Mortgages

How to prepare for a mortgage application

The right preparation can improve your chances of mortgage approval. Here’s 8 steps to get mortgage ready, from getting your finances in order to checking your credit record.

As a first time buyer, the mortgage application process can seem daunting. You’ll need to gather lots of financial information, and there are so many new terms it can seem like learning a new language.

Get prepped for your mortgage application with these 7 steps, and increase your chance of success.

1. Save for a deposit

If you’re a first time buyer, you’ll need to start saving for a deposit. If you own a home already, find out how much equity the property has and whether you’ll have enough deposit for the house you want to move to.

Our guide: How do mortgage deposits in Ireland work? includes how much deposit you’ll need and tips to reduce your spending.

Set up a standing order to save an affordable amount each month. Keep the money in a separate account so you’re not tempted to spend it.

2. Check your credit record

Your credit record affects what you can borrow, so you should check your report before the lender does. Here’s how to check your credit record for free and what it means.

If you’ve got arrears on your report, you may need to wait until your finances are more stable before taking on a financial commitment like a mortgage.

Our guide How to get a mortgage if you have bad credit, explains how a poor credit history can affect your mortgage application, with tips on how to improve your credit rating.

3. Get your finances in order

As well as reviewing your credit record, there are some financial dos and dont’s when it comes to applying for a mortgage:

Do

  • Pay all your bills on time
  • Set a budget to enable you to save
  • Save a regular amount each month
  • Reduce your credit, including arranged overdrafts

Don’t

  • Dip into your savings
  • Get new credit e.g. a car loan
  • Change jobs, if possible
  • Allow gambling show on your account

If you’re self employed, chase any outstanding invoices and keep your accounts up to date. Here’s how to get a mortgage if you’re self-employed.

You’ll be required to produce bank statements and credit card statements for review. Keeping your general spending to a minimum will help increase your borrowing potential.

4. Find out how much you can borrow

The Central Bank set Loan to Value (LTV) and Loan to Income (LTI) limits for first time buyers, and those who already own a property.

This helps lenders work out what properties are affordable to you and how much they can lend you.

Our how much you could borrow calculator works out the most you might be able to borrow based on your circumstances.

Don’t forget to factor in stamp duty and solicitors fees into total costs.

5. Research home-buying initiatives

If you need support getting on the property ladder there are government schemes that can help, like the First Home Scheme and the Help to Buy Initiative, among more. Each one offers different benefits, such as:

  1. Reducing the amount you need to borrow
  2. Considering you if other lenders have declined you
  3. Offering the same interest rate throughout your mortgage term

The Citizens Information website includes details of the current schemes available to first time buyers. You’ll need to meet the eligibility criteria of a scheme to qualify.

couple applying for a mortgage

6. Get your documents together

The documents you need may vary depending on the lender and whether you’re a first time buyer, self employed or building your own home.

Typically, you’ll need to provide:

  • Photo ID, address ID and proof of your PPSN (Personal Public Service Number)
  • Six months of bank statements
  • Three months of credit card statements
  • Three recent payslips
  • Stamped employment status report
  • Most recent P60 or your employment details summary

7. Look for a mortgage exemption

Each year, mortgage providers can lend a certain amount above the limits. This is known as a mortgage exemption.

As of January 2023, 15% of lending for first time buyers and second time buyers qualifies for exemption. This exemption also applies to 10% of buy-to-let lending.

To boost your chances:

  • Apply early in the year: applying earlier in the year means it’s less likely the lender will have filled their 15% quota.
  • Prove you can afford it: show you can comfortably afford to repay your mortgage. Lenders will look at things like repayment capacity, net disposable income, and your ability to pay should interest rates rise.
  • Check your credit record: ensure you have a clean spending history, manage borrowing well, and show you have been saving regularly.

8. Compare mortgage deals

Once you have most of your deposit saved, it’s time to find a mortgage deal. You can do this yourself, using our mortgage search, or with the help of a mortgage broker (mortgage credit intermediary).

Our Complete Guide to Mortgages looks at different types of mortgages, to help you decide which is right for you.

You’ll then need to choose either a:

What happens next?

Once you’ve found a mortgage deal, you can start the mortgage application with your chosen lender.

Start your mortgage application

The first stage of your application is often to get a mortgage Approval in Principle (AIP) which is an indication of what the lender will give you, but not a guarantee. If you get AIP, you’re a step closer to full mortgage approval.

The interest rate used for the AIP isn’t necessarily the final rate you’ll get, as the property price may change by the time you drawdown the mortgage.

Arrange insurance

Mortgage protection insurance and buildings insurance are compulsory, so you’ll need to shop around for these before you drawdown your mortgage.

There are also other insurances that are worth considering with a mortgage. Our complete guide to mortgages walks you through the mortgage process in full.

Compare mortgage rates & deals

Find a range of first time buyer and home mover mortgage deals in Ireland using our comparison.

Warning: If you do not keep up your repayments you may lose your home. Warning: The cost of your monthly repayments may increase. Warning: You may have to pay charges if you pay off a fixed rate loan early. Warning: If you do not meet the repayments on your loan, your account will go into arrears. This may affect your credit rating, which may limit your ability to access credit in the future. Warning: The entire amount that you have borrowed will still be outstanding at the end of the interest-only period. The payment rates on this housing loan may be adjusted by the lender from time to time. (applies to variable rate loans only) Information provided and Interest rates quoted valid at 01/10/2024