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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Comparing Mortgages in Ireland to Mortgages in the United States

 

The mortgage market is a vital component of the housing sector, enabling individuals to purchase homes by providing them with long-term financing options. While mortgages serve a similar purpose in different countries, their structures and features can vary significantly.

First, we take a look at the different mortgage types. In the United States there are fixed-rate mortgages which are predominantly offered and provide a fixed interest rate for the loan’s duration. There are Adjustable-Rate Mortgages (ARMs) and the interest rates can fluctuate based on market conditions and typically offer an initial fixed rate for a specified period.There are FHA Loans which are backed by the Federal Housing Administration and provide accessible financing options for low-to-moderate-income borrowers. Lastly, there are VA Loans which are guaranteed by the Department of Veterans Affairs and are exclusively available to eligible military veterans and their families.

In Ireland there are Variable Rate Mortgages which are commonly offered with interest rates subject to change in response to market conditions. The Tracker Mortgages are tied to the European Central Bank (ECB) rate and offer borrowers …

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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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Understanding the Impact: How Interest Rate Hikes Affect Irish Mortgages

In this blog, we journey through the intricate world of interest rates and their profound influence on our mortgages. With recent rumblings of potential interest rate hikes, it’s essential to understand how these changes can impact our financial lives. We’ll explore the key aspects of interest rate hikes, their implications for Irish mortgages, and provide real-life examples to help you grasp their significance. So, let’s dive in and gain a deeper understanding of this critical subject.

 

The Basics: Interest Rates and Mortgages

Before we delve into the impact of interest rate hikes, let’s refresh our understanding of the fundamentals. Interest rates are the cost of borrowing money, and they directly affect the amount you pay on your mortgage. When interest rates rise, the cost of borrowing increases, leading to adjustments in mortgage payments. Conversely, when rates decrease, mortgage payments may become more affordable.

The Ripple Effect: Monthly Mortgage Payments

Interest rate hikes have a direct impact on your monthly mortgage payments. As rates rise, your mortgage interest charges also increase, resulting in higher monthly payments. For example, let’s consider …

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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 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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Irish Households’ savings at record levels

Irish households saved more than 4 times the average amount during the first quarter of 2021, according to a recent study by the Central Statistics Office (CSO). The CSO reports that Irish households saved more than €10 billion during the first three months of 2021.

This massive increase in savings was undoubtedly related to Covid-19 and it’s corresponding economic restrictions. Due to businesses being closed because of lockdowns, government unemployment benefits, or some combination of the two, incomes either held steady or increased, while spending was dramatically decreased. The CSO also reported that uncertainty about the pandemic and how long the lockdowns would last may have forced many Irish citizens to build up an increased amount of precautionary savings, in case money became tight in the future.

When looking at the numbers, it is no surprise that savings grew dramatically when compared to the first quarter of 2020. Compared to the first three months of last year, Government subsidies increased by €1.1 billion, and social protection payments rose by an even larger margin of €2.7 billion.

While the Pandemic Unemployment …

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4 Ways to Invest In Apartment Buildings

 

It is obvious that investing in real estate is one of the best ways you can earn passive income and achieve financial freedom. However, making a decision to invest in apartment buildings needs you to consider various factors. Just like other types of real estate investment, there are various ways to get funding so that you can get started. The funding source depends on your level of investment, the amount of money you have, and the amount of time you want to spend. These are 4 best ways to invest in apartment buildings. 

Buy it yourself

This is the best way to do it. Despite the fact that this requires a lot of knowledge, capital, and time, it is the most rewarding method of investing in apartment buildings. As an investor, you will have the chance to make your own decisions and develop a good plan on how you need the investment to generate revenue. It is important to note that this method is best fit for those people who are ready to face psychological and financial demands required …

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Smart Home Technology and Three Gadgets Worth Having

 

A smart home is a place where connected devices either by Bluetooth or the internet are used to remotely manage and monitor appliances and systems, such as cooking, lighting, and heating. With technological advancements, many cool gadgets now adorn every home, changing people’s lifestyles by allowing homeowners to control intelligent apps for safety, comfort, convenience, and energy efficiency, often using the smart home app on their smartphones or other networked devices. Moreover, the gadgets aren’t just cool; they also provide quick solutions to common problems as it helps people minimize effort and space is saved thanks to the simple design and enhanced functions.

The best smart home devices automate homes, and homeowners can turn on or off electrical appliances, light up, close their doors, and even play a favorite radio station with a tap or even pronounce a phase. One imperative thing to note is that to ensure that different components can communicate, one has to make unquestionable that any smart home device they purchase is compatible with anything they own. In many smart home tech products, here are …

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Why are investment funds buying up Irish Property?

Large-scale private rented sector (PRS) investors, sometimes called vulture or cuckoo funds, have rapidly become a major force in the Irish property market over the last few years.

As recently as 2017, these funds were a minor and insignificant part of the housing market. However, these firms have spent more than €6 billion buying Irish homes, apartment buildings, and commercial properties over the last three and a half years.

The cuckoo funds show no sign of slowing down in 2021, as they have spent €1.5 billion so far this year, according to recent figures from estate agents and property adviser JLL. Most of these funds are backed by international investors, and have quickly become big players in the market, particularly investing in deals for new apartments in Dublin.

But what is driving this relatively new and rapidly growing force in the market?

Analysts say that an influx of cash in European markets, lack of yields in traditional assets including bonds, and the huge surge in housing demand and high rent prices in Ireland have combined to create a very lucrative …

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