Rates & payments
What is MTIC, and why is it more important than the Spread?
The total amount payable is everything you will pay over the life of the loan — capital, interest and charges, added up. It is the figure…
25 March 20261 min read
GUIDES
Guides to decide with confidence
Clear explanations of mortgages, rates and the process, without the jargon.
Rates & payments
Fixed, Variable or Mixed Rate: what is the difference?
A variable rate tracks Euribor and can rise or fall; a fixed rate keeps the payment steady; a mixed rate blends the two. The choice is…
25 March 20262 min read
Rates & payments
What is the Spread, and how can I reduce it?
The spread is the bank's commercial margin added on top of the index. It is negotiable — but a low spread only pays off if the total cost…
25 March 20261 min read
Rates & payments
What is APR (TAEG), and how does it affect my decision?
The APRC sums up the full yearly cost of the loan in a single figure — interest plus every mandatory charge. It is the number that lets you…
25 March 20262 min read
Switch bank
Can I transfer my mortgage to another bank?
You can switch your mortgage to another bank. It makes sense when the new offer improves the payment, the total cost or the terms — but…
25 March 20261 min read
Costs, insurance & taxes
What are condominium fees?
Condo fees pay for the upkeep and management of a building's common areas. They are a fixed monthly cost, to be budgeted alongside the…
25 March 20261 min read
Costs, insurance & taxes
Is there an IMI exemption for people buying a home?
Yes. An own permanent home can get a temporary IMI exemption of up to 3 years, subject to rateable-value and income limits. It is not…
25 March 20261 min read
Costs, insurance & taxes
What is IMI, and when do I have to pay it?
IMI is the yearly tax on whoever owns a property on 31 December. It is worked out on the rateable value (VPT) at the municipality's rate,…
25 March 20261 min read
Costs, insurance & taxes
Am I required to keep insurance with the bank where I got the loan?
You're not required to keep the insurance at the bank — you can choose the insurer. But check whether the move raises your spread and…
25 March 20261 min read
Costs, insurance & taxes
Which insurance policies are mandatory in a mortgage loan?
Banks usually require home (multi-risk) insurance on the property and, often, life insurance. Required by law and required by the contract…
25 March 20261 min read
Rates & payments
Repay the mortgage early or keep money in the account?
Repaying pays off when the loan rate is higher than the net return you can get on the money invested. It is a comparison of rates — and of…
25 March 20261 min read
Costs, insurance & taxes
How can I avoid paying account maintenance fees?
You can avoid the maintenance fee with a Basic Bank Account, by having your salary paid in, or by meeting the bank's exemption conditions.
25 March 20261 min read