Compare switcher mortgage deals in Ireland
Switching your mortgage could help to reduce your repayments and save you thousands in interest. Compare remortgage deals and find the right switcher mortgage for you.
What is a switcher mortgage?
A switcher mortgage is when you take out a new mortgage with another lender or your current mortgage provider, usually at a lower interest rate.
It’s also known as remortgaging, and can provide additional borrowing funds, a shorter borrowing term, or a lower monthly interest rate.
When is the best time to switch mortgage?
The right time to switch will depend on your reason for remortgaging, and whether you’ll make a significant saving.
You should also take into account any fees. Fees and charges will depend on what type of mortgage you currently have.
- If you have a fixed rate mortgage, you’ll need to wait until the term ends, or face paying an early repayment charge (ERC) to your existing mortgage provider.
- With a variable rate mortgage, you can usually switch mortgages at any time without penalty, but double-check there are no exit fees.
To find out more about switching your mortgage, read our guide How to switch to a better mortgage deal.
How to compare switcher mortgages
Our switcher mortgage search can help you compare deals and find the right one.
Whether you’re remortgaging to reduce your repayments, consolidate debt, or buy an investment property, it helps to compare offers across different lenders.
Before you start, make sure you know:
How much can I borrow when I switch mortgages?
Lenders still need to check your affordability even if you don’t want to increase your mortgage.
This is based on things like your income and outgoings, which may have changed since you previously applied for a mortgage.
Here are some things that can affect how much you can borrow.
- Your loan to value (LTV)
- Your loan to income (LTI)
- How much equity you have
- Your credit rating or record
- Your outgoings
To find out exactly how much you can remortgage contact a mortgage broker (mortgage credit intermediary) or talk directly to your lender.
How do I use a mortgage switcher calculator?
You just need to provide the property value, the mortgage amount and the repayment term.
Once you input your details, an online mortgage switcher calculator will show you how much your monthly mortgage payments could be from Ireland’s mortgage lenders, and switcher mortgage deals based on your circumstances.
Our guide: How much can you borrow with a mortgage? explains more.
How long does a switcher mortgage take?
It varies depending on the lender and your individual circumstances, but you should allow somewhere between four to twelve weeks.
How to remortgage and get the best switcher mortgage rates
Here are some things to consider to make sure you switch to the best mortgage and benefit from cheaper monthly repayments:
Once you’ve chosen a mortgage offer, you can submit a request for free advice from a mortgage advisor who will guide you through the mortgage switching process from start to finish.
Switcher mortgage FAQs
What is the difference between a switcher mortgage and remortgaging?
A switcher mortgage and remortgaging are essentially the same thing.
Although some people use the term remortgage to describe topping up their mortgage with their existing lender, and a switcher mortgage to describe moving their mortgage from one lender to another - both terms describe taking out a new mortgage on an existing property.
Can I remortgage to release equity?
Remortgaging to release equity means increasing your current mortgage and using the extral funds for something else e.g. home improvements.
Whether you can do this depends on:
- Your loan to value (LTV)
- Your loan to income (LTI)
- How much equity you have
- Your credit rating or record
- Your monthly income and outgoings
Speak to a mortgage broker (mortgage credit intermediary) or lender to find out how much you can borrow.
Do I need a solicitor to switch mortgages?
It depends on whether you’re switching to another lender. If you are switching lenders, effectively you have to apply for a mortgage again so you’ll need a solicitor to:
- Check and sign your mortgage offer letter
- Carry out searches on the new property - if you’re moving house
- Draw down the new mortgage and pay off the old mortgage
How do I remortgage my property?
You can remortgage your property by switching lenders, or by opting for a new mortgage with your existing mortgage provider.
If you remortgage with your current lender, the process may be quicker and simpler because they already have your personal details and may not require any further checks to be made.
If you only compare mortgages with your current lender, you could miss out on a much better deal with another lender.
If you choose to switch lenders, you can apply for a mortgage in principle to see if they can lend to you, and then complete the mortgage application in full. Here’s how to prepare for a mortgage application.
Switching will involve paying for a valuation of your property and solicitor’s fees, so you’ll need to ensure you’re saving more overall. Find out more in our guide to switching mortgages.
How early can I switch my mortgage?
If you have a fixed rate mortgage, you may be able to lock in another rate a few months in advance of your term ending, but don’t switch until it’s penalty free.
With a variable rate mortgage you’re not tied in so you can remortgage at any time. You should keep an eye on rates and consider switching mortgages when they’re lower. Be aware of the costs involved in switching though as it could work out more expensive in the long run.
It’s worth looking for a mortgage well before your current fixed rate deal ends, or you risk spending time on the lender’s standard variable rate which will be expensive.
What is equity?
It’s the difference between your outstanding mortgage balance and what the property is worth.
For example, if you have a mortgage of €150,000 and the value of your property is €300,000, you have €150,000 equity.
This also means your loan to value (LTV) is 50% because you owe half of what the property is worth.
Negative equity
This is where your mortgage balance is higher than the value of your property.
For example, if you have a €250,000 mortgage and the value of your property plummets to €220,000, you have €30,000 of negative equity.
Being in negative equity can make it harder to remortgage your property.
Why has my loan to value gone down?
If you have a repayment mortgage, you pay off the capital over time, which increases the percentage of your home you own.
This reduces your loan to value (LTV) which is good news when you remortgage, as having a lower LTV often means you can get a better interest rate.
Your LTV can also go down if the property’s value increases because you owe less in relation to what it’s worth.
Compare mortgage rates & deals
Find a range of first time buyer and home mover mortgage deals in Ireland using our comparison.