Spanish Bank Transforms Irish Mortgage Market

Spanish mortgage provider Avant Money has just introduced a new range of products that have the potential to transform the Irish mortgage market. Avant Money has become the first mortgage provider in Ireland to offer a 30 year, fixed rate mortgage. In this type of mortgage, the repayments will be the same every month for the entire 30 year lifetime of the loan. Avant Money’s new fixed rate mortgages have lifetimes between 15 and 30 years, and offer rates as low as 2.25 %. These new long term offerings were introduced shortly after Finance Ireland shook up the market with its innovative 20 year mortgage. These latest moves by brokers represent a huge step for the Irish market, as product offerings here are beginning to more closely resemble that of Spain and France.

Because wholesale interest rates are currently at historic lows, homeowners in Ireland are more increasingly taking out longer term fixed rate loans. Avant Money’s new portfolio of products includes 15 year, 20 year, 25 year, and 30 year fixed rate mortgages, and the rates vary based on …

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How the Mortgage Market can Return to Normal Levels

Last week the Institute of Banking held a forum on behalf of the Irish Mortgage market in which Deputy Governor Ed Sibley delivered a speech addressing much of what is prevalent in the country today.

It began by briefing the current housing situation in Ireland. Simply put, it’s dreadful. As many are on the pursuit of suitable housing the “toxic legacies of the financial crisis” are proceeding to cause mayhem throughout the nation.

The forum started by discussing the role of the central bank. The central bank plays a much greater part in the overall mortgage market than one may think.

It is up to the central bank to ensure that “the economic and social good of mortgage provision is prudent, sustainable, and that the best interests of consumers are protected. “

The central bank has had to take extensive interventionist movements in the Irish mortgage market since the financial crisis as Ireland typically experiences extreme economic and human hardships when these certain risks arise.

In order for the mortgage market to function properly, consumers …

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