Variable-rate mortgages are riskier than the fixed rate option due to the fact that they track the general interest rate, and as consumers and property owners have seen that rate is steadily climbing, so, at least in the medium term a fixed-rate mortgage might offer certainty as far as monthly repayments are concerned.
That variable rate can be more expensive for homeowners so many choose to remortgage their homes at the end of the fixed rate period.
A mortgage is like a marriage, know what you are getting into, the right decision will provide many years of domestic bliss, while the wrong one could be disastrous.
When calculating how much you can afford, be on the lookout for homes that are on the market for no more than three times your annual salary.
However, residential property remains one of the most ironclad investments that any individual can make, so buying makes sense.
You may find the house of your dreams - but a lender may do those affordability calculations and the final result might very well be disappointment.
As far as your income is concerned, the lending institution will need some backup documentation to show that you have been earning a steady income - and that you ideally have been with the same company for an extended period.