If you’re thinking of buying a home in the near future, you’ll need to know about mortgages. This comprehensive guide will tell you everything you need to know about getting a mortgage in Northern Ireland. We’ll cover all the basics, from interest rates and loan terms to prepayment penalties and closing costs. By the time you finish reading this post, you’ll be an expert on mortgages in Northern Ireland!
First-time buyers
If you’re a first-time buyer, there are a few things you need to know. For one thing, the maximum loan-to-value (LTV) for mortgages in Northern Ireland is 95%. This means that you can borrow up to 95% of the value of the home you’re buying. There are also some special mortgage products available just for first-time buyers.
Understanding mortgages
A mortgage is a type of loan that homeowners take out to buy their homes. Mortgages are usually secured against the property being purchased, so if you default on repayments and can’t pay off your debt then lenders will have the right to repossess your home and sell it in order to cover what they’re owed.
Mortgages can be either fixed or variable. With a fixed mortgage, the interest rate and monthly payments stay the same for the term of the fixed deal. Could be two, three, five or even ten years. This can provide some peace of mind if rates rise in the future – you’ll already have locked in a good deal. However, if rates fall after you take out your mortgage, you won’t benefit from the lower rates.
A variable mortgage has a floating interest rate, which means that it will go up and down in line with prevailing market rates. This can be risky if rates rise significantly, but it also offers the potential for savings if they fall. Monthly payments on a variable mortgage will also change accordingly.
It’s important to remember that no matter what type of mortgage you choose, any outstanding debt will still need to be paid off in full at some point – usually when your home is sold.
Loan-to-value (LTV) and deposits
The LTV ratio is the percentage of a property’s value that can be borrowed through a mortgage. This is usually between 70% and 90%, although some lenders may allow a higher LTV ratio.
The deposit you need to put down will depend on your LTV, so if you want an LTV of 80%, then this means that 20% must be covered by the borrower’s own funds (or ‘deposit’). This is called the borrower’s equity.
The more money you can put down as a deposit, the better – it will reduce your LTV and make it less likely that you’ll default on payments in the future. It will also mean that you won’t have to borrow as much money, which will save you in interest payments. The lower the LTV, the better the deal you will get.
Your independent mortgage broker can help you find the best deal for your needs and will be able to tell you what the minimum deposit is for each mortgage.
Interest rates
The interest rate on a mortgage is the percentage of the loan that you have to pay back in addition to the original amount borrowed. So, if you borrow £100,000 over 25 years at an interest rate of 0.75%, then your monthly repayment will be around £400 (plus an additional amount for insurance cover).
Mortgages are generally repaid in monthly instalments, over a period of time called the ‘term’ which can last between five years and 40 years. The longer the term, the smaller your repayments will be – but the more interest you’ll have to pay, since it will accrue over a longer period.
Different lenders offer different rates and terms on their mortgages, so be sure to shop around for the best deal before committing. Your mortgage independent broker can help with this process by comparing deals from all of Northern Ireland’s top lenders.
Types of mortgage products
There are a range of different mortgage products available on the market, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. Here are some of the most common types:
– repayment mortgages: these require borrowers to pay back both the original loan amount and the interest accrued over that time. This is the most common type of mortgage product
– interest-only mortgages: these allow borrowers to repay only the interest on the loan each month, and not the actual loan amount. This can be helpful in reducing monthly payments, but remember that you’ll still have to pay back the original loan amount at some point. This may be beneficial to higher rate tax payers. They could use the money saved to fund a pension which they will get higher rate tax relief. They could then use the tax free element (25%) to pay off the capital.
– fixed rate mortgages: as mentioned earlier, these offer borrowers a set interest rate for the duration of the fixed term. This can be helpful in budgeting, as you’ll know exactly how much your monthly payments will be
– variable-rate mortgages: as mentioned earlier, these have a floating interest rate which goes up and down in line with prevailing market rates. This can be risky if rates rise significantly, but it also offers the potential for savings if they fall. Monthly payments on a variable mortgage will also change accordingly
It’s important to remember that no matter what type of mortgage you choose, any outstanding debt will still need to be paid off in full at some point – usually when your home is sold.
What is a mortgage?
A mortgage is a type of loan which allows you to purchase a property, by borrowing money from a lender and then repaying the debt over time. The amount that you can borrow will be based on your income and credit score, as well as the value of the property itself.
Mortgages are usually repaid in monthly instalments, over a period of time called the ‘term’ which can last between five years and 40 years. The longer the term, the smaller your repayments will be – but the more interest you’ll have to pay, since it will accrue over a longer period.”””
Mortgage rates going up
The interest rates on mortgages have been slowly rising over the past few months, and are predicted to continue doing so in the coming year. This means that now might be a good time to lock in a fixed-rate mortgage, if you can find one with a good deal.
Your broker will be able to help you find the best mortgage product for your needs, taking into consideration all of these factors and more.
What is the best mortgage rate?
The ‘best’ mortgage rate is not necessarily the lowest one available. A low-interest rate may seem appealing at first glance, but remember that this means higher monthly payments;
You need to find one which is right for you, based on how much money you want to borrow and the length of time over which it will be repaid.
Mortgages are usually quoted in terms of “APR” or annual percentage rate – this figure tells us what interest rate (plus other fees) a lender charges when lending– it depends on what you’re looking for.!
Your mortgage broker will be able to help you find the best mortgage rate for your needs, based on your budget and timeframe.
What is a good credit score for a mortgage?
A good credit score for a mortgage is anything over 700. This will ensure that you get the best interest rates and terms available, as well as qualify for larger loan amounts.
If your credit score is lower than this, don’t worry – there are still options available to you, but you may have to pay a higher interest rate or accept a shorter term.
What is an interest-only mortgage?
An interest-only mortgage allows borrowers to repay only the interest on the loan each month, and not the actual loan amount. This can be helpful in reducing monthly payments, but remember that you’ll still have to pay back the original loan amount at some point.
It’s important to remember that no matter what type of mortgage you choose, any outstanding debt will still need to be paid off in full at some point – usually when your home is sold.
What is a fixed-rate mortgage?
A fixed-rate mortgage offers borrowers a set interest rate for the entire duration of the fixed term. This can be helpful.
A good credit score for a mortgage is anything over 700. This indicates that you’re a low-risk borrower, which means you’ll be more likely to get approved for the best rates.
What is a variable-rate mortgage?
A variable-rate mortgage offers borrowers an interest rate that changes over time, either upwards or downwards depending on market conditions. This can be risky if rates rise significantly, but it also offers the potential for savings if they fall. This is usually linked to the base bank rate.
What is a tracker mortgage?
A tracker mortgage offers borrowers an interest rate that follows Bank of England base rates. This can be helpful as it reduces the risk of interest rate rises – but remember that you’ll still have to pay back any outstanding debt at some point.
Mortgage calculator
A mortgage calculator can be a helpful tool in figuring out how much you can afford to borrow, and what your monthly payments will be. You can find several online calculators by doing a quick Google search.
Your broker will also have access to mortgage calculators which can help you figure out the best product for your needs..
How much deposit do I need for a mortgage?
The amount of the deposit you’ll need to provide will vary depending on your circumstances and lender requirements, but it can be helpful in reducing monthly payments by lowering interest rates charged over time. A good rule is:
Can I get a mortgage with bad credit?
Yes – there are many lenders who offer mortgages to borrowers with less-than-perfect credit scores. However, the interest rates you’ll be charged will be much higher than those offered to borrowers with good credit, and you may also be required to provide a larger down payment.
It is worth remembering that an independent mortgage broker has access to products that are not available direct to the public.
