Mortgages present the best opportunities to establish your foot on the property ladder, as well as sometimes feeling like a millstone. But for the vast majority of us who are not in the position to purchase real estate in cash, it is necessary to take out a loan on a proportion of the property cost. There’s certainly no doubt that getting on the property ladder represents both a sound investment, as well as peace of mind. Closing the door on the world and feeling safe within your own bricks and mortar is important for many.

But with so much resting on the decisions made regarding mortgages and property investment it is important to look into the options carefully and seriously. Many of the decisions you make relating to the type of mortgage, repayment term and other aspects of the loan may well have repercussions lasting decades. And of course, should things go wrong, it’s important to know exactly what your options are.