Ireland's First-Time Buyer Resource

Your complete guide to buying a home in Ireland.

Mortgages, Help to Buy, solicitors, surveys, bidding — every step of the Irish property journey, explained clearly by people who've been through it.

See What's Inside
Mortgage basics and borrowing limits explained
Help to Buy & First Home Scheme step by step
Legal process, solicitors and closing costs
Bidding, surveys and what to look for at viewings
First Time Buyer's Bible guide cover

Edition 1 — 2025

First Time Buyer's Bible Ireland

The
Complete
Guide
120
Pages per issue
32+
Counties reached
8
Guide chapters
25–40
Core reader age

What's Inside

Everything you need to know
before you buy

Eight chapters covering every stage of the Irish first-time buyer journey — from saving your deposit to getting the keys.

01

Understanding Your Budget

What you can realistically afford, hidden costs, stamp duty, legal fees and how to stress-test your numbers before applying.

02

Saving Your Deposit

Deposit targets by price band, the 10% vs 20% decision, and practical savings strategies for Irish buyers in 2025.

03

Mortgage Approval in Principle

How to get AIP, what lenders check, Central Bank lending limits, broker vs direct — and why AIP comes before viewings.

04

Help to Buy & Government Schemes

HTB refund calculation, First Home Scheme eligibility, shared equity, and how to layer multiple schemes correctly.

05

Finding the Right Property

What to check at viewings, how to read BER certificates, new build vs second-hand, and the questions estate agents won't volunteer.

06

Bidding & Making an Offer

How Irish bidding actually works, when to stop, booking deposits, what "sale agreed" means and what comes next.

07

Surveys, Solicitors & Legal

Structural vs snag surveys, choosing a conveyancing solicitor, what's in the contracts, and the timeline from offer to close.

08

Moving In & After

Closing day checklist, switching utilities, home insurance, first year ownership costs and what happens when things go wrong.

Why FTBB

Built for the Irish market

Not generic advice from the UK or US — this guide is written specifically for the Irish property market, Irish lenders, and Irish law.

Ireland-specific from cover to cover

Written around Irish Central Bank lending rules, Revenue HTB relief, the NPPR and PRTB registers, and how Irish solicitors handle conveyancing. No irrelevant UK content.

Up to date for 2025

HTB limits, First Home Scheme equity caps, current AIP criteria and stamp duty rates — all current as of the 2025 Budget and Finance Act.

Written by buyers, for buyers

FTBB was created by a team of Irish first-time buyers who went through the process. Every section is written around the questions people actually ask — not the ones advisers wish they'd ask.

No paid recommendations

Our editorial content is 100% independent. Partners who advertise on FTBB are clearly labelled. Our guides never recommend specific lenders, solicitors or brokers without disclosure.

Who It's For

If you're buying your first home in Ireland, this is for you

Whether you're just starting to save or already approved — FTBB has the information you need.

First-time buyers starting out

You're in the research phase — trying to understand how much you can borrow, what schemes you qualify for, and what the process actually looks like from start to finish.

Renters ready to make the move

You've been renting for years and you're done. You have some savings, you know the area you want — now you need a clear plan to get from where you are to keys in hand.

Couples & families buying together

Buying as a couple means combining finances, understanding joint mortgage rules, and aligning on property type, location and budget. FTBB walks you through all of it together.

Topics Covered

The questions every first-time buyer asks

How much can I actually borrow?

Central Bank rules, income multiples, lender overlays and what stress-testing your application really means.

Do I qualify for Help to Buy?

Eligibility rules, how to calculate your refund, and what happens if you're buying with someone who's owned property before.

Should I use a mortgage broker?

Broker vs direct lender comparison, what brokers actually do, and the questions to ask before you engage one.

What does a structural survey cover?

The difference between a structural survey, a snag list and a valuation — and when you need each one.

How does Irish bidding work?

Sealed bids vs open bidding, when to walk away, and what happens between "sale agreed" and contracts signed.

What are the actual closing costs?

Stamp duty, solicitor fees, valuation costs, survey fees and the registration charges — all itemised with typical 2025 figures.

Ready to Start?

Start your home-buying journey with clarity

Get the complete First Time Buyer's Bible and have everything you need to navigate the Irish property market in one place.