Trade down equity releaseNeed to move without selling your current home first?What is the trade down equity release option?The trade down equity release mortgage option lets you move to a less expensive home without selling your current home first.How does it work?The option lets you to borrow up to 60% of your current home’s value to buy a new home for you and your family to live in. The maximum loan term is 12 months. During that time, you must sell your current home and use the funds to repay the loan and any interest.Please note: You may be able to borrow up to a maximum of 60% of your current home’s value. This can vary, so talk to us about your plans. We have a dedicated team ready to take your call and answer any questions you may have. Please call us on 0818 200 242 (9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday).Who is this option available to?You can trade down if you:Want to buy a new home that you and your family will live in, and sell your current home.Own a home that you and your family live in, and it has no mortgage and no other charges against the title of the property. Have identified a new property that you wish to move to.Will not need a mortgage on your new home once your current home is sold.Have the funds needed to pay your stamp duty, legal, valuation, and other associated costs.Please note: Before choosing the trade down equity release option, make sure you understand your finances and the need to sell your current home within 12 months of buying your new one. You’ll also need to get independent legal advice.For exampleJim and Mary’s current home is worth €500,000 and their mortgage is fully paid off. They want to sell their current home and buy a new one worth €300,000. Here’s how they can structure their new mortgage loan: They can borrow €300,000 which is 60% of their current home’s value to buy their new home.When they draw down the funds to buy their new home, they then have up to 12 months to sell their current home. They will not make any capital and interest repayments during that time.When their current home is sold, the funds from the sale will be used to repay the €300,000 mortgage loan and interest due. There will be nothing owed on their new property. Interest rates and APRMortgage loan€300,000 (this is the maximum they can borrow to fund the purchase of a new home. It is 60% of their current home’s value. When the mortgage funds are released, Bank of Ireland will place a legal charge on their new home and their current home. This helps secure the mortgage. The charge will be removed after they repay their Trade Down Equity Release Mortgage in full.RateTrade down equity release variable interest rate of 7% and Annual Percentage Rate of Charge (APRC) of 7.9%.Repayments and termThe customer will not need to make monthly repayments. The funds from the sale of the existing home will be used to pay off the mortgage loan and any interest accrued within the 12 month term. However, please note that if the sale proceeds are not enough to clear the mortgage loan and the accrued interest in full, you will still owe us any shortfall.Please note: Cashback is not available on our trade down equity release variable rate.Our mortgage guide for the trade down equity release optionStep 1: Talk to our dedicated trade down equity release teamCall our dedicated trade down equity release team on 0818 200 434 (9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday). They can help you understand your options. Step 2: Find a new propertySearch the market to find the property that’s right for you. You will need to have a new property in mind that you want to purchase before you begin the application process. Step 3: Meet our mortgage specialists in person and start your applicationWhen you find a suitable property, we will set up a face-to-face meeting with a mortgage specialist at a time and place that suits you. In the meeting, we’ll discuss the process in detail and get your application started. Step 4: Provide requested documentsWe’ll outline the documents that you need to accompany your application. Step 5: Complete your applicationWhen you’re ready to finish your application, we will have a second face-to-face meeting at a time and place that suits you. In the meeting, we’ll discuss your finance options in detail and answer any questions you may have about the process.We’ll give you regular updates on the progress of your application. Once it’s successful, we’ll send you a formal ‘mortgage loan offer’. Step 6: Draw down your funds and get your keys to your new homeIf all the requirements are met, your solicitor will complete the purchase of your new home with the seller’s solicitor and arrange to transfer the property title to you. Step 7: List your existing property for sale If you haven’t done so already, now is the time to list your current home for sale. Step 8: Complete sale of your current home Your solicitor will complete the sale of your current home. The funds from the sale will be used to repay your trade down equity release mortgage loan and any interest owed. Your solicitor will organise this. Please note: If the sale does not cover the full amount of the trade down equity release mortgage loan, you will still owe Bank of Ireland the remaining balance. Need a helping hand?Call our dedicated trade down equity release team (9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday) who can provide you with further details.Call 0818 200 434What do I need to know?If you’d like to apply for the trade down equity release option, remember:The trade down equity release option helps you unlock value from your current home to buy a new one. You repay the loan after selling your current home.You can borrow up to a maximum of 60% of your current home’s value. This can vary, so make sure you talk to us about your plans.The loan term lasts up to a maximum of 12 months. During that time, you must sell your current home and use the money to repay the loan and interest. Bank of Ireland will hold both properties as security.Your current home and your new home must be valued by an independent valuer from Bank of Ireland’s valuer panel. You can choose the valuer. As part of this valuation, the valuer must confirm that (based on the home’s current condition, current market conditions, and other relevant factors), it is reasonable to expect that your current home could be sold within six months.The full loan and interest must be paid off once your current home is sold.The interest rate will be the trade down equity release variable rate.Interest will only start when you draw down the mortgage funds to purchase your new home.You will mortgage your current home and your new home as security for the loan.You must pay all legal fees relating to this transaction.You must be resident in the Republic of Ireland.Your current home and new home must both be in the Republic of Ireland.What are the main risks with the trade down equity release option?As the loan will be repaid from the sale of your existing property, the main risks include: Growing loan balance (compounding interest)Interest is added to your mortgage loan and you do not make any regular repayments during the mortgage term. Over time, especially if there are delays with selling your current home, this can cause your mortgage loan balance to grow quickly due to compounding interest. This may reduce the equity in your home and lower the amount you get from the sale of your current home.Negative equityProperty values can rise or fall due to market or economic changes. If your home’s value drops, your mortgage loan balance could end up being more than the property is worth. If the sale does not cover the full mortgage loan, you will still owe us any remaining debt. Property market changesIf the property market changes after you draw down the mortgage funds (for example, if property prices fall), it may be harder for you to sell your home. This could lead to a lower sale price and make it harder to repay the mortgage loan in full.Variable rateAs the mortgage loan has a trade down equity release variable rate, the interest can go up or down over time.Frequently asked questionsWhat other costs can I expect when buying or selling a property? When you’re buying a property, there will be additional costs, some of which you may need to pay upfront:Stamp duty – 1% of the purchase price up to €1 million, 2% on the next €500,000, and 6% on any amount over €1.5 millionSolicitor fees – your own solicitor’s feesValuation report for each propertySurveyor’s report (if applicable) for each property which usually costs between €150 and €250 (plus VAT) for each property.Land registry fees for each property – you will need to have enough money to cover these costs yourself.If you’re selling a property, you may also be liable for:Estate agent/Auctioneer’s feesBuilding Energy Rating (BER) certificate – a legal requirement for your current home which you are sellingWhat happens if I don’t sell my existing property within 12 months? As the full amount of the loan is due within 12 months of drawdown, it is important that you let us know as early as possible before then if you are having difficulty selling your current home. For example, unforeseen delays or if your personal circumstances change. We will work out a solution with you which could include agreeing more time to enable you to sell for example. Your financial wellbeing matters to us. If you’re facing a tough situation or a major life event that affects your ability to sell, please reach out to us. We’re here to help and will work with you to find the best solution.Call our dedicated trade down equity release team on 0818 200 434 (9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday). How much can I borrow?You can borrow up to a maximum of 60% of your current home’s value, for example if your home is worth €525,000, you can borrow up to €315,000. The minimum loan amount is €200,000 and the maximum is €1,500,000. This can vary so talk to us about your plans.How do I apply? Call our dedicated trade down equity release team on 0818 200 434 (9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday). They will answer any questions you may have. Once you have found a property you would like to buy and decided to apply, our dedicated team will arrange for you to meet with one of our mortgage specialists. The mortgage specialist will guide and support you through the whole process from application to drawdown. Can I apply if I have a mortgage on my existing property? No. The trade down equity release option is only available if you own your current home outright and have no mortgage. Can I apply if I need to get an enduring mortgage on my new home? No. The trade down equity release option is a short-term loan which allows you to buy a new home outright, without having to sell your current home first. It is not suitable if you need a long-term loan to buy a new home. What documents do I need? Your dedicated mortgage specialist will go through the full list of documents needed to apply. How do I know if this option is suitable for me?Before choosing the trade down equity release option, make sure you understand your finances and that you must sell your current home within 12 months of buying your new one. You must also get independent legal advice before choosing this option. Call our dedicated trade down equity release team on 0818 200 434 (9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday) who can help you work through this. Can I take advantage of this option if I want to build my new property. No. The trade down equity release option is not available to customers who wish to build their new home. Can I take advantage of this option if I want to purchase a property to let or let my existing family home? No. The trade down equity release option is not available to customers who wish to rent either their current home or their new home. Will I have monthly repayments? No. You will not need to make monthly repayments. The mortgage loan and any interest accrued from the time you receive the funds, will be repaid when your current home is sold. The sale must happen within 12 months of drawing down your mortgage loan. During the application process we will give you a detailed schedule of interest calculations which will be specific to the amount you are borrowing.Please read the “What are the main risks with the trade down equity release option?” to understand the main risks involved. What is the interest rate? The interest rate is the trade down equity release variable rate of 7%. You can repay the loan and interest in full at any point during the 12-month period you have to sell your current home, at no additional cost.Please note: Cashback is not available on our trade down equity release variable rate. Can I apply for a mortgage if I don’t already have a new property lined up?To move your application along, you will need to have identified a home that you wish to buy. However, we’re here to discuss the process with you while you find your new home. Please call us on 0818 200 434 (9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday). Do I need to be employed to get a Trade Down Equity Release Mortgage? No. It is an equity release mortgage loan based on you releasing equity from your current home to buy a new home. What are the main risks with the trade down equity release option?As the loan will be repaid from the sale of your current home, the main risks include:Growing loan balance (compounding interestInterest is added to your mortgage loan and you do not make any regular repayments during the mortgage term. Over time, especially if there are delays with the sale of your current home, this can cause your mortgage loan balance to grow quickly due to compounding interest.This may reduce the equity in your home and lower the amount you get from the sale of your current home.Negative equityProperty values can rise or fall due to market or economic changes. If your home’s value drops, your mortgage loan balance could end up being more than the property is worth.If the sale does not cover the full mortgage loan, you will still owe us any remaining debt.Property market changesIf the property market changes after you drawdown the mortgage funds (for example, if property prices fall), it may be harder for you to sell your home.This could lead to a lower sale price and make it harder to repay the mortgage loan balance that you owe in full.Trade down equity release variable rateThis mortgage loan has a variable rate which means that the interest can go up or down over time.What insurance do I need? To take advantage of the trade down equity release option, you must have home insurance on both properties to protect both you and your new home. You may also need mortgage protection. These policies must be in place before you can draw down your loan. You must also keep home insurance on your current home until it’s sold.To learn more or arrange cover, talk to one of our mortgage specialists or choose a provider that suits your needs.WarningIf you do not keep up your repayments you may lose your home. WarningIf you do not meet the repayments on your loan, your account will go into arrears. This may affect your credit report, which may limit your ability to access credit, a hire purchase agreement, a consumer hire agreement or a BNPL agreement in the future. The lender is Bank of Ireland Mortgage Bank u.c. Lending criteria and terms and conditions apply. A typical mortgage of €100,000 over 12 months payable as one repayment of €107,186 at the end of 12 months at 7% variable (Annual Percentage Rate of Charge (APRC) 7.9%). APRC includes valuation fees of €300 plus outlay of up to €350 payable to Tailte Éireann. The total amount you pay is €107,836. We may require property and life insurance. You mortgage your current home and new home to secure the loan. Maximum loan is 60% of your current home’s value. A 1% interest rate rise would increase the cost of the loan by €1,057. The cost of your total repayment may increase - if you do not pay your repayment you may lose your current home and your new home. Available to over 18s only. The mortgage will be subject to assessment of suitability and affordability. APRC calculations are based on the cost on a €100,000 mortgage over 12 months.Bank of Ireland Mortgage Bank u.c. trading as Bank of Ireland Mortgages is regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland. Information and legal noticesLegal and regulatory information for mortgages.View information and legal notices