{"id":1930,"date":"2026-06-03T18:35:30","date_gmt":"2026-06-03T15:35:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/oun.fi\/?p=1930"},"modified":"2026-06-03T18:38:57","modified_gmt":"2026-06-03T15:38:57","slug":"mortgage-risk","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/oun.fi\/en\/mortgage-risk\/","title":{"rendered":"mortgage risk?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Mortgages have traditionally been a safe choice for Finns. Now the wind is changing. According to a recent survey by S-Pankki, 44% of Finns consider a mortgage to be a financial risk. A year ago, the figure was 33%. <\/p>\n

Meanwhile, the government has already eased mortgage rules twice this year. In April, loan periods were extended to 40 years. In June, the self-financing rate for first-home savings loans fell from 10% to 5%. The aim was to stimulate the housing market and make it easier to buy a first home. <\/p>\n

The Bank of Finland warns loudly. But is there cause for panic? <\/p>\n

Rising interest rates erode confidence<\/h2>\n

The 12-month Euribor has risen this year from around 2% to almost 2.8%. Nordea expects four rate hikes by the end of the year. The European Central Bank’s deposit rate could rise to 3%. <\/p>\n

For homeowners, this means hundreds of euros more per month. For a loan of \u20ac300 000, a one percentage point increase will raise the monthly cost by around \u20ac250. That’s a big sum for a middle-income family. <\/p>\n

S-Pankki economist Janne Ronkanen says rising interest rate pressures and weak employment are dampening household borrowing. People are afraid. But there are ways to manage risks. <\/p>\n

Interest rate hedging takes on a new role<\/h2>\n

In a world of rising interest rates, interest rate hedging is becoming increasingly important. A fixed-rate loan or the purchase of interest-only caps can provide a peaceful night’s sleep for years to come. <\/p>\n

Banks are now offering more aggressive interest rate hedging products. The price has gone up, but many families are finding it pays off in peace of mind. If you know exactly how much your monthly instalment will be for the next three years, budgeting is easier. <\/p>\n

Loan insurance has also gained new popularity. Unemployment insurance pays the monthly instalments on a loan if you lose your job. Disability insurance works in the same way in the event of illness. Prices start from a few tens of euros per month. <\/p>\n

A 40-year loan – opportunity or risk?<\/h2>\n

The government’s idea was simple. A longer loan period reduces the monthly payment and makes it easier to buy a home. With a 40-year loan, you get around \u20ac100 000 more for the same monthly payment than with a 25-year loan. <\/p>\n

The Bank of Finland sees it differently. Marja Nyk\u00e4nen, Vice-Chair of the Board, warns that regulatory changes will not stimulate the housing market quickly, but will lead to higher house prices in the longer term. <\/p>\n

The problem is simple. If people get more loans, they will offer higher prices for housing. Prices go up, and eventually everyone pays more. <\/p>\n

Nordea sees an opportunity. They say a longer loan can make Finns wealthier if the money freed up is invested wisely. A 40-year loan frees up money for investments that can generate more than the interest on the loan costs. Those buying a home should also take into account any company loan on the property.<\/a> <\/p>\n

First-time homebuyers get relief<\/h2>\n

The drop in the co-financing rate for first-home savings loans to 5% is<\/a> a tangible relief for young people. For a \u20ac200 000 home, it is now enough to save \u20ac10 000 instead of \u20ac20 000. <\/p>\n

With less self-financing, the debt ratio rises, but this is offset by a significant fall in house prices in recent years. Many homes now cost tens of thousands of euros less than a few years ago. <\/p>\n

Mari Govenius of S-Pankki talks about flexibility and accumulating investment wealth. The idea makes sense: if you save EUR 10 000 in an ASP account and invest the remaining EUR 10 000, you can increase your wealth while building a foundation for home ownership. If you’re thinking of buying your first home, you should also check out our buying guide!<\/a> <\/p>\n

What do the statistics really say?<\/h2>\n

According to the Bank of Finland, the average length of new mortgage loans is now 23 years. People are already taking out shorter loans than they could. Why? Because they want to get out of debt faster. <\/p>\n

But at a time of low interest rates, a long loan was a sensible choice. If you get a 1.5 percent loan and invest the money to earn 5 percent, you will earn 3.5 percent a year. At higher interest rates, the formula changes. <\/p>\n

Now that interest rates are rising, shorter-term loans may be wiser. Or take a long loan but hedge it. There are options. <\/p>\n

If the dwelling is subject to a company loan, the… Well, a loan, which must be paid. Read about paying a company loan when buying a house!<\/a> <\/p>\n

The truth is a balancing act<\/h2>\n

The risks of mortgages have increased, but so have the means to manage them. Interest rate hedging, insurance and better loan terms provide tools for smart risk management. <\/p>\n

First-time buyers are finding it easier than it has been for years to enter the market. Prices have fallen, loan terms have eased and interest rate protection is available. It takes planning, but the opportunities are there. <\/p>\n

More experienced buyers can take advantage of the market situation. If you can read risks and manage them, now may be a good time to act. <\/p>\n

The question is not whether a mortgage is a risk. It always has been. The question is how you manage it. <\/p>\n

And there are now more tools than ever to do this.<\/p>\n\n

\n

Are you scared of taking out a mortgage?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

A mortgage, like any other loan, always carries some risk. So that is not the right question at all. Instead, it is worth considering how you can prepare for and protect yourself as much as possible against risks. One good way is to do a thorough investigation beforehand. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

OUN\u00ae will read the new site documents for you and deliver a plain-language analysis within 24 hours. We are 100% on your side – we don’t sell the property to anyone. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
Order an OUN\u00ae analysis<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Mortgages have traditionally been a safe choice for Finns. Now the wind is changing. According to a recent survey by S-Pankki, 44% of Finns consider a mortgage to be a financial risk. A year ago, the figure was 33%. Meanwhile, the government has already eased mortgage rules twice this year. In April, loan periods were 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