Mortgages

Seven ways to boost your chances of becoming a home owner in 2024

Plan well, shop around and be realistic about transaction costs in your quest to secure that property

With mortgage rates differing greatly between lenders – from 3.65 to 7 per cent – it is now more important than ever to shop around for the best rate

The pursuit of home ownership in 2024 is more challenging than ever, with demand from first-time buyers at an all-time high and stiffer competition for houses fuelled by rising incomes.

A record 30,000 first-time mortgage applications were approved in 2023, with the median age increasing to 35 on a household income of €82,000. The average first-time buyer mortgage is now over €295,000, making the dream of home ownership seem increasingly elusive.

Escalating property prices and ...