Starting in 2027, housing companies will most likely be able to decide for themselves whether to ban smoking in their buildings and outdoor areas. This is a big change. Until now, only a municipality (!) could impose such a ban, which in practice has meant that most housing companies couldn’t do anything about it, even
Nordea recently released a statement suggesting that, with the rise in interest rates, home ownership has become more expensive than renting. The news circulated in the media as a sensational headline. But what does it actually mean in practice, and should you change your mindset about buying a home? Let’s take a closer look at
In August 2026, the Finnish Real Estate Federation raised a topic that almost always falls into a buyer’s blind spot in property transactions: a housing company’s locking system patent protection may have expired, and that changes the entire security equation. This is not a theoretical risk. It can mean a concrete bill for you right
Locking System in a Housing Company: What a Buyer Must Check Read More »
Yle reported in August 2026 that property price data is not easily available online. This is not a minor technical detail. It means that the average buyer enters one of their biggest financial decisions without proper data. The seller and the agent have the information. The buyer does not. What the problem really is The
Property prices online: where buyers can find data to support their purchase Read More »
The 30-year mortgage is the most common choice for first-time buyers – yet it’s surprisingly rarely discussed. OUN® already has analyses of 35 and 40 year loan terms, but this one was missing entirely. Let’s fix that now. Consumer confidence is at its highest since 2022 according to Hypo’s June 2026 economic review, and the
30-year mortgage: a suitable choice for first-time buyers Read More »
The property manager’s certificate is one of the most important documents in a property transaction. Yet it is also one of the most error-prone. This is a problem because the buyer makes their decision largely based on the information stated in the certificate. What’s the issue? KVKL’s CEO Jussi Mannerberg has publicly raised the issue
The Bank of Finland commented and Yle reported at the end of June on a matter that directly affects everyone applying for a mortgage: the down payment requirement for home loans is decreasing. For first-time home buyers, the change sounds like good news. With a smaller initial capital, you can enter the market sooner! But
Down payment decreasing: what it means for buyers Read More »
Here at OUN®, we’re used to looking at the housing market with a fairly critical eye. That’s our job, and honesty compels us to do so. But now: there’s something in the air that we haven’t seen in a long time. No fanfare, no bubbles. But signs. Record Number of Loan Offers in Uusimaa Satu
The housing market is turning around! Is this it? Read More »
A 40-year mortgage sounds like an attractive option: lower monthly payments, easier to qualify for, and you can finally become a homeowner. But before you sign anything, it’s important to understand what a long loan term really costs. The Bank of Finland has already warned that new mortgage regulations could lead to significantly higher debt
40-Year Mortgage, Vol. 2: What First-Time Home Buyers Need to Know Read More »
The media is currently abuzz with talk of 35- to 40-year mortgages. Rising interest rates have made monthly payments higher than they were a couple of years ago. A long loan term is appealing because it lowers the monthly payment. But is it really worth it? Why a long loan term seems appealing For many
A 35-Year Mortgage: When Is a Longer Loan Term Worth It? Read More »
