Sole borrowers accounted for almost a third of first-time buyer (FTB) mortgage drawdowns in the year to the end of June.
The finding is contained in a new report from Banking and Payments Federation Ireland (BPFI), which also shows that the number of FTB mortgages drawn down during the first half of this year increased by 5.5% compared to the same time in 2024.
The value of the mortgages also increased, up by 14.4% year-on-year.
The BPFI's latest Mortgage Market Profile Report, which focuses on the profile of borrowers, shows there were 11,791 first-time buyer mortgage drawdowns between January and June, valued at over €3.7 billion.
The figures represent the highest first half of the year (H1) volumes since 2007 and the highest H1 value since 2006.
The report shows that most FTB mortgages are drawn down by joint borrowers, with sole borrowers accounting for 31% in the 12 months ending June last.
BPFI said while the sole borrower share has increased slightly in recent years, "it remains well below the levels seen in the mid-2000s".
"Historical Department of Housing data indicates that sole borrowers accounted for 45-48% of FTB mortgages between 2005 and 2008."
The number of FTB mortgage borrowers buying or building new properties increased by 14% to 4,531, the highest H1 volume since 2008.
"While the number of FTB mortgages on existing properties rose by only 0.8% to 7,260, the value of those mortgages reached the highest level since the data series began in 2005, at over €2.2 billion."
The Chief Executive of BPFI said the report shows "a strong first half for the mortgage market, with first-time buyer drawdown activity reaching record levels."
Brian Hayes said when looking back over the past two decades, "the mean average home (FTB and mover) mortgage values reached new peaks in H1 2025, reflecting continued upward pressure on property prices."
"Notably, sole borrowers accounted for almost one in three (31%) FTB mortgages in the 12 months ending June 2025," he added.
"While only one in five (22%) FTB mortgages on new properties were drawn down by sole borrowers, they accounted for more than one third (36.4%) of FTB mortgages on existing properties."
"Similarly, they accounted for about one fifth of FTB mortgages on detached and semi-detached houses but represented almost two-thirds (64.2%) of mortgages on apartments," according to Mr Hayes.
"In Dublin, almost half (47%) of sole borrower FTB mortgages were on apartments, compared with 14% of joint mortgages in the same period."
The report also shows that mover purchaser mortgage activity also grew, with volumes up by 3.5% year on year to 3,947 and values up by 13.3% to almost €1.5 billion.
It shows that the mean average FTB and home mover mortgage values both reached their highest H1 levels since the data series began in 2003, at €314,810 and €373,393, respectively.
