USEFUL RESOURCES

÷ ECB.EUROPA.EU This is the website of the European Central Bank (ECB). It includes a section entitled ‘Key ECB rates’ where you can see how the main ECB interest rates have moved since January 1999. It also includes economic research and economic bulletins from the ECB. It has a handy section entitled ‘Explainers’ which gets to the bottom of financial jargon.

÷ BONKERS.IE This personal finance website allows you to compare the cost of mortgages and other financial products available in Ireland. Its mortgage-repayment calculator tool allows you to search the market for the cheapest home loan — based on the amount you’re hoping to borrow and the type of interest rate you want. You can also search for the cheapest gas and electricity provider — and the best broadband, phone and TV deals.

÷ CONSUMERHELP.IE This website is run by the State’s consumer and competition watchdog, the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission. It has a good section on mortgages where you can find out the fees and charges you can expect to pay when you get a home loan, and how much you can borrow. Its section on ‘loans and credit’ explains the differences between fixed and variable-interest rates.

÷ ASKABOUTMONEY.COM This is a good website to tap into for information about financial problems or issues which consumers are running into. It has a number of discussion threads around the topic of mortgages, including on mortgage arrears, negative equity, issues with tracker mortgages, and problems that can arise from joint mortgages.

÷ YOUR LOCAL BANK Most banks have mortgage guides in their branches where you can find out how to apply for a mortgage — as well as details of any mortgage deals they have. Their websites are also worth checking for the latest mortgage interest rates — and any handy FAQs they may have for would-be borrowers.