When should I arrange the Mortgage?
We think that it is sensible to start the process before you go looking for property. The eligibility criteria are different from those in the UK. That way you will know that, at least in principle, a bank is prepared to lend you the money to fund your purchase before you waste time and money looking at property.
Remember that most banks will not give you a definite mortgage offer (rather than a preliminary indication) until about 3 months before the date when you will be taking title to the property. This is because they generally want to see that you meet their eligibility criteria - and can afford the mortgage - at the time when you are taking it, not a year or more earlier.