Tag: Banbridge

The Ultimate First-Time Buyer Guide Northern Ireland

Master the Northern Ireland property market with our ultimate 2026 guide. From securing Co-Ownership to navigating Stamp Duty relief on homes up to £300,000, we simplify every step. Discover how affordable local house prices and expert mortgage advice can turn your dream of homeownership into a reality today.

Navigating the Northern Ireland housing market in 2026 remains one of the most affordable ways to step onto the property ladder in the UK. With average house prices currently sitting around £221,233 and hitting up to £238,708 in high-demand areas, local buyers have a distinct advantage.

Know your 2026 Buying power

Before browsing PropertyPal or PropertyNews, you must secure a Mortgage Agreement in Principle (AIP). Most lenders require a 5% deposit. However in 2026, the Freedom to Buy scheme has become a permanent fixture, helping more buyers access 95% mortgages.

Local support schemes

If a full mortgage is out of reach, Northern Ireland offers unique initiatives:

  • Co-Ownership NI: Buy a share (50%–90%) of a home valued up to £210,000 and pay rent on the rest.
  • Rent to Own: Rent a new-build for up to three years and receive a 20% rent refund to use as your deposit.
  • Lifetime ISA (LISA): Save up to £4,000 annually and receive a 25% government bonus (up to £1,000/year) toward your first home.

Budget for updated 2026 costs

Following changes on 1 April 2025, Stamp Duty thresholds have shifted. 

  • 0% Tax: For first-time buyers on homes up to £300,000.
  • 5% Tax: Only on the portion between £300,001 and £500,000.
  • Other Fees: Set aside £1,500–£2,000 for conveyancing solicitors, RICS surveys, and local rates.

From getting “Sale Agreed” to completion, the process typically takes 3–4 months. Start by checking your credit score and ends with your solicitor registering your title with the Land Registry.

Secure an agreement in principle with a local Mortgage Advisor

← Back

Thank you for your response. ✨

Increase in remortgage activity.

There was a 12% rise in remortgage instructions in February according to the LMS.

The most popular main aim when remortgaging was to lower monthly payments, cited by 28% of borrowers. The survey by the conveyancing firm says 42% of borrowers increased their loan sizes in February. Popular reasons for increasing mortgage loans was home improvements and to consolidate more expensive debts to a cheaper mortgage rate.

46% of those who remortgaged took out a five-year fixed-rate product, which was the most popular product last month. 45% opted for 2 year fixed rate products. Borrowers are unconvinced about pending rate reductions despite mortgage lenders factoring this in with lower interest rates.

Get in touch with a local Mortgage Advisor for the best remortgage solutions

← Back

Thank you for your response. ✨

House prices not affordable except in Northern Ireland

The average cost of a home in England was £298,000 in the 12 months to the end of March last year, equal to 8.6 years of average household income, the latest official data shows.

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) calculates this affordability level on an annual disposable household income of £35,000 during the period. An acceptable level of house price affordability is at five years of household disposable income.

It adds that since 1999 “house prices have increased twice as quickly as household incomes in England; house prices in Wales and Scotland have also increased more rapidly than incomes, but the differences are more moderate”.

The department points out that average house price to disposable household income ratios were 5.8 years in Wales – based on homes priced at £205,000 and £35,000 average incomes.

In Scotland, the ratio is 5.6 years – based on homes priced at £185,000 and £33,000 average incomes.

While in Northern Ireland the ratio is 5 years — based on homes priced at £160,000 and £32,000 average incomes.

The ONS says for low-income households, average-priced homes in all four countries have been “unaffordable” since 1999, when it began collecting data in this series.

It says only the 10% of highest-income households in England could afford an average-priced home with fewer than five years of household income in the financial year to 2023.

This is in comparison to Northern Ireland where an average-priced home was affordable with an average household income.

Contact us to discuss your mortgage options

Reduction in 5 year fixed rates

The average five-year fixed mortgage rate is now 4.66%, down from 5.33% 12 months ago according to the Rightmove weekly mortgage tracker

The data shows the average two-year fixed mortgage rate is now 4.92%, down from 5.76% a year ago. A significant reduction of 0.84%.

The property portal calculated that the average monthly mortgage payment on a typical first-time buyer type property when taking out an average five-year fixed, 85% loan-to-value (LTV) mortgage, is now £1,093 per month, down from £1,159 per month a year ago.

Meanwhile, the average 85% LTV five-year fixed mortgage rate is now 4.69%, down from 5.40% a year ago, while the average 60% LTV five-year fixed mortgage rate is now 4.05%, down from 4.91% a year ago.

To discuss your mortgage options contact us.