Average mortgage repayments can vary by over €111,000 over your full term depending on the deal your broker recommends. That’s why getting the right mortgage broker Ireland really matters and why you should never go directly to your bank.
Not all brokers are experienced, independent or have a comprehensive range of lenders, but there are plenty of brokers that are up to snuff.
moneysherpa is the best mortgage broker in Ireland, you might think we’re biased, but BestinIreland.com also rate us at No 1 as do over 100 of our customers who give us a 5 star review on Google.
Unlike other mortgage brokers moneysherpa will also sort your solicitor and insurer. This is what makes us 4X faster than other brokers and a lot less hassle to deal with. Here’s how we stack up versus other Irish brokers.
Broker | Free | Google Rating | All Lenders | Partner Solicitor | One on One Service | Recommended by BestinIreland.com |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
moneysherpa | ✓ | 4.9 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Irish Mortgage Corporation | ✓ | 4.9 | ✓ | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ |
Doddl | ✓ | 4.8 | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ |
mortgages.ie | ✓ | 4.6 | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
Switcheroo | ✓ | 4.8 | ✓ | ✗ | ✓ | ✗ |
Local Brokers | €100-€500 | ✗ | 3-5 | ✗ | ✓ | ✗ |
Updated 10/03/2024
You can book a Free advice call now below or read on to find out more about what makes the best mortgage broker and what other options you might have.
A good mortgage broker will get you the best rate, maximise how much you can borrow or just make the paperwork less painful as they know all the ins and outs already. Even better most brokers are free as they are paid a completion fee by the lender.
As someone who ran one of the biggest mortgage lenders in the country at PTSB, I was always surprised that only around half of applications were assisted by brokers. In the UK almost 80% of all mortgages applicants work with mortgage brokers.
5 key things to look out for when picking the best mortgage brokers Ireland 2024
- Are they free to use? Mortgage Brokers get paid by the lender on completion of the mortgage, so shouldn’t need to charge you additional fees.
- Do they use the best online tools to take the pain out of the paperwork? Do they offer online upload and e signature.
- Are they comprehensive? Do they work with all the main banks and four broker exclusive lenders including Avant Money who currently have the best rates on the market.
- Do they offer support after your mortgage is completed? Rates are always changing does the broker monitor the market for better rates you can switch to.
- Do they offer the best service? Do they have a dedicated QFA mobile number, direct video diary access, ongoing support ?
The mortgage broker you choose can make a real difference to your finances, your home buying journey and your stress levels. You can book a free advice call with our Top Pick moneysherpa now using the button below.
That’s why we have covered the ins and outs of choosing the best mortgage brokers for you below, helping you make the right decision.
You can get more information about broker options locally here.
- Best Mortgage Broker Cork
- Best Mortgage Broker Dundalk
- Best Mortgage Broker Navan
- Best Mortgage Broker Dublin
Read on to get the lowdown as to what separates a great mortgage broker, from a good one.
Overview, Best mortgage brokers Ireland 2024
Working with the right broker can make a huge difference, according to the property price register the average house in Ireland is going for €272,000 [1], a typical 90% mortgage is therefore over €240,000.
The average cost of a mortgage in Ireland over a term of 35 years can be anywhere between €371,800 with Avant Money up to €483,304 with Bank of Ireland, a difference of over €111,000.
Key service features, Best mortgage brokers Ireland 2024
1. Free to Use, Best mortgage brokers Ireland 2024
There is no difference in rate between going directly to your bank or via a broker. This is because brokers are paid by the lenders out of the fees that the lenders would otherwise splurge on marketing.
This means that going with a broker who doesn’t charge any application fees is 100% free to you. Sounds almost too good to be true, but that’s just the way the broker model works in Ireland.
Although all mortgage brokers receive a commission from the lenders, most of the larger brokers also charge the client directly, with typical fees ranging from €100-€500.
This is to help cover the cost of processing the mortgage with the lenders, which can be costly and time consuming for the broker. WIth paper shuttling back and forth between the broker and the bank.
In contrast the some newer brokers have invested in advanced technology platforms to lower the cost of processing the mortgage, so they don’t have to pass on this cost to customers. They are therefore paid fully out of the 1% commission received from the lender.
2. Online Tools, Best mortgage brokers Ireland 2024
Getting a mortgage still requires a lot of paperwork.
In order to protect you in making such a financial commitment there are multiple documents required to be read and signed.
In order to protect the financial system there are ID documents, bank statements etc.. also required.
The right technology can take a lot of the pain out of this paperwork. Look for mortgage brokers with an online upload capability so you can organise your documents easily. A good one will also give you a dashboard so you always know where you are on the journey to getting the mortgage.
Another big help is if you can find a broker who uses e signature. This saves all the bother of printing and scanning or even worse posting documents. Many brokers are now able to complete the whole mortgage journey online.
3. Comprehensive, Best mortgage brokers Ireland 2024
There are four banks and three broker exclusive lenders that offer mortgages currently in Ireland. Most brokers offer three or four lenders on their panel.
Many of the smaller brokers are tied to just one lender and are not able to advise on alternatives. This can make a big difference as not only do lenders have different rates, but also very different lending policies.
ICS for example let public sector workers borrow more than those employed in other sectors, whilst some lenders are more flexible than others in extending credit to some applicants or don’t offer loans for self build etc..
By having an independent broker in your camp they can not only find you the best rate, but also make an experienced assessment of which lender is most likely to approve your application.
For an average mortgage, Bank of Ireland’s lowest mortgage rate of 3.7% APRC costs €57,000 more than Avant Money’s equivalent rate. There are in fact over 20 deals from the other lenders that are better value.
4. Post Mortgage Support , Best mortgage brokers Ireland 2024
Mortgage rates are changing all the time, what may be a great rate one year might not be the year after. Staying on the best rate throughout your mortgage term can save you thousands. So once you have your mortgage how do you make sure you are still on the best rate?
Make sure the broker you choose monitors the market for you after they get your mortgage. A good broker will get in touch with you automatically if there is a deal that would save you money and switch you to that deal. This guarantees you stay on the best rate all the time.
By choosing the right broker you effectively get “mortgage rate insurance”, a guarantee that as rates change in the market you will know what they mean for you and have help to switch if the new deal saves you money.
5. Best service, Best mortgage brokers Ireland 2024
Using a broker beats going direct to a bank hands down, you gain from years of experience working with different lenders and they can scan the whole market on your behalf.
Make sure though that your mortgage brokers are all Qualified Financial Advisors (QFA), authorised by the Central Bank, with at least a few years of experience.
You should also get a dedicated mobile number to contact, plus the option to contact via video calls with flexible hours.
This makes everything more reliable, faster and easier than the approaches used by other brokers and banks.
Alternatives, Best mortgage brokers Ireland 2024
Go direct to the banks
Obviously you can always go to a bank directly for a mortgage, the biggest advantage of this option is they may already have access to your transaction history so you don’t have to dig out your bank statements.
With open banking even this advantage has recently disappeared, based on new legislation to help make banking more competitive, moneysherpa and some of the other larger brokers can now access your bank transactions on your behalf if you choose.
The downside of going with your bank is you are practically guaranteed that you will pay thousands more than you need to for a worse level of service than via a broker.
Go to your local mortgage brokers
If you want the help of a broker, but want to sit down face to face rather than over a video call then going through a local mortgage broker is an option.
As local brokers tend to be smaller though they usually don’t have as many lenders to choose from or as much pull with the lenders. Unless they charge additional fees or are missing the leading lenders from their portfolio, they will usually have access to the same rates as the bigger brokers.
Obviously though they won’t have the same rate guarantees or technology tools as the new wave of brokers like moneysherpa.
Go to another online broker
There are a number of nationwide brokers in the market who could also be an option. These usually have the advantage of being independent and having a good selection of lenders available. Some also have online tools to help ease the process.
The big drawbacks are they aren’t usually free to use, charging between €100 and €500 a pop and they don’t offer the lifetime best rate guarantee available with moneysherpa.
Daire McConnon (QFA), mortgage sherpa team lead
In a nutshell, Best mortgage brokers Ireland 2024
Using a mortgage broker has many advantages, independent advice, wider choice of rate and having an expert with you every step of the way.
Working with the right mortgage broker can make a huge difference, with the cost of the mortgage over 35 years varying by over €111,000 depending on the deal your broker recommends.
We recommend moneysherpa’s in house mortgage broker service, the mortgage sherpas, as the best way to get a mortgage. Free, Independent, Comprehensive, with a lifetime best rate guarantee and best online enabled service.
Broker | Free | Google Rating | All Lenders | Partner Solicitor | One on One Service | Recommended by BestinIreland.com |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
moneysherpa | ✓ | 4.9 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Irish Mortgage Corporation | ✓ | 4.9 | ✓ | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ |
Doddl | ✓ | 4.8 | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ |
mortgages.ie | ✓ | 4.6 | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
Switcheroo | ✓ | 4.8 | ✓ | ✗ | ✓ | ✗ |
Local Brokers | €100-€500 | ✗ | 3-5 | ✗ | ✓ | ✗ |
Updated 10/03/2024
The two things that make the mortgage sherpa offering really stand out from the crowd however are:-
- 4X Faster Promise. Uniquely moneysherpa will sort your solicitor, insurer and bank so you don’t have to. This was makes them so much faster than other mortgage brokers.
- The easy to use digitally enabled service. The sherpa fills in the paperwork for you on a videocall and you simply digitally upload all your documents and signatures. Making the process a whole lot easier and faster.
Next Steps, Best Mortgage Broker Ireland 2024
If you want to see what you could save by calculating your repayments and see all mortgage provider rates you can click here.
If you want to know more about longer term fixed rates, you can check out our deep dive best fixed rate mortgage piece here or how fixed versus variable compares here.
If you want to know more about switching you can click here. Or you can check out our handy switching mortgage guide here and our remortgaging guide here. If you still have questions check out our switching Q&A here.
If you are thinking of freeing up some extra cash from your home, take a look at our mortgage top up tips here or if you are over 55 our equity release rundown here.
If you want to get your savings started right now, set up a free no obligation video call with a mortgage sherpa here, covering not only the best rate, but also helping choose the lender most likely to approve you and helping take the pain out of the paperwork.
You can book a free, no obligation video chat with the mortgage sherpa team here.
You can get more information about broker options locally here.
Mortgage Broker Frequently Asked Questions
Why use a mortgage broker Ireland?
The main reason is to get advice on the best mortgage for you. There are 7 lenders with over 200 mortgage types with vastly varying costs so picking the right mortgage can make a huge difference to your finances. Brokers can also have access to exclusive deals, make sure your broker has access to all the lenders as many don’t.
How much is a mortgage broker Ireland?
Most of the online brokers are free to use if you’re switching, with fees up to €300 for new mortgages. Local brokers who work face to face often charge more to cover their higher costs and charges can rise for more complex cases.
Who pays a mortgage broker Ireland?
Lenders pay 1% of the drawdown amount to the broker on completion of the mortgage. This payment is the same across all lenders in Ireland. If your broker has access to all the lenders (important you check this), then they are therefreo incentivised to give impartial advice.
What do mortgage brokers do Ireland?
Brokers advise on the process to help you maximise your chances of approval and take the pain out of some of the paperwork. Most importantly they will advise on the right product and provider for your financial needs. Picking the right product and provider can make a huge difference to your finances.
Which lenders are available from a mortgage broker?
PTSB, Bank of Ireland, AIB (via Haven), Avant Money, Finance Ireland and ICS. You should make sure your broker has access to all these lenders.
Is there a difference between a mortgage broker and advisor?
No they are exactly the same. A mortgage broker, mortgage advisor and mortgage consultant do the same job for you.
Is it cheaper to use a mortgage broker?
Right now the best rates are with lenders only available via brokers and usually the brokers costs are covered by the lender. This means it is usually cheaper to use a broker than to go direct to a lender.
6 thoughts on “Best Mortgage Broker Ireland, Top 5 Nationwide – Ireland 2024”
I have a question before I know if I can go further with an investment mortgage – is there an upper age limit?
Thanks
Mary
Hi Mary, After 65 most lenders need to assess potential pension income before they will lend. So either you need to take a term that goes upto less than 65 years or be able to demonstrate a pension sufficient to cover repayments. Hope taht helps, Mark
I’ve had a great experience with one of the mortgage brokers listed on your “Best Mortgage Broker Ireland” post. I found them to be very knowledgeable and helped me secure a fantastic mortgage deal. Would definitely recommend your list to anyone looking for a trustworthy and expert broker.
Excellent post! I’m looking for a mortgage broker in Ireland and this list has been super helpful. I’ll definitely be checking out some of the top 5 mortgage brokers on your list. Thanks for sharing your expertise!
Looking for mortgage
Hi Michael, you can book a Free advice call here! https://moneysherpa.ie/financial-advisor-ireland/a1-qualify-booking/