With effect from close of business 29 October 2021, Ulster Bank Ireland DAC will not accept any new application requests from personal customers. There are some exceptions to this for existing customers, click here for further information.
Before you start looking for your new home, use our mortgage calculator to find out what your monthly mortgage repayments might be or get in touch for a more detailed assessment.
If you make an appointment we can:
Once you have a good idea of how much you can afford, you can start looking properly.
Make a list of what’s most important to you and put your requirements in order as buying a home usually involves some sort of compromise.
Here's a few things to consider:
Your local estate agent should be able to tell you what properties are available to suit your requirements and budget. Local newspapers usually have a weekly property section and you'll also find most properties listed on property websites.
Remember your offer could be lower than the asking price - the price the seller asks for is not always the one they finally accept.
However if there's been a lot of interest in your chosen property, it could be wise to make an offer close to the asking price. Your estate agent can advise you.
Once your offer is accepted it will be confirmed in writing. Remember - the property isn't officially yours until legally binding contracts are exchanged and the money has been paid over.
Once you've found the perfect place it's important to move fast.
Mortgages can take a few weeks to sort out. We can arrange an appointment with a Mortgage Specialist or one of our mobile mortgage managers who will keep things moving as quickly and smoothly as possible.
Most solicitors charge a fee (this is usually a percentage of the sale price). It's important to get a quote beforehand.
Once you have a solicitor, we'll get things moving with your mortgage. Once it's approved, we'll send the mortgage offer documents through to you and your solicitor for you to read and sign.
Before signing the contract it is really important to have independent checks made on the property.
A valuation is designed to give an idea of the property's condition and how much it is worth. Ulster Bank currently offer a free standard valuation on our new mortgages. Only one free valuation per customer applies.
In each case a valuer will be nominated from Ulster Bank’s valuation panel to carry out a valuation for the Bank. However, you may arrange directly with a surveyor to have a structural survey carried out, this is a lot more thorough and would highlights any problems with the property. You may also choose to carry out your own valuation of the property for your own purposes.
You will need to have an Building Energy Certificate issued - this highlights how efficient the property is at using energy.
It’s important that you have the right level of cover to protect your home and family should anything happen to you.
The type of life cover you’ll need depends on how much you’ve borrowed, for how long and what sort of mortgage you have. You don’t have to buy it from us.
Your Mortgage Specialist will be able to provide you with more details.
There are three types - buildings, contents and extra cover for things you take outside your home, like jewellery and laptops.
Like most mortgage providers, we normally ask you to arrange buildings insurance as a condition of the mortgage, but you don’t have to buy it from us.
Your Mortgage Specialist will be able to provide you with more details.
Providing there are no problems with the survey, the solicitors on both sides will draw up formal contracts for you and the seller to sign. These are legally binding so make sure you’re happy to go ahead.
On the day agreed by both parties we’ll release the mortgage funds to your solicitor who in turn will transfer them to the seller’s solicitor. At the point the funds are transferred, the property is yours.
When do my mortgage payments start?
When making your application, you can choose the date each month your mortgage payment is taken.
