Cancel Netflix, buy a house?

[padding] [If you are unable to view this message correctly, click here]( [padding] [stuff header] [spacer] [padding] Hi {NAME}, You may have seen the meme doing the rounds lately: “Guys, I cancelled my Netflix subscription. I’m so excited to finally own a house. Who knew it was this easy.” In the dripping sarcasm, it would be hard not to detect some serious resentment from a generation effectively shut out of the housing market, as New Zealand’s [average house price climbs to more than 12 times]( the average wage. I was lucky enough to buy my first home as a single person in my late 20s, with a non-stellar saving record, not-particularly high income, and (my saving grace) a gifted deposit. It was a three-bedroom weatherboard cottage in one of Christchurch's less well-to-do eastern suburbs. The purchase price? Just $105,000. Of course, that’s 23 years ago. So while we launch a new series for first home buyers, showcasing homes in lower price brackets each week - such as this [cute cottage on the Wairarapa coast,]( and this [tidy property in Papakura]( - we’re all too aware that, even at these prices, home ownership looks likely to remain a distant dream for many. Have a read of some of our favourite stories of the week (below), and have a great weekend. [padding] [user profile pic] [padding] Joanna Davis [padding] Senior reporter, Homed [padding] [spacer] [padding] [spacer][separator] [padding] [spacer] [padding] [spacer][Homed]( [spacer] Pretty with patio in Papakura [spacer] Finding an affordable property is hard – but there are still some gems out there. Could this first time buyer-friendly home come in within budget? It’s just a short jaunt down the motorway from Manukau City, is a tidy little home, perfect for a young family, or older couple looking to downsize without moving too far from the action. [spacer] [read more]( [padding] [spacer] [padding] [spacer][Homed]( [spacer] Glow-up reno for only $45K [spacer] First home buyers Jessica and Joel Caisley knew they had their work cut out for them with a small Dutch barn-style home in Whangarei – but they were on a budget and on a mission. [spacer] [read more]( [padding] [spacer] [Privacy Info]( [spacer] [padding] [spacer][Homed]( [spacer] Brothers at war in rundown castle [spacer] The heritage-listed 'folly' for sale near Clyde has a fascinating history - feuding brothers split the house in two by building a brick wall in the middle of it in the 40s. And then there's the rabbit tale. [spacer] [read more]( [padding] [spacer] [padding] [spacer][hot take]( [spacer] Having nine dogs 'relaxing' [spacer] It wouldn't suit everybody, but Aucklander Cassie Cocurullo Whitford says having a canine pack that big feels perfectly normal. [spacer] [read more]( [padding] [spacer] [padding] [Privacy Info]( [spacer] [Privacy Info]( [padding] [spacer] [padding] [spacer][hot take]( [spacer] Escape the rat race here? [spacer] The cargo ship stops only six times a year on Rangiaotea-Pitt island. But if you run out of anything, you can borrow it from one of the just 45 neighbours you share the island with. [spacer] [read more]( [padding] [spacer] [padding] [spacer][Homed]( [spacer] Downsizing to a tiny home [spacer] Sheila and Neil Boddington thought “to hell with the mortgage, let’s have some fun.” [spacer] [read more]( [padding] [spacer] [padding] [Privacy Info]( [padding] [spacer] [padding] [padding] [spacer][Support Stuff]( [spacer] [padding] Enjoying this email? [Check out Stuff's other daily and weekly newsletters.]( [spacer] # [padding] [spacer] [padding] Discover more at [spacer] [stuff logo] [spacer] [www.stuff.co.nz/homed](#) [padding] [spacer][footer bar] [padding] [spacer] You are receving this email because you are a opted in to receive the Stuff Homed Newsletter [Unsubscribe]( [Manage your profile]( [Privacy Policy]( Did a friend forward you this email? [Sign up to get the Stuff Homed newsletter in your inbox]( Stuff, 4 Williamson Ave, Ponsonby, Auckland, 1021, New Zealand [spacer] [padding]