Westpac offers online house hunting tool

The website – www.homeclub.co.nz - allows users to collect, compare and store properties they are interested in, and provides information such as QV valuations, comparative sales, multiple views of the location with Google maps, mortgage calculators and the bank’s loan specialists.

General Manager Retail Bank Gai McGrath said: “It’s the way we are evolving, using technology to add value for our customers beyond the traditional services. HomeClub is a New Zealand first, and soon Kiwis will be able to select and get pre-approval within Homeclub.”

Over the past two years, Westpac has seen a 30% increase in the number of home loan inquiries made via its website.
percent increase in the number of home loan enquiries coming via its website.

McGrath said: “New Zealanders have moved on from the more traditional method of acquiring key information from scouring property magazines, beating the feet around open homes, spending time sourcing land valuations and other information before going about the purchase process. Using HomeClub, this can be achieved in just a few clicks.”

HomeClub allows users to directly import their TradeMe property watchlist into their HomeClub profile.

McGrath says HomeClub taps into the Kiwi property obsession and will have broader appeal than just for those actively house hunting.

“Even if people aren’t necessarily looking at buying right now, HomeClub will be just as useful for keeping up with the Joneses, seeing how their current property compares to others on the market in the same area, or looking to see what their next move might be.”