Mortgage Myths Busted

Mortgages for anyone can be confusing, especially for young people or first time home-buyers. There are several common misconceptions or myths when talking about mortgages. Here we will set the record straight and bust those mortgage myths. 

It is NOT true that you have to be an existing member of a bank to get approved for a mortgage. Mortgage applications are assessed on a case to case basis. Being established at a bank already does not affect the outcome or make you more or less likely to get approved. Existing members also do NOT get better agreements. 

Having evidence of gambling will NOT exclude you from being able to get you a mortgage. Having several transactions to online gambling websites may raise some concerns to lenders but occasional transactions will not strike your eligibility and will not be held against you. 

It is NOT impossible to get a mortgage if you’re self-employed. Many people think if you’re self employed it is challenging to get a mortgage and a home. Being self-employed does not exclude you from being approved from getting …

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When Do I Know If I’m Ready to Own a Home?

The decision to become a homeowner is a significant milestone in one’s life. It represents a step towards financial stability, independence, and the opportunity to create a place of your own. However, before taking the plunge into homeownership, it’s essential to assess your readiness. Let’s explore key indicators that can help you determine when you’re ready to own a home.

Financial Stability

Financial stability is a crucial factor to consider when contemplating homeownership. Evaluate your current financial situation by assessing your income, expenses, and debt obligations. Consider factors such as job security, income growth potential, and the stability of your financial foundation. Ensure you have a reliable source of income to cover mortgage payments, property taxes, insurance, and maintenance costs. Building an emergency fund for unexpected expenses is also vital. Having a stable financial position gives you confidence in your ability to meet the financial responsibilities that come with owning a home.

Debt and Credit Management

Assess your debt and credit situation to gauge your readiness for homeownership. Lenders typically consider your credit score and debt-to-income ratio when determining loan …

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Four Alternatives for Policy Responses to Increased Mortgage Rates, According to David Willetts:

Introduction:

The recent findings by the Resolution Foundation have shed light on the significant impact of rising mortgage rates in Ireland. With projections indicating further increases in the coming years, it is crucial to explore policy options that can alleviate the burden faced by homeowners. In this article, we will delve into the implications of these findings and examine four potential policy responses to address the challenges presented by higher mortgage rates.

 

Creating a New Spending Program:

One approach is to consider the implementation of a new spending program aimed at assisting individuals facing higher mortgage payments. However, it is essential to evaluate the effectiveness of such a measure, considering the income levels of the affected population. Moreover, it is important to recognize that the increase in mortgage rates is a deliberate policy response to combat inflation, and protecting individuals from the impact of this policy may not fully address the underlying issue.

Exercising Lender Discretion:

Lenders can play a role in alleviating the burden of higher mortgage rates by exercising discretion in their lending practices. One practical measure …

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AI Revolution In Mortgage Brokering: Enhancing Performance, Not Replacing Jobs

Artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming various industries, and mortgage brokering is no exception. AI is reshaping the landscape of the mortgage industry, empowering brokers to improve their performance, streamline processes, and deliver enhanced customer experiences. Contrary to popular misconceptions, AI is not here to replace brokers’ jobs but rather to augment their capabilities. Let’s explore how AI is revolutionizing the jobs of mortgage brokers in Ireland and why embracing this technology can lead to increased success.

Streamlining Administrative Tasks

Mortgage brokers often face time-consuming administrative tasks, such as collecting and organizing client information, verifying documents, and performing calculations. AI-powered software and tools can automate these tasks, reducing the administrative burden on brokers. By leveraging AI, brokers can focus more on building relationships, providing personalized advice, and delivering exceptional customer service.

Improved Customer Experience

AI-powered chatbots and virtual assistants can significantly enhance the customer experience in mortgage brokering. These intelligent systems can engage with customers, answer common inquiries, provide basic information, and potentially guide clients through the mortgage application process. Brokers can leverage these tools to provide basic, round-the-clock support, improve …

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Comparing the 2008 Financial Crisis to Recent Interest Rate Hikes in Ireland

In this blog, we look at insightful parallels between the infamous 2008 financial crisis and the recent interest rate hikes in Ireland. While each event has its unique characteristics, examining their similarities can provide valuable lessons for navigating the current financial landscape. We’ll explore the key resemblances between these two periods, highlighting real-life examples to deepen our understanding. So, let’s dive in and uncover the lessons history has to offer.

 

The Domino Effect: Fragile Housing Markets

Both the 2008 financial crisis and recent interest rate hikes have exposed the vulnerability of housing markets. In 2008, a burst in the housing bubble triggered a wave of foreclosures and plummeting property values. Similarly, interest rate hikes can impact affordability, leading to a potential slowdown in demand and a correction in housing prices. These dynamics remind us of the importance of balanced and sustainable growth in the housing sector.

Financial Strain: Increasing Debt Burden

During the 2008 crisis, many homeowners found themselves burdened with high levels of debt. Adjustable-rate mortgages with low …

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The 10 Mortgage Lenders in Ireland

There are 10 mortgage lenders available in Ireland. These include (no particular order):

AIB Avant Money Bank of Ireland EBS Finance Ireland Haven ICS Mortgages KBC Permanent tsb Ulster Bank

Many mortgage holders qualify for a change of mortgage and could thus save significant amounts of money. It is important to compare your options before deciding on a mortgage. The central bank’s mortgage lending rules impose a limit on the amount of money a bank is allowed to lend.

Currently, Irish banks can lend up to 3.5 times a borrower’s annual income. Lenders may exceed the 3.5 loan-to-income limit for 20% of the total loan value in a calendar year. Lenders examine bank statements to understand a borrower’s ability to repay. You will be asked to submit six-month bank and credit card statements.

This post was written by Veronika Pluháčková who was a research intern at Irish Mortgage Brokers in May of 2022.

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Mortgage switching 2022

Last year of the people approved for a mortgage about half of those are first-time buyers. The slowing in the numbers approved for a home, comes as some lenders have already said they increasing their rates. (AIB, Bank of  Ireland, EBS, Haven and Permanent TSB). Around 775 homeowners need mortgages or are switching to another lender at any given time

If you want to buy a house, you have to pay the owner for the house and have to pay your bank for lending the money. Still more than 200,000 households repaying their mortgage on standard rates.

Homeowners should now consider their rates. But there is a risk for those on fixed rates. If they roll out of fixed-term contract in one or two years, the rates could be higher. The prospect of higher mortgage costs is prompting to switch from variable or short-term fixed rates in a bid to the expected increase.

If you decide to switch mortgage, you need a solicitor to take care of the processing, paperwork and liaising. The cost and workload is about half of …

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People Are Shifting to Digital Mortgages, Here’s Why

Digital mortgages are becoming increasingly popular due to the increase in technology. People are more likely to want to take care of everything online. This change came in full swing when the COVID pandemic happened. 

 

Companies and people alike had to go through the transition period of shifting everything remote. Once people discovered that things can be done this way, they did not want to go back.

 

OnlineApplication is a company that decided to make a software that would simplify this process for everyone involved in the process. Helping the brokers, lenders and the borrowers.

 

By providing a point to store all documents safely in one place, it eliminated the need for face to face meetings and stacks of paperwork. Beneficial to both sides. 

 

Benefits to Digital Mortgages

 

Digital mortgages have many advantages opposed to applying for them on paper, in person. 

 

One of the benefits to Digitally applying for a mortgage is a faster pre-approval. The system that OnlineApplication has will go through your data and pre-approve you without the need for a …

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Understanding the Irish Housing Crisis

A housing crisis can be detrimental to the economy of a country. A housing crisis occurs when the availability of affordable housing is rare and you need a higher income to be able to afford a place to live.

 

A housing crisis happens due to a change in supply and demand for real estate. If there are a lot of houses with few people looking, housing prices will drop. Likewise if there are lots of people looking for houses with few properties available prices will go up.

 

The problem with this system is the availability of housing does not have to do with salaries in the area, so when housing prices go up too much and the income does not change it creates a crisis.

 

Digital Mortgages can help people get out of the expensive rental market, allowing them to own property.

 

Why There’s a Crisis

 

Housing is a big part of a person’s monthly budget. For the typical person housing should account for about 35% of their monthly income.

 

When looking at the …

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The In’s and Out’s of Mortgage Technology in 2022

Mortgage technology has changed a lot in the past decade. Keeping up to date with the changes is important, to understand how to simplify the process for yourself while also saving the most money.

 

The future of mortgages is online with the increasing development of Fintech (Financial Technology). Learning how to take advantage of the new ways of doing business will help prepare through this transition from face to face business to online business.

 

Mortgage Tech in 2022

 

Mortgage Technology has improved significantly in recent years. This is due in large part to the COVID pandemic. Businesses and mortgage lenders specifically had to adapt quickly to the sudden shift to an all online business format.

 

This led to the implementation of the digital mortgage application process becoming standardized as no business was being done in person and on paper. Fintech markets are continuing to grow and with this the technology to make financial processes easier is now becoming available.

 

OnlineApplication is a company that makes software that assists lenders with digital mortgage applications which simplifies …

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