SOUTHLAND: In the heart of Invercargill is this five-bedroom, three-bathroom home spread over two levels. The property is on the market asking for enquiries over $450,000.

DUNEDIN: This five-bedroom, two-bathroom home is located less than 5km from downtown Dunedin and is on the market for $449,000.

QUEENSTOWN-LAKES: A brand new home in Albert Town, 70km north of Queenstown. Three bedrooms, two bathrooms with an asking price of $449,000.

CHRISTCHURCH: For offers over $450,000 you can get this four-bedroom, two-bathroom home in the suburb of Bishopdale.

CANTERBURY: North of Christchurch, in Amberley, is this brand new three-bedroom, two-bathroom home. The price is negotiable over $450,000.

NELSON: With three bedrooms and one bathroom, this house on the outskirts of Nelson is for sale for enquiries over $449,000.

WELLINGTON: This three-bedroom, two-bathroom townhouse in Paparangi is on the market for $450,000+.

PALMERSTON NORTH: For $449,000 you can get this 200sqm three-bedroom, two-bathroom home near the centre of town.

TARANAKI: Still under construction is this home in Whalers Gate, New Plymouth. It has four bedrooms, two bathrooms, and is for sale for $450,000.

HAWKES BAY: In Waipukurau, Central Hawkes Bay, is this 2-year-old home. It has four bedrooms, two bathrooms and is on the market for $450,000.

GISBORNE: With 0.71 hectares (1.75 acres), this is definitely country living on the outskirts of Gisborne. The three-bedroom, two-bathroom home is for sale for a little over the national median - $460,000.

TAURANGA: For $450,000 you get yourself this four-bedroom, two-bathroom home in Greerton that comes with a solar heated in-ground swimming pool.

HAMILTON: In the city fringe suburb of Saint Andrews is this four-bedroom, two-bathroom home sitting on 465sqm. It's on the market for $449,000.

AUCKLAND: Thirteen kilometres from Auckland's CBD is Mt Wellington. Here you'll find this 96-square-metre three-bedroom, one-bathroom unit for sale for $449,000.

NORTHLAND: In Whangarei, this four-bedroom, two-bathroom home has an RV of $470,000. However it has been placed on the market below that, asking for offers over $449,000.

So you've got a deposit in your pocket and you're ready to put down roots - but where around the country do you get the most bang for your buck?

During December last year, the national median price of houses sold was $450,000, according to statistics from REINZ (Real Estate Institute of New Zealand).

That was up $23,000 on December 2013, but down from November 2014 by $5750.

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So what do you get for $450,000? We had a look around the country to see what was on offer.

Northland

In Whangarei, New Zealand's northermost city, this four-bedroom, two-bathroom home is asking for offers over $449,000. It sits in a little park-like setting on nearly a quarter-acre, and the house covers 190 square metres. The large, flat section has a bush and stream backdrop too - oh, how lovely.

Auckland Region

It is hard to find anything under $500,000 in the city of sails, but here it is. In the suburb of Mt Wellington, 13 kilometres from downtown Auckland, the 96sqm three-bedroom, one-bathroom unit is on the market for $449,000. Close to the large shopping centre of Sylvia Park, this is pretty much what an entry-level home in Auckland looks like - nothing too fancy, but there's a roof and four walls.

Hamilton

Saint Andrews is a mere 4.8km from Hamilton's CBD, and this is where you will find a four-bedroom, two-bathroom home. The floor area of the property is 154sqm and it sits on 465sqm of land, all for $449,000. Compared to the Auckland house only 90 minutes north, this property is a palace.

Tauranga

Here in the Bay of Plenty is another four-bedroom, two-bathroom home, located in Greerton. The house itself is 200sqm and needs a little updating, but that's OK! The land area is 603sqm, there's also a pool and it's for sale for $450,000.

Gisborne

So it may be just over the national median – this Gisborne house is up for $460,00 – but there is a lot of land that comes with the three-bedroom, two-bathroom character home. The house itself is a sweetie - a 1920s bungalow with a delightful country kitchen, and you also get 0.71 hectares with three paddocks and a developed garden with fruit trees.

Hawke's Bay

This four-bedroom, two-bathroom home sits in a new subdivision in Waipukurau and is only 2 years old. It features timber joinery, custom timber cabinetry and polished concrete floors. It's just under 50km to Hastings, and is for sale for $450,000.

Taranaki

Under construction is a four-bedroom, two-bathroom home on the outskirts of New Plymouth on a 701sqm site. Once completed it's all yours for $450,000, and will most certainly have that fresh-home smell.

Manawatu

In the heart of Palmerston North is this three-bedroom, two-bathroom house that is on the market for $450,000. With 200sqm spread over two-levels, it's spacious and homely throughout, and has a two-car garage. It sits on 480sqm.

Wellington

This three-bedroom, two-bathroom townhouse is in the suburb of Paparangi, 11km north of Wellington's CBD. Asking for offers over $450,000, this slice of capital-city life has just been renovated with fresh decor, a lick of exterior paint and a new lawn.

Nelson

South of downtown Nelson is the suburb of Enner Glynn, where you'll find this three-bedroom, one-bathroom home for sale. Sitting on 776sqm, the house itself is 159sqm, thoroughly modern, and on the market for $449,000+. And how's about that lovely, flat back lawn?

Canterbury

This new three-bedroom, two-bathroom home is in Amberley, nearly 50km north of Christchurch, and the sale price is negotiable over $450,000. It is positioned perfectly to catch the sun and views of the hills, and, of course, everything is untouched.

Christchurch

Located in Bishopdale is this130sqm four-bedroom, two-bathroom home, 8.6km from Christchurch's CBD. Its price is by negotiation over $450,000. It's got plenty of character and will be completely comfortable to live in while you decide how to upgrade this delightful little house.

Queenstown-Lakes

A brand-new house in Albert Town, near Wanaka and about an hour north of Queenstown, is on the market for $449,000. The home has three bedrooms, two bathrooms, and is approximately 138sqm. Close to the Clutha River, this home will offer its new owners minimum maintenance for maximum comfort.

Dunedin

For sale for $449,000 is this five-bedroom, two-bathroom home in the suburb of Opoho. The 229sqm house sits on 609sqm and is less than 5km from Dunedin's CBD. Oh, and have you seen those views? They're amazing.

Southland

In the city centre of Invercargill is this five-bedroom, three-bathroom house that sits on more than 1000sqm. The home has a variety of heating options for those chilly Southland winters, beautiful features throughout, and is on the market for $450,000+.

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