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HomeGuidesReal estateMortgage

Mortgage comparison: criteria and checklist

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Mortgage calculator — payment, down payment

Table of contents

  • Key comparison criteria
  • Instalment vs total cost
  • Checklist for comparing offers
  • How to standardize the comparison
  • How to standardize the comparison
  • Insurance and add‑on products
  • Questions to ask the bank
  • How to collect offers
  • Warning signals
  • Fixed vs variable in comparison
  • Documents and timelines
  • Summing up the choice
  • How to make the decision
  • Offer freshness
  • When to consider an advisor
  • What to include in your comparison table
  • Common comparison mistakes
  • Keep evidence of the offer
  • Align the scope of insurance
  • Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

Comparing mortgages requires looking at the total cost, not only the instalment. Two offers with a similar instalment can have very different total costs, fees and extra conditions.

For a quick comparison of instalments and total costs, use the Mortgage comparison calculator.

To estimate variants quickly, use the Mortgage calculator or the Loan calculator.

Key comparison criteria

Most important factors to check:

  • margin and interest rate,
  • APRC and total cost,
  • origination fee,
  • insurance required by the bank,
  • early repayment conditions,
  • additional costs (valuation, land‑register entries).

APRC is a good overall measure, but always read the contract terms too. Helpful context: How APRC works — rules, limits and examples.

Instalment vs total cost

A lower instalment does not always mean a cheaper loan. A longer term reduces the instalment but increases total cost. Compare offers with similar terms and amounts.

For interest impact, see: Mortgage interest rate and Mortgage instalment — how to calculate.

Checklist for comparing offers

Practical points:

  • compare APRC and total cost,
  • check fees and extra charges,
  • calculate insurance cost over the full term,
  • verify early repayment conditions,
  • see how the instalment changes if rates rise.

If you consider a no‑down‑payment option, remember the higher costs and risk: Mortgage with no down payment.

How to standardize the comparison

If you consider switching banks, see: Mortgage refinancing.

Use identical assumptions: the same amount, term and down payment. Different inputs can distort the instalment, so compare offers on equal parameters.

How to standardize the comparison

If you consider switching banks, see: Mortgage refinancing.

Use identical assumptions: the same amount, term and down payment. Different inputs distort the instalment, so compare offers on equal parameters.

Insurance and add‑on products

Some offers with lower margins require extra products. Before deciding, calculate the total cost of insurance and add‑ons over the full term. This is often the factor that changes the real cost the most.

Questions to ask the bank

Before signing, ask about:

  • detailed extra costs,
  • early repayment conditions,
  • how the rate changes after the fixed period,
  • consequences of cancelling add‑on products.

How to collect offers

Gather offers from several banks and put them into one table. Include margin, interest rate, fees, insurance, one‑off costs and early‑repayment terms. This makes the real cost differences visible.

Warning signals

Be cautious with offers that show a very low instalment but require expensive add‑ons. Also watch for high early‑repayment fees or unclear rules for rate changes.

Fixed vs variable in comparison

When comparing offers, check whether a fixed rate is available and for how long. Fixed rates offer predictability but can be more expensive at the start. Variable rates may be cheaper but carry instalment‑increase risk.

Documents and timelines

Some banks require extra documents or have longer decision processes. Include decision time and document requirements in your comparison, as they affect the real time to get the loan.

Summing up the choice

The best offer balances a reasonable instalment, low total cost and predictable terms. If two offers are similar, choose the one with lower risk of extra costs.

How to make the decision

After collecting offers, pick the best 2–3 and calculate total cost under identical assumptions. If differences are small, decide based on stability of terms and contract clarity.

Offer freshness

Mortgage offers can change frequently. If your decision takes time, confirm the terms right before signing to avoid cost discrepancies.

When to consider an advisor

If offers are very similar or contract terms are complex, an advisor can speed up comparison. Still, always verify costs and contract clauses in writing.

What to include in your comparison table

To make offers comparable, track at least:

  • margin and reference rate,
  • APRC and total cost,
  • required add‑on products,
  • upfront fees and insurance,
  • early repayment conditions,
  • decision time and document list.

Common comparison mistakes

The biggest mistake is comparing offers with different assumptions: term length, LTV, instalment type or fees. Standardize inputs before comparing. Also check the cost of add‑on products — a lower rate can hide higher fees elsewhere.

Keep evidence of the offer

Ask for a written summary or a tariff sheet for each offer. Rates can change, and having a document with terms, fees and conditions makes it easier to confirm what you are actually comparing.

Align the scope of insurance

If one offer includes insurance and another does not, the comparison will be distorted. Normalize insurance scope and account fees so the total cost reflects the same package. Include account maintenance fees over the full term.

Try it in practice

Use our calculator — result in seconds, no registration required.

  • Mortgage calculator — payment, down payment
  • APR (RRSO) calculator — compare loan cost
  • Loan calculator — instalment, APR, cost
  • Mortgage comparison calculator — instalment and total cost

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

Czy najniższa rata oznacza najlepszą ofertę?+
Nie zawsze — liczy się koszt całkowity i warunki umowy.
Jakie koszty ukryte trzeba sprawdzić?+
Najczęściej: prowizje, ubezpieczenia, opłaty okołokredytowe i warunki wcześniejszej spłaty.
Co ważniejsze: marża czy RRSO?+
RRSO pokazuje koszt całościowy, marża wpływa na ratę — trzeba patrzeć na oba.
Jak porównać oferty o różnych okresach?+
Porównuj łączny koszt i ratę przy podobnych założeniach.

Related calculators

  • Mortgage calculator — payment, down payment
  • APR (RRSO) calculator — compare loan cost
  • Loan calculator — instalment, APR, cost
  • Mortgage comparison calculator — instalment and total cost

Related guides

  • Mortgage loan — what it is and how it works
  • Mortgage interest rate — fixed vs variable and what it depends on
  • Mortgage instalment — how to calculate it and what it depends on
  • Mortgage with no down payment — is it possible and on what terms
  • Mortgage refinancing — when it makes sense and how it works
  • Down payment for a mortgage – how much and how to document
  • Mortgage overpayment — is it worth it and how to do it
  • Payment holidays vs prepayment — what pays off

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