LENDERS have slashed the number of mortgage products on offer in the Irish market by more than a third over the past year.

A surprise hike in interest rates failed to derail the London market after the FTSE 100 Index powered ahead by 1% in strong afternoon trading.

When entering into a mortgage for the first time, it is important to realise that what seems to be the cheapest option may not necessarily be the deal that's right for you.

When entering into a mortgage for the first time, it is important to realise that what seems to be the cheapest option may not necessarily be the deal that’s right for you. Quoted rates are a snapshot in relation to how the market is performing at a particular point in time, and in this respect it is a good idea to examine the history of your Lender’s performance over the last 5-10 years. This will give you an indication of how competitive their rates have been over a longer period.