with a 10% deposit](https://nzbrands.ai/research/banking/home-lending/borrowers/p01)

[Next: Existing borrower approaching a refix](https://nzbrands.ai/research/banking/home-lending/borrowers/p03)