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ECB on course to start cutting interest rates from June European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde. Photo: Reuters/Kai Pfaffenbach The European Central Bank is on course to start cutting interest rates in June. Rates could be cut four times before the end of the year. Some commentators expect the so-called refinancing rate to come down from 4.5pc at present to 3pc by the end of the year. This would provide a huge boost the 180,000 -
How raising a mortgage deposit can take 2 years in some areas — and 28 years in others New figures show record number of new buyers getting home loans approved despite it taking years to save for deposit Record numbers of first-time buyers are getting approved for a mortgage – despite the fact that the average time it takes to save for a deposit is now close to five years. Figures from the banks show -
Central Bank expects housing completions to hit 35,000 this year A switch of construction workers from commercial schemes as the office market stalls will help ease constraints that have held back housing Economists at the Central Bank think new home completions will rise to 35,000 this year and increase further in 2025 and 2026. That would bring delivery in line with current Government targets but short of where many experts assess demand. In its latest Quarterly -
Homeowners face a €587 a month hike as they roll off their fixed rate mortgage Avant Money’s head of mortgages sees huge cost shocks in store – and his firm is positioning itself to take advantage of situation For most mortgage holders switching is the single biggest thing you can do to save money, says Brian Lande, head of mortgages at Avant Money. Photo: Jason Clarke Around €9bn worth of mortgages are set to roll -
Average mortgage rates fall for third month in a row Mortgage rates are up since last year but the average rate is down slightly in the past three months. Photo: Getty Mortgage rates have fallen for the third month in a row despite no major reductions in lending rates by the main banks. The average rate being paid for a new mortgage in December was 4.19pc, a decrease of 0.06 percentage points from the previous
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Mortgage holders hit by rate hikes can now claim tax credit from Revenue Finance Minister Michael McGrath. Photo: Thierry Monasse Homeowners hit by mortgage rates hikes last year will be able to claim tax relief on their payments from today. The new scheme was announced in last October’s Budget and enables any mortgage holder that paid an increased rate last year to claim up to €1,250 in a tax credit. PAYE workers can get the -
Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant explained: the pros and cons of scheme made famous by ‘Room to Improve’ architect Dermot Bannon ‘Room to Improve’ architect Dermot Bannon. Photo: Mark Condren Interest in vacant and derelict rural houses has increased massively thanks to the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant. In the context of a severe housing shortage, soaring urban rents and the mainstreaming of remote work, the abandoned cottage on a half-acre at the end of a boreen -
First Home Scheme What is the First Home Scheme? Do I qualify for the First Home Scheme? How much funding can I get and are there any costs? Can I buy back the equity share in my home? What is the process for buying back the equity share? Situations when I have to pay off the equity share How do I apply for the First Home Scheme? What is the Tenant Home Purchase Scheme? Useful
