Overview
A mortgage is not only an interest rate. Affordability, duration, flexibility, rate risk, amortisation, equity and possible pension fund use all matter. Small differences can affect costs for years.
What I check
- Affordability and household budget review
- Fixed, SARON or combined mortgage comparison
- Renewal or renegotiation analysis
- Possible pension fund use review
- Questions to ask banks or intermediaries
When it is useful
- You are buying a house or flat
- Your mortgage expires soon
- You have offers but cannot compare them
- You want to use pillar 2 or 3a capital
- You want to understand fixed vs SARON risk
Useful documents to prepare
- Mortgage offers received
- Property details and purchase price
- Income, equity and financial commitments
- Pension fund and pillar 3a documents if relevant
- Current mortgage maturities for renewals
When changing may not be necessary
If the rate is competitive and the model matches your risk, negotiating details may be better than changing the whole strategy.