Buying a home, for a lot of people, is not at the top of the priority list. Neither is it seen as the logical means to investment and securing future financial comfort and prosperity.

In London for example, houses are extremely expensive and they don’t offer a lot in the way of freedom, privacy and development opportunities. Consequently, most people settle for renting properties and choose to invest in other areas.

In New Zealand however, buying a home is the "be all and end all" of investment options. It doesn’t matter how much one earns, where they live or what sort of lifestyle they lead, buying a house is considered essential for most people. In fact, many people will look at you blankly and with a look of disbelieve if you are over 30 years of age and don’t own a home. The look will be even more intense if you are married with children and have a good job.

New Zealanders generally buy a home for one of three reasons - to rent it out, live in permanently or just occasionally. Buying a New Zealand holiday home is particularly popular, especially for those people who already own a home or several. This option tends to suit those who look nonchalantly away after a dollar note or two falls out of their pocket and gets blown down the street. Yes, owning a holiday home that you reside in occasionally or rent out often is certainly a sign that things are going your way in the world.

A great feature of New Zealand is that it only takes around 2 ½ hours from any part of the country to get to the coast. Looking out to the ocean is highly satisfying for most New Zealanders, thus explaining why buying a New Zealand holiday home on the coast is so appealing.

Owning a holiday home in the north island is highly appealing. The weather is warmer and therefore there’s a lot more enjoyment and reasoning for enjoying the outdoors that surround your holiday home. However, not everybody sees the coast as being the greatest location to own a holiday home in New Zealand. Some people have a preference for the bush, the farm or even a lake.

Either way, the thought of being able to finish work at lunchtime on a Friday and head out to your New Zealand holiday home for the long weekend or the holidays is something that everyone would appreciate. As they say, it’s like a "home away from home".