There's a growing demand for social housing, amid concerns over affordability in the private housing market. A survey by PTSB has found almost half of those currently looking to buy a home are now considering applying for social housing.
68 per cent feel house prices will continue to increase. Research findings show that those in the market for a new home but who haven’t yet started the process anticipate that each stage will be harder than it actually is, when compared to the experiences of those that have already gone through it.
For example, 7 in 10 of those hoping to buy a home believe getting mortgage approval will be difficult, compared to fewer than 4 in 10 among those that have gone through the process.
It's important to choose a mortgage provider you can trust to help you navigate the process. PTSB research shows ‘trust and reputation’ is the second most important factor when choosing a mortgage provider, after rate. It’s worth investing time in choosing the right mortgage provider for you.
A BER (Building Efficiency Rating) rates the energy performance of your home on a scale between A and G. A-rated homes are the most energy efficient and G-rated homes the least. A BER shows how energy efficient a home is in terms of heating, hot water, ventilation and lighting.
There are benefits to knowing your home’s BER rating whether you own your own home, are renting or looking to buy a home. The more energy efficient your home is, the more comfortable it will be to live in and the lower your energy bills will be. For those in the market to buy a home there are added benefits. A good BER rating can unlock better mortgage rates, saving you money on an ongoing basis.
Reflecting Ireland research reveals many are unaware of their BER, or of the benefits of knowing it. (25% of homeowners don’t know their BER/ 72% of mortgage holders don’t realise that improving their BER could help reduce their mortgage payments.)
