Get yourself ‘mortgage-ready’

Getting approval to buy your first home has become easier – but it’s still a complicated process that requires plenty of planning.

For the past five years, first-time buyers have struggled to get mortgage approval.

For the past five years, first-time buyers have struggled to get mortgage approval. Slowly, that is starting to change.

Bank of Ireland figures show that between October 2012 and February 2014 the bank approved €2 billion in mortgages for first-time buyers, with a further fund of €2 billion available.

With more mortgage credit available, lenders are now encouraging first-time buyers to apply for their first mortgage. But gaining approval is still a complicated ...