Whether you are one of the chosen few who has money to spare in this volatile world economy, or you were strangely left unaffected by the economic recession that plagued the entire Western economic bloc, if you have the money to buy a home, take this first time mortgage buyers advice, consider yourself lucky and do it as soon as possible.
If you are lucky enough to be a first time buyer in this environment, especially in Ireland, you may actually have even better luck than someone without a first time mortgage opportunity. The government has started many programs that can actually serve as your complete down payment if you are savvy enough to understand how to use the programs for a first time mortgage.
Beyond that, there are some things that every first time buyer should know in general. This article will discuss some of those kits that are relevant at all times, no matter when you are buying your first home.
How to get the lowest mortgage interest rate
In order to get the lowest mortgage interest rate possible as first time buyers, you must know the difference between a fixed and variable mortgage. A fixed mortgage is a mortgage interest rate that will stay the same no matter what. A variable mortgage is a mortgage rate that changes with the market. For most underwriters of mortgages, they will be much more willing to offer you a low teaser rate on a variable mortgage, hoping that they will be able to raise the rate later as interest rates rise in the market. Although you may not get as low of an initial interest rate with a fixed mortgage, you can definitely save money on a first time mortgage if market conditions fluctuate.
Consider the term of your Mortgage; especially in Ireland
Make sure you take an assessment of the market throughout the period that you expect to be your term. The shorter that your term is, the better that it will be for you to take advantage of a variable mortgage rate package, as the bank or the underwriter will have much less time in which to raise the mortgage rate on you. Banks love to do this in Ireland.
Consider your down payment and your current financial situation
The prevailing notion of having 20% of the total house payment to put down as a down payment is good first time mortgage buyers advice because you can avoid extra interest and insurance costs which will save you thousands over the life of the mortgage. However, if you have a home that you are planning to stay in for longer than a decade, you should not let these charges stop you from buying the house.
In a time period over a decade, the opportunity cost is greater not buying the house because of the utility that you will be foregoing if you do not make the purchase.
Consider your emergency accounts
First time buyers advice is that you should have six months worth of mortgage payments set aside in a savings account is never bad advice, no matter the economic market. This is to protect against sudden unemployment or other cash flow problems that you may have during the life of your mortgage.
