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CONTENTS
Getting Started Path To Purchase Different Mortgage Terms Interest Only Loans How much can I borrow? European Central Bank Stamp Duty Rent-A-Room 4 Mortgage Interest Relief 6 Problem Solver 12 Protection 13 What do they mean? 14 Solicitor s 16 Mortgage Brokers 17 Professional Services 18 Notes 19 20 22 23 24 26 27 28 29 Mortgage Options & Interest Rates 10 Your Credit Report
Irish Mortgage Corporation Ltd. T/A MoneyCoach is regulated by the Financial Regulator
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MoneyCoach.ie
FIRST TIME BUYERS GUIDE
Buying a first home is one of the biggest decisions many of us will make in our lifetime. Thats why it is so important to get the very best advice on every aspect of purchasing, including selecting the right property, choosing the right mortgage, choosing a solicitor, protection options.....the list goes on. This First Time Buyers Guide has been compiled to discuss many of the areas MoneyCoach.ie frequently gets questions on. For example, the path to purchase has become an integral part of the initial contact with first time buyers. Other topics include different insurance (protection) options and why a solicitor is needed in the purchase process. MoneyCoach.ie is delighted to make this free guide available to first time buyers. We hope that it helps answer as many of the important questions that will arise during the purchase of your first home. In the meantime, good luck with the purchase of your new home!
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GETTING STARTED
Some useful tips
1. START SAVING
If you dont have one already, now is a good time to open a regular savings account.
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6. RENT-A-ROOM SCHEME
Under the Rent-A-Room scheme, first time buyers can earn rental income TAX-FREE.
7. LOAN TERMS
Mortgage terms can be as long as 40 years, though most first time buyers opt for a 30 or 35 year term. As the term increases, the monthly repayments fall which makes things much easier in the first year or two of the mortgage. Once your financial situation changes, it is advisable to reduce the mortgage term.
8. PARENTAL ASSISTANCE
Banks and mortgage lenders now want first time buyers to be able to fund as much of a mortgage on their own.
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PATH TO PURCHASE
ONE
TWO
THREE
MAKE AN APPOINTMENT
FIND A PROPERTY
SIX
SEVEN
EIGHT
SIGNING OF CONTRACTS
PROTECTION / INSURANCE
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FOUR
FIVE
BOOKING DEPOSIT
APPOINT A SOLICITOR
NINE
TEN
DOCUMENTS TO LENDER
FIRST TIME BUYERS GUIDE
COMPLETION
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PATH TO PURCHASE
(Explained) 1. MAKE AN APPOINTMENT
The very first step is to find out how much you can afford to borrow. Talk to an independent mortgage advisor and they will advise you on your available options. With many different mortgage packages on the market, it is essential to shop around and get good professional advice.
ONE TWO THREE
MAKE AN APPOINTMENT
FIND A PROPERTY
2. PRE-LOAN APPROVAL
This is mortgage approval subject to finding a property. Having Approval in Principle (AIP) means that you can shop around for a property knowing exactly how much you can afford to borrow.
3. FIND A PROPERTY
Once you know your price range, it is time to go shopping for your first home. Search the Internet and property pages in the newspapers and talk to estate agents that can advise you on the types of properties available in your price range.
5. APPOINT A SOLICITOR
A solicitor acts on your behalf throughout the property purchase, reviewing important legal documentation, such as the deeds and loan offer and will advise you on issues such as purchasing with a friend. Solicitor fees will vary so shop around!
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FOUR
FIVE
SIX
SEVEN
EIGHT
NINE
TEN
BOOKING DEPOSIT
APPOINT A SOLICITOR
SIGNING OF CONTRACTS
PROTECTION / INSURANCE
DOCUMENTS TO LENDER
COMPLETION
7. SIGNING OF CONTRACTS
Formal contracts are signed, usually within three weeks after paying the booking deposit. At this stage, the balance of the deposit will be required from the buyer. The contracts are unconditional contracts so a buyer must progress with the purchase of the property at this stage. Not doing so will usually result in forfeiture of all deposit money.
8. PROTECTION / INSURANCE
The mortgage company requires you have a life insurance policy in place to pay off the mortgage in the event that you become seriously ill or die. Similarly, you will need to have an insurance policy in place to cover the property and contents. Both policies need to be in place prior to closing the mortgage.
9. DOCUMENTS TO LENDER
You now need all final documentation that the lender has requested. This will include home insurance, life cover, legal documents and all of the other supporting documentation.
10. COMPLETION
This is where the keys to your new house are ready. When the big day arrives, your bank will transfer final monies to the lender and the keys are then delivered to the new owner.
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INTEREST-ONLY MORTGAGE
Interest only mortgages are where monthly repayments are used to pay just the interest charged on a mortgage and not the actual loan amount itself. They are available from a limited number of lenders.
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SPLIT-RATE MORTGAGE
This is a mortgage where part of the interest rate on the loan is fixed and part is variable. It is typically used by someone who wants to gain some benefit from various options in a changing interest rate environment.
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MORTGAGE TERMS
Long or Short - U decide
A limited number of banks offer 40 year terms. However, the most common loan terms for a first time buyer are 30 and 35 year terms. A benefit of a longer term mortgage is it provides a lower monthly repayment option to the borrower. However, longer mortgage terms will incur greater interest charges over the lifetime of the loan. Below is an example of the monthly repayments on a loan terms:
Loan Amount Loan Term Monthly Repayment
100,000, Rate 4.5% (for illustrative purposes only, actual circumstances will vary) 20 years 25 Years 30 Years 35Years 633 556 507 473 40Years 450
GREAT! LOWER MONTHLY PAYMENTS, BUT WHAT IS THE INCREASED COST IN INTEREST CHARGES?
The longer the term of your mortgage, the greater the cost of interest charged. Using the example above, the total interest charged on a loan paid to completion is as follows: Loan Amount Term 20 years 25 years 30 Years 35 Years 40 Years 100,000, Rate 4.5% Total interest charged* 51,000 (in addition to the borrowed amount) 67,000 (in addition to the borrowed amount) 82,000 (in addition to the borrowed amount) 98,000 (in addition to the borrowed amount) 115,000 (in addition to the borrowed amount)
*Examples are provided for simple illustrative purposes only. Actual individual circumstances may vary.
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*Examples provided for illustrative purposes only. Individual circumstances may vary
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There is no simple formula which first time buyers can use to estimate the amount they can borrow as each of the banks and lending societies use slightly different calculations. Therefore, it is important to get good advice from an independent mortgage advisor on the different borrowing amounts you can get from each lender. Below is a broad guide derived from a number of national lenders: (Examples based on a rate of 4.5%, mortgage term of 30 years). Sole Applicant
INCOME (Per year) QUALIFYING LOAN AMOUNT* (estimated)
Joint Applicants
INCOME 1 (Per year) INCOME 2 (Per year) QUALIFYING LOAN AMOUNT* (estimated)
*All examples provided for illustrative purposes only. Individual circumstances will vary.
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STAMP DUTY
KNOW YOUR STAMP DUTY
Stamp duty is a tax payable to the Government based on the documents used in the transfer of property. For stamp-duty purposes, a first time buyer is defined as a person who has not on any previous occasion (individually or jointly) purchased or built a home on their own behalf in Ireland or abroad. The property must be used as their principal place of residence and it cannot be rented out (excluding the rent a room scheme) for two years after completing the purchase. In certain circumstances, a divorced or separated person may be considered a first time buyer.
N.B. all new homes less than 125 square meters are exempt from stamp duty for all owner-occupiers.
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RENT A ROOM
The Rent-A-Room scheme has been available since 2001 and provides owneroccupiers with a significant option to help make their mortgage payments if and when they choose to avail of the scheme.
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Tax relief is set by the Department of Finance and may be subject to change.
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PROBLEM SOLVER
PROBLEMS GAINING MORTGAGE APPROVAL? THERE ARE A NUMBER OF POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS
For first-time buyers, applying for a mortgage can be a daunting process. Most will gain mortgage approval. However, some will be denied. The following is a brief overview of some of the main denial reasons. Solutions are also included.
PROBLEM:
This is a common problem first time buyers can face when they are looking to qualify for the maximum loan amount. Having too many debts outstanding will limit the total amount of a mortgage a first time buyer will qualify for.
PROBLEM:
Lenders typically look for a set period of time in work and that you have completed the probationary period. Additionally, if someone is self-employed, they can encounter problems gaining mortgage approval. Many banks typically adopt a wait-and-see approach.
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PROBLEM:
INSUFFICIENT INCOME
This is a big reason why many first-time buyers will find it difficult to get the full mortgage amount they require.
SOLUTION: If someone wants to buy a property for more than their individual purchasing power allows, consider buying with a friend. However, just in case the friend decides to move on in a year or two, make sure to get good legal advice in advance.
All problems / solutions provided are for illustrative purposes only
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PROTECTION
Know your Protection options
1. LIFE COVER
Life cover will clear your mortgage in the event of an untimely death.
2. SERIOUS ILLNESS
Serious illness cover is designed to clear your mortgage on diagnosis of a particular illness including cancer, heart disease, stroke, etc.
3. INCOME PROTECTION
Income protection will provide a replacement income if you are unable to work over the medium or long-term.
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3. CONVEYANCING
The term used for the legal work involved in buying and selling property.
4. CREDIT BUREAU
An independent agency that gathers and maintains information on the debts and repayment records of individuals.
6. TITLE
A legal document evidencing a person's right to or ownership of a property. Your solicitor will ensure that the seller is the legal owner of the property and identify disputes or claims against the property.
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7. VALUATION REPORT
This is an inspection of the property by the lender to ascertain its value and to find out whether it is a suitable property to lend on. This is carried out by an independent valuer on behalf of the lender.
9. SIGNING OF CONTRACTS
This is a written legal agreement between the seller and buyer. The agreement is legally binding. If the buyer terminates the contract after signing they may lose the deposit already paid.
11. CLOSING
This is the date the sale of the house is completed. The purchaser receives the keys to the house.
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SOLICITORS
Their very important role
THE ROLE OF THE SOLICITOR IS TO PROTECT THE PERSON BUYING A PROPERTY
The purchase of property involves a number of complex processes and various parties. A solicitor is there to protect your interests. It is recommended that when choosing a solicitor to represent you during the purchase of your new home, you select one that specialises in property transactions. For example, the new home that you will be purchasing will involve the transfer of title, or ownership of the property. What this means is that legally binding contracts will be exchanged whereby you (the buyer) agree to buy the property (for an agreed sum) and the current owner (the seller) agrees to sell you the property. One area that the solicitor will check on your behalf is to verify that the person selling you the home actually owns it and is legally entitled to sell it to you. Among other issues, your solicitor will, for example, also verify that there are no immediate planning issues that may adversely affect transfer of ownership of the home. Another aspect adding to the complexities of the purchase and sale of property is the mortgage. Again, your solicitor is there to protect your interests and make sure the terms and conditions contained within your mortgage contract are as you have agreed and understand them. There are a growing number of solicitor firms who are willing to offer competitive quotes on legal fees, so it is advisable to shop around for best value.
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FULL INDEPENDENCE
Brokers are not tied to any one bank and can offer impartial advice on products available on the market.
COMPREHENSIVE CHOICE
The largest mortgage brokers will deal with all of the banks, which means that consumers dont have to visit or call all the banks individually to avail of the best value on their mortgage.
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PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
SURVEYORS
The role of the Structural Surveyor is to protect the person buying a property
A structural survey is a full inspection of the property to ensure that it is structurally sound. While this survey is optional, it provides the greatest protection for the buyer and is strongly recommended if you are purchasing a second-hand property, as any faults will be identified and you can budget for any necessary renovations. The structural surveyor will recommend any structural building works or repairs that need to be carried out on the property.
SNAGGING
If you are buying a new home, you will need to snag the property before you close the sale. This involves identifying any outstanding work that needs to be done by the builder on the property e.g. plastering, painting, fixtures and fittings. You can snag the property yourself or, alternatively, pay a professional (usually a surveyor) to do it for you.
VALUERS
The role of the Valuer is to protect the person buying the property
A valuer will assess the value of the property you wish to buy and ensure it is worth at least the asking price for the purpose of a mortgage.
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NOTES
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NOTES
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WARNING: The cost of your monthly repayments may increase. If you do not keep up your repayments, you may lose your home. WARNING: The entire amount you have borrowed will be still outstanding at the end of the interest-only period WARNING: You may have to pay charges if you pay off a fixed-rate loan early WARNING: This new loan may take longer to pay off than your previous loans. This means you may pay more than if you paid over a shorter term. DISCLAIMER All examples, illustrations etc provided in this book are done so for illustrative purposes only. The report should not be relied on as a basis for entering into transactions without seeking specific, qualified, professional advice. Whilst facts have been rigorously checked, MoneyCoach.ie can take no responsibility for any damage or loss suffered as a result of any inadvertent inaccuracy within this book.
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