News

Forecast of interest rates until the end of 2023 and outlook for 2024

September 25, 2023

What are the expected mortgage interest rates for the rest of this year? Is it worth waiting to buy a property for more favorable rates in 2024? And what decline in interest rates can be expected?

The above-mentioned questions are among the most frequent that we encounter these days when consulting with our clients. Let's take a look at the most common scenario for the forecast of interest rates according to leading Czech analysts.

Interest rates until the end of 2023
Mortgage interest rates are slowly falling, and this trend can be expected as autumn approaches and for the rest of this year. However, let's not expect any miraculous reduction, but rather a creeping reduction by tenths of a percent. Current rates are most often in the range of 5.39%-5.89% and we can expect to see below the 5% threshold by the end of the year, but rather only cosmetically at 4.99%.

Interest rate outlook for 2024
Next year, the Czech National Bank is expected to lower interest rates, which will eventually translate into a reduction in banks' interest rates. Initially, one can expect a continuation of the gradual reduction of rates and increasingly frequent offers below the 5% level. The pace of interest rate cuts will depend mainly on the inflation in the Czech Republic and on the subsequent reduction of interest rates by the Czech National Bank. The most common expectation is that rates will be in the 4.50%-5.00% range. Only time will tell if, for example, an interest rate of 4.49% will be the lowest that next year will bring.

In the event of a faster fall in inflation, there may also be a significant reduction in interest rates, and mortgage rates may drop to the 4.00%-4.50% band, and they will most likely not go lower.

Of course, as always with similar predictions, the above is only the most frequently discussed scenario from today's point of view. Any unexpected development in the markets, from the point of view of inflation or the development of the economy, can have a significant impact on these predictions and completely reverse this trend, both by a significant reduction in interest rates and also by increasing them again above the level of 6%. Although this scenario is less likely, it is good to remember that interest rates can always go down as well as up.

It may not be worthwhile to wait until next year to buy real estate, because in the event of a drop in interest rates, this will significantly revive the demand for mortgage loans and increased interest will push real estate prices higher again. Any speculation in this direction may not pay off and we do not recommend it either.

Our mortgage specialists will be happy to help you with the appropriate setting of the interest rate fixation and the entire mortgage loan.

Abolition of the DSTI parameter restricting the provision of mortgages. What will be the effects?

June 19, 2023

At its meeting on June 1, 2023, the Czech National Bank (CNB) canceled the obligation to comply with the DSTI parameter, which will change the rules for providing mortgage loans.

The deactivation of the parameter is effective from July 1, 2023, i.e. essentially with immediate effect. Loans signed after this date may no longer be limited to meeting the DSTI parameter as before. Banks were forced to monitor, comply with and evaluate this DSTI parameter from April 1, 2022, when it entered into force.

How did the DSTI parameter limit lending?
Applicants under the age of 36 were subject to a coefficient of 50%, and applicants over 36 were subject to a coefficient of 45%. The DSTI indicator expresses the total amount of monthly debt repayments to the total amount of the applicant's net monthly income. Simply put, for a client under 36, the monthly repayments of all debts must not exceed half of their net monthly income. If the applicant had a net income of CZK 40,000 per month, the sum of all loan repayments could not exceed CZK 20,000 per month.

This restriction makes sense for applicants with lower and average incomes, since higher indebtedness can be critical and risky in the future from the point of view of proper repayment of the loan. The catch is that the net monthly income of the applicant or multiple applicants accepted by the bank may not be the same as the real income of the loan applicants. We most often encounter this contradiction with self-employed people. The parameter also did not make sense for applicants above 36 years of age and with a net household income of more than CZK 100,000, where it makes sense to exceed the income limit of 45%.

Higher credit limits for loan applicants
The deactivation of the DSTI parameter will thus bring the possibility of providing a higher loan for those applicants who ran into its limits in the past months. However, the banks' creditworthiness requirements remain the same, as do the restrictions according to the DTI and LTV parameters. The cancellation of this DSTI parameter will not have such a fundamental impact on the mortgage market in the Czech Republic as a whole, but on specific individual applications. The deactivation of DSTI is certainly a welcome change and will help many loan applicants to obtain a higher mortgage than before.

If you are interested in your credit capacity, i.e. the maximum possible amount of credit that you will be able to reach from July 1, 2023, you can contact us now. We will be happy to prepare updated calculations for you according to the new conditions.

Get the services of the experienced mortgage brokers

May 19, 2023

Applying for a mortgage in the Czech Republic might be confusing for expats / foreigners due to the Czech bureaucracy, processes in banks, specific buying process of purchasing a property or just because of the language barriers.

On the other hand getting the services of the experienced mortgage brokers at MortgageSpecialist.cz have several benefits:

• Personal consultations at offices in Prague 1 or video calls
• Mortgage calculations, comparison of banks´ offers and negotiation at the banks
• Document preparation and administration support
• Coordination of third parties such as lawyers, real estate agents, sellers, evaluators, technical inspectors, bankers, and others
• Performing the entire transaction process from start to finish
• Experience with expats and foreigners from more than 40 countries

Our services are free of charge (In the Czech Republic the mortgage brokers are paid by the banks directly in case of a mortgage realization) so get a trusted advisor on your side!

Ceska sporitelna takes over the loan portfolio of the bankrupt Sberbank

April 24, 2023

During the month of April, the transfer of the loan portfolio from Sberbank to Ceska sporitelna will be completed, and from May 1, 2023, Ceska sporitelna will fully serve Sberbank's loan clients.

The insolvency of Sberbank continues (successfully) and this spring the loan portfolio of Sberbank was paid off and transferred to Ceska sporitelna. During this month of April, all existing clients of Sberbank should be informed in writing by Ceska sporitelna, because from the following month, from May 1, 2023, they will be repaying their loans and obligations to Ceska sporitelna.

After approximately 14 months of uncertainty since the fall of the Russian Sberbank (from the end of February 2022), clients will again have access to the details of their loans within the George service, in Ceska sporitelna's internet banking. The credit conditions of the contracts, i.e. the interest rate, the fixation period, the maturity and others, remain original and unchanged. Ceska sporitelna therefore takes over the loan portfolio and individual loan conditions as negotiated at the then Sberbank branches.

We wish all clients a smooth transition under the banner of Ceska sporitelna and firmly believe that their loan portfolios will last longer under this brand.

A discount on the purchase price of the property can be more efficient than a lower interest rate

March 13, 2023

The possibility to negotiate the purchase price of real estate is currently a well known term, especially in the situation when mortgages are not getting any cheaper. Can a possible discount from the purchase price of the property compensate for the higher interest rate of the mortgage?

Properties that are being offered for sale have increased significantly in recent months, buyers can choose from many options and there is room for price negotiation.

The price growth of most real estates in the Czech Republic has stopped, in selected cases prices are falling. Flats in prefab panel houses and large, energy-intensive properties fell the most, especially in the regions. On the other hand, building plots, low-energy buildings and new buildings hold the price even during this period.If you manage to get a discount on the purchase price, this situation may even be more advantageous than buying the property at the original price with a loan with a low interest rate.

As an example, consider a purchase of an apartment with an original purchase price of CZK 5,500,000. After negotiations, the price was changed and newly set at the amount of CZK 5,000,000. In this case, the buyer will finance part of the purchase price using a mortgage. Mortgage amount is CZK 4,000,000. He will pay the remaining part of the purchase price from his own resources.

• Original price: CZK 5,500,000
• Price after reduction: CZK 5,000,000
• Discount: CZK 500,000
• Original interest rate of 3% with 3-year fixation and 30-years maturity, interest paid for 3 years: CZK 348,876
• Current interest rate of 5.59% with 3-year fixation and 30-years maturity, interest paid for 3 years: CZK 657,474
• Increase in interests due to the interest rates change: CZK 308,598

The balance of the mortgage loan will be CZK 3,741,766 after 3 years, i.e. CZK 3,831,708 in the case of an interest rate of 5.59%, so the loan balance after 3 years of repayment will be CZK 89,942 higher.

Even with an interest rate of 5.59%, in this case the client would save CZK 101,460 on the purchase of this property, because he would get a discount on the purchase price of CZK 500,000, but he would pay CZK 308,598 more in interest and have CZK 89,942 higher loan balance (i.e. CZK 500,000 - 308,598 - 89,942).

What does the cashback mortgage mean in the Czech Republic?

January 23, 2023

In the Czech Republic, this type of mortgage gives you a sum of cash when you take it out. It can be used to refund money (own resources) you used in the past to buy a property. Reverse financing (cashback mortgage) can be used if you have renovated or purchased, for example, a family house, apartment unit or plot of land with your own resources. Refunds can be requested up to 3 years after the transaction was conducted. You can then use the money from the mortgage for any purpose.

Client applies for a cashback mortgage loan in the same way as he/she would apply for a regular mortgage. The current conditions for mortgages will be applied, even if a reimbursement of payments was made in the past. The amount of the loan will depend, in particular, on the amount of funds originally used and on the applicant's current income and obligations. The loan is repaid in annuity installments and the loan has the parameters of standard mortgages.

The situation when a client decides to buy real estate in cash is currently common. Due to high inflation, buying a property is one way to invest your own savings. However when the economic situation changes, it is possible to recover own resources using a so-called 'reverse' mortgage and use these funds for other projects and plans.

What is an offset mortgage and what are its benefits?

December 7, 2022

The principle of an offset mortgage consists in offsetting the account balance against the amount owed. The client thus pays interest only on the difference between the unpaid loan principal and the amount on the offset account. The balance on the offset account can change continuously, and the amount of interest paid changes according to the change in the balance. The principal is still amortized the same, but the interest changes according to the current balance in the offset account.

It is a mortgage loan that is combined with an offset (savings) account. This type of loan is sufficient for clients who have, or will soon have, a sufficient amount of deposits that can be deposited into an offset account. There are no interests earned on the offset savings account. In the case of this type of mortgage, it is possible for the client to actively influence the amount of interest paid on the mortgage by making deposits into a savings account. Thanks to this principle, the installment paid is lower than it would be in the case of a classic mortgage.

An example can be a mortgage loan in the total amount of CZK 10,000,000 with a maturity of 30 years and an interest rate of 5.79% p.a. For a regular mortgage loan, the monthly installment would amount to CZK 58,673. However, if the client uses the offset mortgage option and deposits CZK 4,000,000 into the offset (savings) account, he/she will only pay interest on the amount of CZK 6,000,000. In this case, the monthly installment of the offset mortgage would be CZK 46,317.

Money deposited in the savings account is accessible at any time and can be used for the purchase of another property or the implementation of a business project. It is possible to deposit an amount up to 100% of the loan amount into an offset (savings account), in which case the client would not pay any interest on the mortgage loan.

Is Now a Good Time to Buy a Property in the Czech Republic?

September 30, 2022

It might seem that buying a property in the Czech Republic using a mortgage is not the best decision these days. The following reasons may convince you otherwise:

• The possibility to negotiate a discount on the purchase price is beginning to arise. With the change in the market and the weakening of demand, the opportunity for reducing the purchase price is beginning to appear again. A discount on property price has potential to compensate buyers for the higher interest rates and the related interest costs.
• Due to the real estate market's recent development, we can observe a more diverse offer of properties, even in areas where it used to be quite challenging to buy a property with the required parameters during the pandemic. The buyers can thus allow themselves more time to choose the perfect property, which can be a nice bonus to a potential discounted purchase price.
• Higher interest rates won't stay the same for the entire duration of the mortgage. The possibility of negotiating a lower interest rate during the fixation is also not excluded. As soon as the mortgage interest rates drop, it will be possible to enter into negotiations with the lending bank to adjust the interest rate to the level of current market rates. As mentioned above, the discount on the purchase price can be more significant than the interest paid during the higher rate period.
• A mortgage can be a solution even for buyers who made the purchase using their own resources. If, for example, you decided to put cash into a property (due to current high inflation) and the market situation were to reverse, it is possible to apply for a cash-back mortgage, up to 36 months after the purchase of the property. The bank will provide you with a mortgage, and you can use the money from the loan for any purpose required.
  

If you are wondering whether it is the right time for you to apply for a mortgage and require advice, do not hesitate to contact us and arrange a free consultation.

Are the mortgages in the Czech Republic about to get cheaper?

August 15, 2022

The sharp rise in interest rates that we have been experiencing for more than a year has stopped for now. On the interbank money market, interest rates are falling, which means the "price of money" is decreasing. At the same time, the Czech National Bank (CNB) at its August meeting in its new composition did not proceed to increase the basic interest rates. Thus, the possibility for lower mortgage interest rates on the part of providers is beginning to appear.

The last major increase in mortgage interest rates came after the CNB meeting in June, when the Bank Board, still in its old composition, proceeded to increase the basic, so-called two-week repo rate to 7 percent. After the August meeting of the Banking Council, the base rate remained at the same level.

However, other factors also have an influence on mortgage interest rates, including rates on the interbank money market. These rates have been changing dynamically lately, but they have been falling since around mid-June, and therefore the cost of funds from which banks provide mortgages is also decreasing. The five-year interbank rate hovered around 6.4% in June, while from mid-June it started to fall to the current 4.96% (as of 4 August 2022), i.e. it fell by 1.44%, see the graph below showing the development over the last 3 months.

If this trend were more permanent, the opportunity for banks to make mortgages cheaper could appear. Market interest rates, unlike from those announced by the CNB, are falling due to fears of a possible recession.

Under the current conditions, mortgages are thus unaffordable for many people, and even a slight discount could significantly help many applicants. Currently we have rates around 5 percent to our clients.

Today, the CNB Board sharply raised the key interest rate to 7%

June 22, 2022

The Czech National Bank ("CNB") Board, headed by Governor Jiri Rusnok, met for the last time. The agenda of the meeting again included the adjustments of monetary policy, specifically the modification of the basic interest rate. It was decided that the rate would be increased from the original 5.75% to 7%. This is an increase in the rate of 125 basis points.

The CNB Council raised the rate sharply, mainly as a result of high inflation and inflation expectations. Inflation in the Czech Republic reached 16% in May. Economists expect further growth in June, and inflation could approach its peak of 20,8% in 1993. High interest rates set by CNB are intended to help control inflation growth and return to the original inflation target of 2%. The rise in prices in the economy and inflation expectations represent a pro-inflation risk for CNB, which thus had a reason to further increase the key interest rate. At the same time, 2W repo rate was only 0.25% in June last year.

Thanks to the increase in the base interest rate, we also expect further growth in mortgage interest rates. The average interest rate on mortgage loans is currently in the range of 5.5% to 6%. However, the increase will not only affect households, but also loans for entrepreneurs for operation and investment will be less available.

What can be used instead of your own resources in the mortgage?

May 31, 2022

When the buyer decides to apply for a mortgage loan in order to pay the purchase price, he/she must take into account that at least 20% of the property price ( or 10% if he/she is an applicant under the age of 36) will be paid from the applicant's own resources. According to the new legal regulation applicable from 1 April 2022, the bank can provide a loan in the maximum amount of 80% of the property value, or up to 90% if the applicant is under 36 years of age. What are the other options if the applicant does not wish to use own savings?

What happens if the value of the property is low and the applicant needs a higher loan to pay the purchase price? The provision of additional real estate as additional collateral seems to be a suitable solution. The additional pledge means another pledge value thus the loan amount can be up to 80%, or 90% of the provided pledge value. Maximum amount of the mortgage can be equal to the purchase price of the acquired property.

Real estate that is already subject to a lien can also be provided as an additional pledge, especially with regard to the sharp rise in real estate prices in recent years. Here again, the value of the property or the free ''unpledged'' value will be important. This is simply the value of the property minus the amount of the mortgage that was used to buy this property. A bank from the same banking group can make a second collateral on already mortgaged real estate.

Example:
Imagine a client who would like to buy a property with a purchase price of CZK 5,000,000. For simplicity, let's assume that the value of the property is also CZK 5,000,000. As the client is older than 36 years, the bank will provide him/her with a maximum mortgage of CZK 4,000,000, which is 80% of the property value. However, the client would like a higher loan so that he/she can use less of his/hers own resources. As the mortgage applicant owns another property with a free collateral value of 1,000,000, the sum of the collateral values is CZK 6,000,000 and the bank can provide the applicant with a loan of 80% of the collateral value, ie. CZK 4,800,000. The amount of a possible loan with the provision of additional collateral increased by CZK 800,000. The new mortgage amount will be provided under the condition that all expenditure parameters of the loan meet the parameters defined by law.

New regulations starting this April

April 25, 2022

At the beginning of April, new limits for mortgage loans entered into force. Having regard to the Act No. 6/1993 Coll., On the Czech National Bank (CNB), the CNB is entitled to regulate the parameters for the provision of mortgages. Banks are now obliged to comply with the new limits for DTI, DSTI and LTV parameters when evaluating mortgage applicants. Different limits apply to applicants over the age of 36, while less stringent conditions apply to applicants under the age of 36.

The DTI, DSTI, and LTV parameters express the following:

• The DTI (debt-to-income) indicator expresses the total amount of debt expressed in multiples of the applicant's net annual income.
• The DSTI (debt service-to-income) indicator expresses the total amount of monthly debt payments to the total amount of the applicant's net monthly income.
• The LTV (loan-to-value) indicator represents the ratio of the loan amount and the value of the purchased property.

• DTI at 8.5
• DSTI at 45%
• LTV up to 80%

• DTI at 9.5
• DSTI at 50%
• LTV up to 90%

Czech National Bank decided to revoke the banking license of Sberbank CZ

March 24, 2022

At the end of last month, due to the deterioration of Sberbank's CZ liquidity situation, the Czech National Bank decided to revoke its banking license. According to official statements, the situation was caused by a significant deposit withdrawal after the escalation of the Russian-Ukrainian conflict. The decision to revoke the banking license was made on 28 February 2022.

Since the deposits are insured, Sberbank clients will not lose their money; the Financial Market Guarantee System will take care of the compensation. The maximum amount of compensation per depositor is EUR 100,000, i.e. CZK 2,499,500. In specific cases, the client can request the payment of increased compensation, up to a maximum of EUR 200,000. It is possible to apply for the payment of basic deposit compensation for a period of three years. Komerční banka was entrusted with the payout of insured deposits. Detailed information can be found on the websites of Komerční banka and the Guarantee System.

If you have a mortgage loan arranged in Sberbank, it is necessary to continue repaying in full monthly installment. What can be done with such a mortgage? Currently, the following options are offered in particular:

• Refinance the mortgage to another bank under current market conditions.
• Sberbank's receivables will be taken over by another bank and the loan will be repaid to the accepting bank under the conditions specified in the loan agreement. In this case, the interest rate could be maintained during the original fixation period.
• Repayment of the loan if the loan participant has funds for early repayment of the remaining loan amount.
• Mandatory repayment of loans would be an extreme option if the bank's receivables were not taken over and there was no refinancing or the entire mortgage repayment.

Czech mortgage market in 2021 and the situation at the beginning of 2022

From the point of view of the Czech mortgage market, the year 2021 was a record year, both in the number of provided mortgages and the total volume of provided funds. The main reasons were low interest rates, zero real estate transfer tax, simplified conditions for obtaining a loan and a change in customers' preferences.

However, the increased demand in buying real estate also led to an increase in their price. This concerned not only residential real estate, but also domestic recreational properties such as cottages, which became very popular due to the pandemic. The average amount of the mortgage loan climbed to CZK 3.14 million in the Czech Republic in 2021. On the contrary, in 2019 the average mortgage was only CZK 2.33 million (source: www.hypoindex.cz).

During the 2021 spring, after a year of constant decline, mortgage rates began to rise gradually and are still rising. Average interest rates have almost doubled compared to the beginning of 2021, while the volume of new loans has fallen. The current average interest rate coincides with the level of interest rates in 2012.

The level of mortgage rates is also significantly affected by the basic interest rates set by the Czech National Bank (CNB). Despite a further increase in key interest rates by the Czech National Bank, interest rates are starting to increase at a slower pace. Further growth of rates is still expected, especially until the CNB's anti-inflationary measures take effect. If the fight against inflation is successful, the growth trend will stop and interest rates may start to fall again.

Interest rates continue to rise at the beginning of the year

January 25, 2022

The rise in interest rates does not end at the beginning of the new year either. Inflation in the Czech Republic is rising and the mortgage rates are rising with it. The largest Czech banks have increased the rates by 0.5% month-on-month.

Interest rates are not the only thing that is increasing. In addition to building materials, real estate prices continue to rise as well. Despite all these aspects, demand for real estate is still high. Especially in Prague and the Central Bohemian Region, demand far exceeds supply.

There are several reasons for such a high demand, one of which is that in times of uncertainty and high inflation, real estate purchase represents a relatively safe, low-risk investment compared to other investment instruments. Property is no longer just a place to live in, but it is also a meaningful use of money. On the contrary, the reason for the low supply of real estate is the overall insufficient and slow construction process of building. Even before the pandemic, there was a real estate shortage on Czech market, and especially flats. And Covid pandemic has slowed construction even more.

Also the reconstruction of already owned real estate is demanded, therefore despite the rising interest rates, there is still interest in mortgages, even though the mortgage markets are returning to pre-pandemic, and therefore lower, levels. Mortgage rates respond to the basic rates that are being set by the Czech National Bank. Due to current inflation, the CNB is highly likely to further raise basic rates. Higher rates would then affect interest rates and make mortgage loans more expensive.

The Board of the Czech National Bank (CNB) has set new limits on credit indicators used while applying for mortgages

In accordance with the newly acquired legislative power, the CNB may set mandatory limits for mortgage lenders. The changes concern DTI, DSTI and LTV will be mandatory from 1 April 2022.

The DTI (debt-to-income) indicator expresses the total amount of debt expressed in multiples of the applicant's net annual income.

The DSTI (debt service-to-income) indicator expresses the total amount of monthly debt payments to the total amount of the applicant's net monthly income.

The LTV (loan-to-value) indicator represents the ratio of the loan amount and the value of the purchased property.

The new indicators are set differently for the two groups of applicants. The age of the applicant will be decisive, while more favorable conditions will apply for applicants under the age of 36.

The following limits will apply to applicants over the age of 36:

• DTI at 8.5
• DSTI at 45%
• LTV up to 80%

For applicants under the age of 36, the limits will be as follows:

• DTI at 9.5
• DSTI at 50%
• LTV up to 90%

Therefore, if you, as applicants, exceed the age of 36 after 1st April 2022 you will be subject to stricter loan conditions and banks will be able to provide you with a lower mortgage loan than they could provide you nowadays.

Interest rates are still sharply rising in the Czech Republic

November 15, 2021

While at the beginning of this year the average interest rate for mortgage loans was below 2%, now the rates are reaching almost 4% threshold. The Czech National Bank has raised basic interest rates several times already, which is also being reflected by banks in the level of mortgage interest rates. A higher interest rate means higher loan repayment costs. The monthly annuity of a regular mortgage in the Czech Republic consists of the capital repayment and interest payment.

However, what is the real difference in the amount of the monthly mortgage payment when the interest rate changes from 1.79% to 4%? Assume a mortgage of CZK 5,000,000 with a maturity of 30 years and a fixed interest rate for 5 years. The fixed interest rate is the most common type of mortgage interest rate in the Czech Republic and allows you to determine how long we want our interest rate to remain the same when applying for a mortgage loan. At the end of the fixation, the rate may be changed.

What will be the amount of the installment at the interest rate of 1.79% and the subsequent change to 4%? At an interest rate of 1.79%, the monthly payment will be CZK 17,690. If the interest rate is increased to 4%, the monthly payment would be CZK 23,871. This means a difference of CZK 6,181.

At this point, it should be noted that in historical and local comparison, today's interest rates are far from the highest. Although rates are currently lower in the euro area, rates in the Czech Republic are not reaching their all-time high. Beside the interest rates itself, another important parameter is the fixation period, after which it is possible to refinance the mortgage loan and get a different (lower) rate. Especially during the end of interest rate fixation, it is advisable to check the date of the expiry of this period and start resolving possible refinancing in time. If your interest rate fixation is about to end and you do not know what to do with your mortgage loan, do not hesitate to contact us.

The Council of the Czech National Bank (CNB) has raised interest rates sharply. The key interest rate (the so-called repo rate) was increased by 0.75 percentage point.

October 8, 2021

This is the highest increase done in a single meeting in the last quarter century. The reason for this significant intervention is strong inflationary pressure. In August, inflation in the Czech Republic reached 4.1 percent, while the aim is to return it to the 2 percent limit. According to the governor of the CNB, the reason for the expansionary policy has now passed and, on the contrary, interest rates need to be returned to the original level. 

The basic rate affects the interest rate on consumer loans. It is therefore possible to expect a further rise in interest rates on mortgage loans. Higher rates may reduce the volume of new loans, which was a record in the first half of the year, due to the low interest rates. The increase in rates will be reflected not only in newly agreed loans, but also in older loans, for which the period of fixation ends and will have to be refinanced with a new interest rate.

Mortgage Prepayment Penalties in the Czech Republic

September 16, 2021

The rules for calculating the penalty for early mortgage repayment are not yet uniform in the Czech banks. However, this situation is to be changed by new amendments to the Consumer Credit Act, which currently lie in the Chamber of Deputies Parliament of the Czech Republic. The aim of both proposals is to unify the rules for calculating the fee related to early mortgage repayment and to define the maximum possible amount of the penalty.

According to the first proposal, the amount of reimbursement of costs for early repayment of a consumer loan for housing (i.e. a mortgage) could not exceed 3% of the early repayment part of the total amount of the loan. The second proposal suggests only 1.5%.

At present, the fee for early repayment can range from units of thousands of crowns to tens of thousands CZK. However, the legislative change would bring clear rules for determining the amount of the fee which might lead to penalty increases in some of the banks with current small fees. In this regard fee capping should balance the protection of the rights of consumers and creditors, on the contrary, it will not be a compensation for lost profits.

Czech National Bank increases interest rates, mortgages will be more expensive

August 16, 2021

The Bank Board of the Czech National Bank ("CNB") raised the basic interest rate for the second time this summer, which is now running at 0.75 percent. The level of the basic interest rate also affects the rate of mortgage loans. Mortgages will thus most likely become more expensive in the future.

By its decision, the CNB confirmed its expectations regarding the increase in the base rate. After more than a year of declining rates, the situation reversed this spring and interest rates began to rise sharply. The prices of basic inputs are rising as well, including building materials. The future rise in real estate prices may be largely conditioned by the current prices of raw materials that will be used in construction.

The CNB justifies the rise in interest rates by returning interest rates to pre-pandemic levels, as low rates were intended to support the economy, especially in times of crisis. Banks are already raising interest rates on new mortgages. Only exception is the ČSOB Group, others have decided to increase their rates and prices.

Current situation on the Czech Mortgage and Real Estate Market in the middle of the year

July 14, 2021

At the beginning of the year, the average mortgage interest rate reached its minimum. The one-year gradual reduction of interest rates ended this spring and rates are starting to rise again. However, their growth is now hampered by competition between banks.

The Czech National Bank (CNB) also raised interest rates in June; therefore further increases in mortgage rates can be expected in the future as well. The rise in interest rates meant only a slight decline in interest in mortgages, which was a record due to low rates. CNB has currently raised interest rates by 0.25%, mainly due to rising inflation in the Czech Republic and negative consumer inflation expectations.

At the same time, the CNB admits that the price of real estate on the Czech real estate market could be significantly overestimated. In the last year alone, according to statistics, the price of real estate has risen by 12% year-on-year. After Hungary and Luxembourg, the increase in housing unit prices in the Czech Republic was the highest in the entire European Union.

Non-declining interest in real estate and ever-increasing inflation will encourage further price increases in the future. This situation is also caused by the fact that supply lags behind demand in the long run.

The Czech National Bank will have new legal authority to determine the rules for mortgages

June 9, 2021

The amendment to the Act on the Czech National Bank ("CNB") was signed by the Czech president at the beginning of June. The CNB will thus acquire the statutory power to adjust the parameters for providing mortgage loans. Until now, the central bank could only issue recommendations which, despite their legal unenforceability, the banking institutions followed.

When the amendment becomes effective, the central bank will be able to determine the key parameters that banks have to follow when providing mortgage loans. These are the indicator of the amount of the mortgage loan to the value of the mortgaged property (LTV), the indicator of the amount of the loan repayment to the applicant's total monthly income (DSTI) and the indicator of the total debt to the applicant's annual income (DTI).

The CNB will now be able to set upper limits, either for one or more indicators at a time. In reality, after the law enters into force, the central bank could increase the percentage of applicant's own funds from the current 10 percent to 15 to 20 percent of the total value of the property (if needed).  Rising rates are already starting to hinder enormous interest in mortgage loans. An increase in the co-participation in a mortgage loan could mean a significant decrease in interest in new loans in the future.

The banks are overloaded with mortgage loan applications

May 12, 2021

Unprecedented interest in mortgage loans continues despite the recent rise of interest rates. According to the research, up to 13% of all inhabitants of the Czech Republic are considering applying for a mortgage loan. The huge interest in mortgages is probably caused by rising interest rates and concerns about higher inflation rates.

Many banks are unable to process such a high number of mortgage applications, therefore the mortgage processing might be prolonged by a period of weeks. Slower approval process of the mortgage application may have a negative effect on the timely fulfillment of obligations arising from the reservation contract, purchase contract, etc. In this situation, it is necessary to take into account the length of mortgage processing and adjust contractual terms. In case of smaller banks, applicants can wait up to a month to assess a mortgage application. Even after that, it can take another few weeks to process the loan documentation. If you prefer to know your timeline and meet all deadlines feel free to contact us.

Volume of mortgage loans provided for 2021 first quarter exceeded 100 billions CZK

Can I get a mortgage loan online in the Czech Republic?

March 24, 2021

Previously, closing a mortgage loan would not be possible without personal meetings, signing a number of documents and, in some cases, time-consuming administration. However, given the situation, banks are coming up with the transformation of their services into online platforms. This also applies to mortgage loans. Although it is not yet possible to arrange a mortgage exclusively online, a large part of the process can already be done without a personal presence.

What can be arranged online? Initially, all mortgage calculations can be made online and details can be agreed through e-mail communication, calls or online meetings. The selection of suitable financing and the preparation of the mortgage application can be done online, but the signature on the application must be done in person. Newly, some banks already allow online processing of the income confirmation that each applicant has to submit. The approval of the loan application and the preparation of contractual documentation also take place online, but the final signatures will not be possible without your physical presence. Feel free to contact us for more details.

Property purchase and mortgage loan can evoke lots of questions for many of us. Having the right answers could mean reducing both the stress and the cost.

1. How much can I borrow?

This might be a burning question, because this affects the type of property that you can afford. This generally depends on your income, type of income; other loans you have and on the amount of money that you have saved. Remember that the purchase price is not the final price, but it is close to that. Other charges can grow just up to CZK 20,000 in general.

2. What documentation should I gather?

To apply for the mortgage prepare the following document. Sometimes you might be asked to submit additional documents.

• ID (in Czech: Občanský průkaz) and passport or driving license

• Proof of your citizenship or permanent residence permit

• Proof of your income or tax reclamation (your income has to originate in Czech Republic)

• Personal details

• Property details
  
  

3. How long does it take to close a mortgage?

Even though there is no definitive answer to this question, the average time to close a mortgage for an apartment purchase is around 15 - 40 days. Many factors and your individual circumstances frame the total time needed. You can shorten this time by preparing all required documents.

4. What is LTV?

The loan to value or LTV is the amount of money you borrow from the bank compared to the purchase price of the property. Maximum LTV allowed in the Czech Republic is 90% LTV. However, the most common are 80% mortgages in the Czech Republic.

5. How much should you save for a down payment?

It is required to have at least 10% of the purchase price, but in most cases applicants have 20% (or even more).

If you have any other questions, don't hesitate to contact us.

The interest rates in the new year 2021

January 14, 2021

The Interest rates have fallen sharply over the past year, but will they be the same this year?
At the end of 2020, the average interest rate on mortgage loans fell below 2% in the Czech Republic, but prices of the real estate have not fallen as many experts expected. At the beginning of the new year, interest rates should remain at the current low level. However, another significant decline is less likely, stagnation or a slight increase in rates is more realistic. Currently we do mortgages for our clients with the interest rate starting at 1.69%.

The further development of mortgage rates will be influenced by the performance of the Czech economy, real estate prices and other factors. The development of interest rates is also affected by the level of other rates, which are regulated by the Czech National Bank. An increase in those interest rates or stricter conditions for mortgage loans cannot be ruled out.

Real estate prices are not expected to fall this year either, although price growth should be slower than as it was during the previous years. A maximum of 5% growth of the apartment prices for the year 2021 is expected.

Czech Real estate development in 2020

December 14, 2020

Are you wondering how the coronavirus affected the real estate market in the Czech Republic? Read bellow a brief overview of Czech real estate market.

At the beginning of this year many forecasted prices of real estate to fall as they thought there will be many people selling their properties. However, the actual situation is quite different. Except in rare cases, there was no significant increase in the properties offered on the market.
What happened was that selling prices continued to grow, albeit in slower pace. The reason for this is insufficient supply of real estate and the crisis made it even worst as there was lower output of construction industry this year.

Shortage of offered real estate is pushing selling prices up as the demand is still higher than offer. Mortgage loan market is affected by the economic situation as well as by the situation on real estate market. Therefore we have witnessed a sharp decline in interest rates this year. Another important aspect an impact on mortgage and real estate market was abolition of 4% real estate transfer tax.

The interest rates of mortgages are falling and demand is rising

November 23, 2020

Due to the corona virus crisis at the beginning of this spring, many real estate brokers and financial experts expected real estate prices to fall due to lower demand for housing and lower demand for mortgage loans. However, we have not witnessed significant decline in property prices.

The desire for real estate ownership did not pass even during the crisis. On the contrary, it was supported by the abolition of the real estate acquisition tax and a fall in mortgage interest rates. However, the coronavirus crisis had a negative impact on output of the construction industry, which will affect the price of real estates. There is still a shortage of apartments, especially in the capital, and the demand for them is really high. The combination of high demand with a decline in newly completed dwellings is putting pressure on real estate's prices.

In times of financial uncertainty, people and investors may perceive real estate as a safe investment and tend not to postpone real estate purchase any longer. This is also affected by abolition of real estate acquisition tax and low interest rates in the Czech Republic. Mortgages fell sharply during this autumn with interest rates below 2%.

The real estate transfer tax has been officially abolished in the Czech Republic and property purchase has therefore become cheaper

October 13, 2020

Before the cancelation the buyers had been subject to the 4 % tax rate of the tax base (known as real estate transfer tax). The tax base was usually the purchase price of the property you were buying. As it is no longer applicable you can save for example CZK 200,000 when purchasing a CZK 5,000,000 worth property.

Buying an apartment or house in the Czech Republic is nowadays really affordable considering the side costs. Beside the down payment for the mortgage loan (which is at least 10% of the property price) the buyers need just about CZK 5,000 - 10,000 as an ancillary costs (e.g. for bank´s evaluation, lawyer or escrow).

Low side costs together with favorable mortgage interest rates create interesting opportunities for home buyers or even for investors.

The summer decline of interest rates continues in early autumn

September 23, 2020

The average interest rate on mortgage loans is currently 2.15 percent. The present average interest rate is at the same level as it was in November 2017.

Compared to this year's spring, when we experienced a very sharp drop in rates due to the spread of coronavirus, current rates are declining at a slower pace. Although the declining trend is expected to continue, the situation may be changed by rising interbank rates and by the threat of upward pressure on inflation.

Subsequent development of interest rates depends on the state of the economy and its recovery from the crisis caused by the global coronavirus pandemic. Interesting special offers for mortgage loans perhaps can be expected in case of positive development of health situation and economics. Interest rates can be negatively affected by a situation of a rising number of clients who will not be able to repay their loans. Another reason for raising the interest rates may be the rising rate on the interbank money market. At simple terms this means that the costs of financial resources from which banks provide mortgage loans to their clients have increased.

Despite the tightening of conditions on mortgage applicants, interest rates are still gradually falling and thus mortgages are becoming cheaper. The current low rates are advantageous for clients who are currently considering purchasing real estate.

Can companies obtain a mortgage in the Czech Republic? And is there any difference between a mortgage loan for a person and for a company?

August 27, 2020

In the Czech Republic, a legal person can also apply for a mortgage loan / business loan for a property. Not only existing companies can apply but also a newly established business company, the main business activity of which will be renting of the purchased real estate. Purpose of the business mortgage will be the same as it would be for the personal mortgage loan, which may be the purchase of real estate or its reconstruction.

The procedure for obtaining financing is to a great extent the same, first calculations are made, then pre-scoring is conducted, an application is written and, if the application is approved by the bank, a loan is provided to the company.

Unlike for mortgages provided to natural persons, a loan for a company may differ in the proportion of down payment and money provided by the bank. For natural persons it is common that the applicants have their own resources only in the amount of 10 % of the purchase price. For legal entities, the required percentage of own funds may be higher. Banks may require down payment for the mortgage in the amount 20 % to 50 % of purchase price of the property.

If your company is considering purchasing a property and you would like to consult your investment project with a mortgage specialist, do not hesitate to contact us and arrange a free consultation.

The Chamber of Deputies approved the abolition of real estate transfer tax

The abolition of real estate transfer tax in the Czech Republic has already been the subject of discussion several times. However, during the coronavirus crisis, the pressure to cancel the tax increased to the point, where the government approved the draft law on transfer tax abolition in May. The proposal to abolish the real estate transfer tax with 4% tax rate of the total purchase price was approved by the Chamber of Deputies, and the proposal will then be forwarded to the Senate for voting. After that the Senate will have 30 days to discuss it and vote.

Drafting proposal maintained the tax deduction of interest rates. Tax deduction of the total paid interest will be possible up to the maximum of CZK 150,000. This amount represents half of the current maximum amount that can be deducted from taxes. The new limit for interest deduction will be applicable to loans signed after January 1, 2022.

The draft law not only includes the tax abolition, but also includes a new time test for the payment of income tax on the sale of real estate. The test will be extended from the original 5 years to 10 years of property ownership. The extended time test will be valid for properties acquired from 1 January 2021.

The abolition of the property transfer tax should help the real estate market in times of crisis. Future development of the real estate and mortgage market will also depend on the development of the coronavirus situation. In case of a positive development, mortgage applicants could look forward to interesting offers from banks. Otherwise there is a risk of reintroducing stricter criteria for mortgage applicants.

June´s update: News from the Czech mortgage market

June 24, 2020

Abolishment of the real estate transfer tax
The real estate transfer tax is supposed to be canceled as the draft law was further discussed during the meeting of Czech Chamber of Deputies. This change would mean that buyers are no longer subject to the 4 % tax rate of the tax base. Tax base was usually the purchase price of the property you were buying.

Decline of Interest Rates
Due to the pandemic Czech banks sharply declined interest rates of mortgage loans. The average interest rate is running at 2.30% nowadays. Currently we are able to get the interest rate below 2% p.a. for our clients!

Mortgage Loans Requirements
It is important to mention that the limitations introduced during the pandemic are still in force, but things are slowly getting back to normal as the health situation is safe and stable in the Czech Republic.

Czech Government Abolished Property Acquisition Tax; what does it mean for property purchasers?

May 18, 2020

Abolishment of the real estate transfer tax have been officially announced by the Government of the Czech Republic. This decision might be crucial for those who have been hesitating to purchase the property. 

This tax was levied in respect of the acquisition of the immovable property located in the Czech Republic. This means that buyer had been subject to the 4 % tax rate of the tax base. Tax base was usually purchase price of the property you were buying. 

The reason Czech Government decide to abolish the tax is to help the economy in times of crisis. When purchasers are not obliged to pay the tax, they can spend the money on something else. For example they can buy more expensive property or they use the money as a down payment for the mortgage loan. 

Let's suppose that the purchase price of the apartment in Prague is CZK 5,300,000. Before the abolishment you would have to pay the tax which means extra CZK 212,000. In case you pay the purchase price with the borrowed money from the bank, you would be asked by the bank to have another CZK 530,000 as a down payment for the mortgage loan. To sum it up, to buy a CZK 5,300,000 property in Czech Republic you needed at least CZK 742,000 from your own savings.

Nowadays you need only 10%, i.e. CZK 530,000 which means more people can afford to buy their own apartment or house. What if you already have the abovementioned CZK 742,000? You can use the sum as a down payment for the mortgage loan and bank might borrow you additional CZK 6,678,000, therefore you can purchase a property for market price up to the CZK 7,420,000. If you are looking for best mortgage loan to buy your property, don't hesitate to contact us!

Czech National Bank in reaction to the coronavirus spreading has adjusted the conditions for mortgage lending

April 16, 2020

After the Board of the CNB decided to liberalize some of the limits last week, more applicants have higher chance to fulfill the requirements for obtaining the mortgage loan.

Following measures were changed:

• Loan to value indicator LTV was increased up to the 90% (from 80%). It means bank will borrow you 90% of the purchase price of the property, therefore you required to have only 10% of your own savings.
• The upper limit on the debt service-to-income DSTI ratio is nowadays 50% (before it was 45%). Successful mortgage applicants should not be spending more than 50% of their net monthly income on loan repayments.
• Limit on the debt-to-income ratios DTI is no longer applicable. Before the pandemic applicant's their overall debt should not exceed nine times their net annual income.

Cheaper mortgages can be expected this spring

March 19, 2020

Even this spring increase of interest rate is not expected due to the current health situation. Although we were expecting interest rates to increase early this year, coronavirus have changed the situation on financial markets. The sharp decline of interest rates on interbank market affected price of money which means mortgage loans will be cheaper. 

Many countries around the world are dropping key interest rates as they are trying to fight the economic slowdown caused by coronavirus spreading. Early this week the Czech National Bank (CNB) reduced base interest rate by 0.50 to 1.75 percent. This precaution was implemented in order to minimalize negative effect on the economy.

Nowadays prognosis indicates that there will be 20% - 40% decline in total revenues; therefore the CNB reduced the base rate to support economy and business. When interest rates are reduced, cheaper mortgage loans will be offered by banks, therefore we are expecting favorable mortgages offers this spring. This situation might be beneficial for those who are considering house or apartment purchase during forthcoming months.

What is the average cost per square meter of property in the European main cities?

February 18, 2020

Looking to purchase a new apartment? If you are dreaming about purchasing an apartment in one of the main European cities, than we have a short price per square meter comparison. Find an average price per square meter of property in eight cities.

The average price per square meter showed below consists of average price in city centres and outside of the centres. In some cities like Paris, London or Stockholm the price in the city centre and outside may differs a lot, in other cities the price difference is not that significant.

• Amsterdam: EUR 6,393
• Berlin: EUR 4,888
• London: EUR 11,729
• Madrid: EUR 4,102
• Paris: EUR 9,870
• Prague: EUR 4,278
• Rome: EUR 4,634
• Stockholm: EUR 6,933
• Vienna: EUR 5,358
  
  

Before you decide on the area you want to buy an apartment, research the market to make you are getting value for money. If you need a help while looking for the best apartment for you, do not hesitate to contact us.

These data are based on property owner's entries in the past 12 - 18 months.
Source https://www.numbeo.com/property-investment/

Mortgage Interest tax deduction in the Czech Republic

January 17, 2020

Are you paying a loan and wondering how the deduction of interests works? Tax deduction can be conducted while you are submitting periodic tax declarations. The mortgage interest deduction is offered as an incentive for a natural person - an employee or self-employed person. Paid interests are deductible from income tax base. This means your tax base will be lower and you will pay less than without the interest deduction. You are allow to deduct paid interest in maximum amount of CZK 300,000 per year. With a 15 % income tax rate you can save up to CZK 45,000 per year.

Qualifications for a Full Mortgage Interest Deduction:

1. You are obliged to be a contracting party. Contracting party in this case is a natural person - an employee or self-employed person.
   
   
2. Specification of person who is receiving the loan. It does not have to be you, but the loan should receive the person close to you. It means family member such as siblings, parents, husband, wife or a person you are living with.
   
   
3. Purpose of the mortgage loan as it has to be provided for housing needs. It means the mortgage loan was provided for the purpose of house or apartment purchase, reconstruction, remuneration for the share on private dwelling or other purposes connected with housing.

Young singles are increasing demand for apartments and mortgages

November 11, 2019

Growing interest in apartments in Prague is accompanied by rising popularity of single living. Recent data provided by the Czech Statistical Office suggests that in Prague 22% of women and 17% of men are living single. The largest housing developer in the Czech Republic (Central Group) confirmed this trend. While until 2010 men had been buying new houses or apartments, since 2015 this trend has reverted. Women are buying new houses/apartments more often than men.

Woman are prioritizing small apartments as it gives them not only higher chance to obtain mortgage loan, but it will also ensure the ageing well. Michaela Tomášková, Central Group CEO explains: "Women think about the future more than man do, owning the property provides them certain level of guarantees and suitable way for maintaining living standards in old age. In addition, owning the property proves the economic independence of women." (source: Nový byt v Praze kupují nejčastěji ženy ve věku 40 let. Trh určují hlavně singles - Central Group 2019, Prague).

Young single people take out nearly a half of mortgage loans granted in Czechia, with men deciding to invest in their housing at the age of 36 and women a year later, according to data of UniCredit Bank. Male singles borrow an average CZK 2m and female singles' loans are CZK 300k lower on average, said UniCredit Bank's Petr Plocek (source: Singles take out almost half of mortgages in CR - UniCredit Bank 2019, Prague).

Couples are provided with loans worth CZK 2.3m on average. If you want to identify possibilities for obtaining mortgage loan, don't hesitate to contact us!

Foreigners in the Czech republic will have easier access to mortgages

August 20, 2019

One of the Czech bank came out with a new mortgage product exclusively for foreigners. From now on they no longer have to have any type of residence in Czech republic in order to apply for a mortgage. Currently the only requirement is to prove that they have an income in Czech republic for two years. This new product will be helpful for expats working in the Czech Republic.

Applying for a mortgage these days is very convenient since banks are still trying to entice clients by offering them better terms and conditions. Even though the Czech National Bank has increased the prime rate this year the interest rates of mortgages offered by the banks are still decreasing.

The lower interest rates on Czech market will continue

July 23, 2019

According to the latest news the Czech National Bank ("CNB") hasn´t changed the interest rates. We can expect the interest rates to be the same or lower during the summer and in the second part of this year.

The soon to be presented novelty - amendment to the Act by the CNB which could help younger people, those under 36 years of the age to get a mortgage. These young people could apply for a 90% LTV mortgage or could be offered better interest rates.

Currently, the banks can standartly offer 80% LTV mortgages and in it is very rare for banks to offer 90% LTV mortgages. About these exeptional clients the banks are deciding by themselves. The only condition is that the overall 90% LTV mortgages can not exceed 15% of the total money lent.

The interest rates of mortgages are decresing!

June 13, 2019

The interest rates of mortgage loans are still decreasing due to special offers from the banks. The mortgage demand had decreased since the start of 2019 and banks are trying to keep their clients and get new ones. Their other offer is the possibility to get a mortgage with a long fixation period with much better interest rate.

Many banks, such as Ceska Sporitelna, CSOB, or UniCredit Bank, are offering a fixation period for long-term such as ten years, fifteen or even twenty years.

The Czech National Bank has increased the interest rates which still has not projected on the interest rates of the banks.

Ceska sporitelna has a novelty where people buying their fist property can get better conditions when applying for a mortgage. Nowadays they can get a mortgage loan up to 90% of the purchase price. All they need to do is to go to the Land Registry Office and prove that they don´t own any property.

Currently there are also many interesting campaigns from other big banks such as Komercni banka, Hypotecni banka or Raiffeisenbank.

Feel free to ask us for the solution which would just suit your needs!

Many banks extended their special offers and the mortgages have better conditions now

May 15, 2019

Many banks extended their campaigns and they are still offering mortgage loans for better conditions. This situation should be the same the whole May.

The major change happened recently, when the Czech National Bank increased the prime rate finally. However, the pressure of competition between banks and the interest of the banks to sell more mortgage loans still keeps the interest rates low, but there is a possibility of an increase in interest rates at the end of May or in the beginning of June.

That can cause a problem mainly in large cities, such as Prague, where is a very small supply of apartments which are demanded. The Czech economic is starting to slow down a bit so the interest rates might stay on current leven for a while.

The Czech National Bank hasn´t increased the prime rate, mortgages for younger people should be more affordable

The Czech National Bank has decided to reduce banks´ fees on mortgages

March 20, 2019

Czech National Bank has decided to ban some of the fees on early repayment of the mortgages. This regulation should help arrange better conditions for applicants for a mortgage.

Currently the banks can only charge:

• Fees associated with the early repayment of a mortgage and these need to be reasonable and related to the costs of the repayment directly.
• These fees include administration, postage, copying documentation, the fees for providing a mortgage or the fees for evaluation.

Overview of current mortgage conditions for foreigners on the Czech market

February 28, 2019

Most of the expats and foreigners ask if they are able to get a mortgage in the Czech Republic and what are the current conditions. Here is a brief overview what you can expect:

• Most common LTV "loan to value" is 80% LTV, however it is also possible to get 90% mortgage at some cases.
• The interest rates are same as for the locals.
  
• Temporary or permanent residency is more than welcome but not necessary.
• Income from the Czech Republic is a good advantage, but the banks accept also income from abroad, especially if you are an employee.
  
• If you ask for a mortgage with Czech citizen (e.g. with a partner, husband or wife) it would help a lot.

The forecast of Czech mortgage and Real Estate market for this year

January 31, 2019

The year 2019 has already started and we provide you with our prediction for the upcoming months. Let´s start with the Czech mortgage market first.

Last year we noticed significant increasing trend of bank´s interest rates due to the rising by the Czech National Bank. Currently the interest rates of mortgage are attacking 3% p.a. Thus, it has to be said that the current rates are still quite low if we look at it from a long-term perspective. We could say that the interest rates are still "better than average" nowadays.

And what about the Czech Real Estate market?

The properties had very fast increasing trend within the end of the last year, especially in Prague, the capital city. The real estate market in Prague is driven by high demand and we expect that the increasing trend will continue slowly also this year. Based on the current macroeconomics data we do not expect any downtrend or crash of the Prague real estate market.

Finally, it is important to mentioned that you can still find very suitable properties with friendly conditions of financing so feel free to contact us or arrange a meeting with us. We will be happy to discuss the financing with you.

Why to obtain a mortgage for a company? What are the advantages?

December 27, 2018

If you are looking for an investment property and financing in the Czech Republic it might be helpful to consider if to obtain a personal mortgage for a personal property or if rather buy a property for a company. There are many aspects that should be considered. The main advantages why to buy a property for a company are below:

• If you buy a company which owns a property instead of buying a standard property you will save 4% from the purchase price for real estate transfer tax.
• You will save on accounting effect, i.e. depreciation of a property.
• Most of the costs for repairements and related services are tax deductible.
  
• You could get very good mortgage conditions also for foreigners withnout any residency or income in the Czech Republic.
• Your property will be in a separated ownership from your personal assets.

The interest rates of mortgages are rising again

November 6, 2018

Overview of mortgage solutions for foreigners

September 20, 2018

The summer brings new approach to the mortgage financing for foreigners in the Czech Republic. What are the current options and how to get a financing for your property?

Generally there are three ways of financing that we use with our clients:

• Banking mortgage loan;
• Business mortgage loan, i.e. mortgage on a company; and
• Non-banking mortgage loan.

Since October 1, 2018 the new restrictions will be valid on the mortgages

June 26, 2018

The Czech mortgage market has changed a lot within past months. And, unfortunately some new changes are coming.

New restrictions from Czech National Bank will be effective on October 1, 2018. There will be two new limits for mortgage applicants:

• maximum loan amount will be 9-times of annual net income (DTI ratio); and

• maximum loan instalment cannot exceed 45% of the net monthly income (DSTI ratio).
  

Remember to pay property tax

May 30, 2018

If you own a property in the Czech Republic you are obliged to pay a property tax for another year by 31 May 2018. If you paid later (after 5 June 2018) you would receive a penalty from the Czech Tax Authority.

Regarding the payment details you should received a notice e.g. via email or letter within the past weeks. There should be mentioned the amount of your property tax and bank account details as well.

Generaly the property tax has to be paid for apartments, houses, villas, lands and some other properties so if you have not done the payment yet do it as soon as possible.

Spring campaigns have already started!

April 10, 2018

Every year the Czech banks attract potential clients to the banks. The spring campaigns have already started. What is the benefit for clients?

Currently the banks usually offer:

• property evaluation free of charge;
• special interest rates;
  
• one-time financial bonuses; or
• processing the mortgage free of charge

Generally the interest rates are going up so do not miss the current special spring offers!

The Czech National Bank has raised the interest rates since 2 February 2018

February 2, 2018

The Czech National Bank raised the key interest rate (2T repo) by 0.25% according to analysts expectation. The impact on interest rates on mortgages can be expected very soon.

Third rate increases over the last 7 months
After August and November rallies, the Board of Czech National Bank approached a further increase of interest rates on 1 February 2018. This step has been expected since December last year, so it is more a confirmation of earlier forecasts than a surprise for the market.

Banks are increasing interest rates significantly
Some banks have been expecting this step, and have changed their interest rates as early as February 1, 2018. For others, the price is likely to follow in most days or weeks.

Two more times this year
According to forecasts, the Czech National Bank could raise interest rates by a similar value two more times this year. The most likely one is to expect a further increase in the spring, e.g. in May and then in autumn, about October.

However, the Czech banks offer still very friendly mortgage conditions and also for the foreign citizens!

Do not forget to file a Tax Return from real estate

January 23, 2018

If you buy e.g. a land, flat, cottage or apartment within the last year 2017 you will be required to file a property tax return.

The deadline is on January 31, 2018 so you have only few more days!

Once you file the tax return you have few months for paying the real estate tax. The deadline for the payment is set on May 31, 2018.

If you solve this tax return or financing feel free to contact us.

Mortgages will be still available on the Czech market next year

December 21, 2017

The fact is that the Czech mortgage market has changed a lot within a few past months. We have new Act related to the loans started 1 December 2016, the payer of real estate transfer tax is the buyer (previously it was the seller) and the Czech National Bank increased basic interest rates twice this year.

Despite all of this the mortgages are still very available on the Czech mortgage market and this situation should continue during the next year 2018.

Feel free to contact us and ask us for more details about the financing.

Interest rates will continue to grow, fix your interest rate in time!

November 22, 2017

On 2nd November 2017 the Czech National Bank increased the general interest rates by 0.25% again. The Czech banks will not wait with increasing the interest rate of the mortgages.

Currently it is possible to get a mortgage loan with the interest rate of 1.79% p.a. for a shorter fixation period. Nevertheless, the interest rates will be above 2% p.a. in average next year.

If you plan to buy a property, do a reconstruction or refinance your current mortgage loan we would advise you to start immediately and fix the lower interest rates in time.

It could happen that the interests will attack 2.5% p.a. during the next year.

Contact us right now and we will find the solution for you.

The real estate price growth could stop soon

October 26, 2017

Probably you have noticed that the prices of apartments grew in few past years, especially in Prague. The increasing trend was very significant. The prices of the new apartments in Prague grew by 21.50% in the last 24 months. Currently it seems that the peak could be really close.

Many analysts predict the cooling of the real estate market in the next year 2018. On the other hand the demand is still very strong especially in attractive locations.

To sum up if you are going to sell the property in the Czech Republic you have the best time to do it nowadays.

Czech National Bank increased the interest rates and it has already impact on the mortgages

September 5, 2017

At the beginning of August Czech National Bank increased the interest rates after almost 10 years of declining and stagnating trend. The incresing was not too much significant - only 0.20%.

However, the banks as mortgage providers have already reacted on this change and increased the interest rates. Some banks are still waiting on another market change, but it is very likely that the other banks will follow these banks during the upcoming months.

The market conditions remain still very positive and friendly, but it seems that the stable trend has already changed and we can expect a new trend of slightly increasing interest rates.

The interest rates are still below 2% p.a.

July 25, 2017

The interest rates of our clients are still below 2% p.a. The several last clients achieved the interest rates in the range between 1.79% p.a. and 1.89% p.a. which is great result due to the slightly increasing trend of the interest rates in the past months.

Generally the average interest rates are around 2% p.a. on the Czech mortgage market so the conditions remain very positive also in comparison to other European countries.

The forecasts of the interest rates agree that the slow increasing trend should continue in the second half of this year and the upcoming year as well.

To sum up the market conditions are still very friendly to the new clients nowadays.

Czech mortgage market could change soon

June 13, 2017

If you live in the Czech Republic you probably noticed the discussion about another new regulation on the Czech mortgage market and real estate market.

The Czech National Bank is afraid of overheating the Czech real estate market and they seek to gain greater regulatory powers. Currently this discussion is on a daily basis.

Fortunately, this regulation should not have a direct impact on the foreigners who would like to get a mortgage in the Czech Republic.

Nevertheless, it might be better to start with the mortgage process sooner rather than later and prepare the financing in advance. We will keep you updated if any changes would come.

Feel free to contact us in this respect.

Few simple steps to get a mortgage

May 11, 2017

Do you thinking about getting the mortgage loan in the Czech Republic? If you follow the below mentioned step plan it could be easier for you to orientate yourself on the Czech mortgage and real estate market:

1) Meet the Mortgage specialist - Mortgage specialist will help you to understand the whole process, compare the banks´ offers and will guide you during the transaction to the successful end.

2) Choose the right mortgage for you - Would you like to have 80% LTV mortgage or 90% LTV mortgage? Do you want to have a shorter or longer fixation period? How long should be a duration of your mortgage? By answering these and other questions you will choose the right mortgage for you with your Mortgage specialist.

3) Provide the necessary documents - The bank will need a few documents from your side, which is mainly confirmation of your income, bank account statements, copy of your ID and other forms which will be prepared by the mortgage broker.

4) Sign & withdraw the mortgage - Once your mortgage is approved, you will sign it and meet the withdrawing conditions with the assitance of your Mortgage specialist.

Afterwards, you can enjoy your new property!

Czech National Bank regulates the conditions for providing mortgage loans

April 3, 2017

Starting 1 April the Czech National Bank regulates mortgages with higher LTV ratio. In practise it means that the banks could provide to the new clients mortgages only up to 90% of a purchase price, resp. a pledge value.

Moreover, the best mortgage conditions are for the mortgages up to 80% from 1 April 2017.

Last year it was possible to get 100% mortgage and since 1 October the maximum mortgage was 95% LTV.

On the other side many clients has their own savings and we usually recommend to have a deposit of 15-30% from the purchase price.

If you think about financing of a property in the Czech Republic, feel free to ask us for a preliminary calculation.

Taxes in the Czech Republic related to the real estates

February 1, 2017

We offen receive questions regarding the tax system in the Czech Republic. Find below the general overview of the taxes that might interest you if you would like to own a property here:

Personal Income Tax (15%) - If you will rent an apartment or house you will be taxed by the personal income tax. The tax base could be decreased by costs of 30% from rental income.

Corporate Income Tax (19%) - In case you will have a corporate mortgage you will pay 19% from the tax base (income minus costs).

Real Estate Tax - The owners of lands, apartments and houses pay a real estate tax every year. The tax is calculated from square metres and it depends mainly on a location of the property. This tax is very low, e.g. for 80m2 apartment in Prague you will pay only c. CZK 1,000 per year.

Real Estate Transfer Tax (4%) - This tax has the main impact on a purchase process. You will pay 4% from a purchase price (or from an evaluation price in some cases) within 3 months after buying the property.

Generally the taxation in the Czech Republic is not so big in comparison to other European Union countries.

New Act started on 1 December. What is the impact for foreigners?

December 9, 2016

On 1 December 2016 new Act started which has also impact on mortgages for foreigners. Here is a brief overview:

• It is possible to finance up to 90% LTV (means 90% of a purchase / evaluation price). The most common is to use 85% mortgage.
• The limit for a purchase of a building apartment is 80% LTV (!) This might be a very interesting way of financing for investors, because only 20% as a downpayment is needed.
  
• For other general rental purposes the limit is set on 60% LTV (if a future rental income is calculated).
  
• The maximum early repayment fee after 24 months of a mortgage duration is only 1% from the mortgage amount.
• Extraordinary payments of 25% from a mortgage per annum is free of charge, so with no penalties.
• The interest rates are still very competitive below 2% p.a. currently.
  

Real Estate Transfer Tax - change of the taxpayer

November 3, 2016

Starting 1 November 2016 the new Act related to the Real Estate Transfer Tax became into force. Before this date a seller and a buyer were abble to agree who will pay the tax for the transfer.

Currently the tax payer has to be always the buyer in all cases.

The amount of the tax is at the same level of 4% from a purchase price (or the evaluation price if the purchase price is significantly lower).

Hurry up! The new Act will come into force already on 1 December

October 7, 2016

Many changes on the Czech mortgage market are coming this autumn:

i) The Czech National Bank limited max. LTV (loan-to-value ratio) from 100% to 95%. This restriction is valid from 1 October 2016. Currently the buyers need at least 5% as a downpayment.

ii) Since 1 November 2016 there is a change of real estate transfer tax act and the taxpayer will be always the buyer of a property. The amount of tax will remain on the same level which is 4% from a purchase price.

iii) Starting 1 December 2016 the new Act will come into force and it will change the mortgage market quite a lot. There will be some new limits, e.g. a limit of 60% mortgage for rental purposes. On the other hand new Act includes also new benefits for the clients such as lower penalties of early repayment of a mortgage.

Historically low interest rates!

September 21, 2016

Based on the FINCENTRUM HYPOINDEX (https://www.hypoindex.cz) the average interest rate of mortgage loans decreased to 1.84% p.a. in August 2016 in the Czech Republic. The decreasing trend continues to historically low interest rates!

Here are the comparison of average interest rates during the last three months:

• August 2016: 1.84% p.a.
• July 2016: 1.88% p.a.
• June 2016: 1.87% p.a.

Coming changes of the Czech mortgage market

June 20, 2016

The Czech National Bank ("CNB") wil influence the maximum LTV (Loan to value) of the mortgages. The CNB recommends max 95% LTV from 1 October 2016 and max. 90% LTV from 1 April 2017. The true is, that this is only the recommendation, but the banks which will provide loans above this max. LTV settled by the CNB will need more capital to cover these loans. In other words these mortgages will be still available, but the conditions for clients might not be so friendly as today.

Moreover, new Act of consumer loans was agreed by parlament of the Czech Republic and it also influences the mortgages. The clients will be able to repay the 25% of the mortgage every year without any penalities or repay the whole mortgage in case of difficult life situations. This Act should be valid from October or November this year.

May is the best month of the year to take a mortgage

May 15, 2016

The interest rates of the mortgages are recordly low, because Czech banks have still attractive spring campaigns. This month is the best to take a mortgage for a variety of reasons.

Firstly, as mentioned above the interest rates are recordly low so you can have a great conditions of your mortgage in May.

Secondly, the purchase prices of apartments and houses are still acceptable, but the forecast is that a growing trend is coming. So do not wait for a long time.

Moreover, a new tax act will be effective during the summer or autumn, so the buyer will pay a real estate transfer tax of 4% from a purchase price.

Nowadays, the conditions are very friendly on the Czech market to take a mortgage. Feel free to contact us and you will get a personalised mortgage and conditions.

Spring campaigns keep interest rates very low!

April 11, 2016

Many banks which provide mortgages in the Czech Republic started spring campaigns last week. The campaigns are different, but with the same result for the clients: you will save money now.

At some banks they have special interest rates, some of them have a discount on fees or have some services without any fees.

The conditions for buying a property is still great at the Czech market and if you think about a mortgage feel free to contact us to get an individual interest rates and conditions.

Czech mortgage market in 2016

January 12, 2016

If you were not able to find your dream property during the last year, where the interest rates of mortgages were extremely low in the Czech Republic, you will have another chance for a great conditions in 2016.

The mortgage market has had a record-low interest rates of mortgages in its history in the Czech Republic. The average interest rate of a mortgage was during the whole year around 2% p.a.

Despite of the expectations of economists the interest rates remained low also after the summer time and after autumn as well.

Nevertheless, if you did not find the right property for you last year don´t worry. The very friedly conditions should remain for the whole year 2016! The prediction of economists is that there might be a very slowly increasing trend of mortgage interest rates, but the rates will be still very low.

Once you will find a suitable property for you feel free to ask us for financing and individual conditions.

Interest rates decreased again!

December 10, 2015

Based on the FINCENTRUM HYPOINDEX (https://www.hypoindex.cz) the average interest rate of mortgage loans decreased to 2.09% p.a. in November 2015 in the Czech Republic. The decreasing trend from the beginning of the year still continues.

Here are the comparison of average interest rates during the last three months:

• September 2015: 2.11% p.a.
• October 2015: 2.12% p.a.
• November 2015: 2.09% p.a.

Mortgage market trends in the Czech Republic

September 1, 2015

This summer we can observe a changing trend of the interest rates in the Czech Republic. Two of the Czech Top 3 banks increased its interest rates in June. The third bank from Top 3 will increase the interest rates during the first half of September. Does it mean that we are at the beginning of a new increasing trend?

The predictions of the Czech leading economists are mostly the same and conservative as well. Based on the main prognosis the interest rates should turn its trend and set the rates on a little bit higher level than in the previous months. Generally, it is not expected that the interest rates would arise very fast in the second half of this year. The predictions say that the increasing trend could be very slow. Due to the competition between the banks it could also happen that the interest rates would be constant during this autumn.

If you are looking for the right property, do not worry about the increasing interest rates so much, because the mortgage conditions are going to be still very positive in the following months on the Czech market in a comparison to the previous years.

Of course, that an unexpected economic occurrence might change the situation very fast, so do not wait unnecessarily for too long.

Mortgages are easily available, but think twice

June 11, 2015

The interest rates may unpleasantly increase after the fixation period. Think of it already in the negotiation of mortgages, and consider everything well.

The interest rates are still decreasing and mortgage loans are cheaper than during the previous years in the Czech Republic and in the Central Europe as well. It is particular important to remember that the current agreed interest rate is valid only for a fixed period and not for the entire duration of your mortgage. The fixation period is usually set at 3, 5 or 7 years. After this period, you will have a different interest rate and due to the fact that interest rates are very low nowadays, you can assume that your interest rate may be significantly higher and thus your monthly payment.

Let's show an illustrative example. Suppose you are planning to buy an apartment in June 2015 and take a mortgage in the amount of CZK 2 million. Your interest rate will be 1.89% per annum and your monthly payment would be CZK 7,283 in case of 30 years duration of your mortgage. You choose a 5 year fixation period so this conditions will be valid until June 2020. And what's next?

The monthly payment may raise by thousands of crowns after the fixation period.

The bank will offer you the new conditions to continue and you can decide if you stay at the same bank or you leave and refinance the mortgage to another bank in June 2020. However, the interest rates generally depend on the current economic situation and it may happen that in 5 years you will have the interest rate almost by 3 percentage points higher!

For example, you can negotiate new interest rate of 4.89% per annum in June 2020 and your monthly payment would increase to CZK 10,062. In comparison to your former monthly payment would be your new payment higher after the fixation by CZK 2,779!

The question is: Are you prepared to pay substantially higher payment if the interest rate will increase? Or your budget is set on the maximum and you can get into the trouble with paying the mortgage in case of increasing interest rates?

We advise our clients on the possibility that their monthly payment can be up to several thousand crowns higher than it is today in a time of low interest rates.

How can you prepare?

The preferred option is to create the financial reserves to be able to cover increased monthly payments. If it is not possible, it is advisable to reconsider mortgage financing or choose a cheaper property in this case.

The mortgages are definitely easily available, but think ahead. It is mostly a commitment for 20 or 30 years, not only for the first fixation period (eg 5 years).

Interest rates decreased again! Average rate is 2.11% p.a.

May 21, 2015

Based on the FINCENTRUM HYPOINDEX (https://www.hypoindex.cz) the average interest rate of mortgage loans decreased to 2.11% p.a. in April 2015 in the Czech Republic. The decreasing trend from the beginning of the year continues.

Here are the comparison of average interest rates during this year:

• January 2015: 2.34% p.a.
• February 2015: 2.27% p.a.
• March 2015: 2.16% p.a.
• April 2015: 2.11% p.a.

Average interest rate decreased to 2.16% p.a.

April 22, 2015

Based on the FINCENTRUM HYPOINDEX (https://www.hypoindex.cz) the average interest rate of mortgage loans decreased to 2.16% p.a. in March 2015 in the Czech Republic. This year´s decreasing trend is also obvious as in the last year 2014.

Here are the comparison of average interest rates during this year:

• January 2015: 2.34% p.a.
• February 2015: 2.27% p.a.
• March 2015: 2.16% p.a.