What do Central Bank tweaks mean for home buyers?

The changes could, on balance, make things a little easier for first-time buyers - but with supply tight, getting a mortgage is only half the battle

Central Bank deputy governor Sharon Donnery, governor Philip Lane and deputy governor prudential regulation Ed Sibley. Pic: RollingNews.ie

Just over three years ago, the Central Bank first mooted plans totighten up lending conditions in the mortgage market.

In early October 2014, a consultation paper outlining plans for bigger deposits and smaller loans was published. It indicated that the Central Bank wanted to impose 20 per cent deposits across the board for all home-buyers.

Banks saw a flurry of mortgage applications in the run-up to Christmas 2014 as potential buyers rushed to ...