Buying real estate on credit: how to check whether you have a chance of getting bank approval before submitting an application?

Buying real estate on credit in Cyprus is a popular practice among both locals and foreign investors. However, before applying for a loan, it is important to understand what factors may influence the bank’s decision to grant a loan.

Legal framework

The main regulatory acts governing this process are:

1. The Cyprus Credit Institutions Law (2013), which establishes the rules and principles for the operation of banks on the island, including regulations for mortgage lending. This law regulates the activities of financial institutions, including their right to make decisions on granting loans.
2. The Consumer Protection Law (2012),which regulates the relationship between the borrower and the bank, ensuring the protection of customers’ rights, including when applying for a mortgage loan and signing loan agreements.
3. The European Central Bank (ECB) Regulation, which influences the policies of financial institutions, including interest rates and requirements for borrowers in European Union countries.

Chances of mortgage approval
Подавая заявку на ипотечный кредит на Кипре, важно учитывать несколько
ключевых факторов, которые могут существенно повлиять на решение банка.

The borrower’s credit history

One of the main factors influencing loan approval is the borrower’s credit history. Cyprus has a credit bureau system that stores information about all previous credit obligations. Banks carefully check credit history, and if the borrower has negative marks, such as late payments on past loans or unfulfilled obligations, the likelihood of approval is significantly reduced.

Borrower’s income
Banks also assess the borrower’s ability to repay the loan based on their income. Cypriot banks usually require the borrower to provide proof of stable income, and one of the key criteria is the debt-to-income ratio (DTI).

Borrower’s age
Age also plays an important role in the decision to grant a mortgage. Banks usually require the borrower to be between 25 and 65 years of age at the end of the loan term.

Collateral property
Collateral property is an important element of mortgage lending. Banks in Cyprus carefully assess the value of the property that will be provided as collateral. If the borrower is unable to meet their obligations, the bank may sell the collateral property to cover its losses.

Loan-to-value ratio

The loan-to-value ratio (LTV) is the ratio of the loan amount to the market value of the collateral property. In Cyprus, most banks require that the LTV ratio does not exceed 70%. This means that the borrower must make an initial down payment of at least 30% of the property value. Thus, buying property on credit in Cyprus is a rather complicated process that requires a careful approach and preparation. To increase the chances of approval, the borrower needs to analyze their credit history in advance.