Doing it Step by Step

What is your story?

It has always been important for me to feel good in the environment I’m in. To be able to relax on the sofa in the evening with a cup of tea. To have a kitchen on Saturday mornings where everything is within reach, and where we can sit together at one table for family breakfast. The same goes for work - I am a person for whom it comes naturally to care about others - colleagues and customer experience. I have been working in financing for more than 15 years, and what gives me the greatest satisfaction is knowing that I help others fulfill their dreams.

When people think about a home loan, they often imagine a mortgage for 20–30 years. But in reality, there are other scenarios too?

Absolutely. A large part of our clients don’t start with the idea of buying a huge house or apartment. They start with smaller, very personal goals – buying a plot of land, fixing the roof of their parents’ house, building a terrace, insulating a home, or replacing the heating system to reduce winter bills.

Not everyone needs or can afford to take on a large, long-term commitment. Sometimes what’s needed is the opportunity to act now – when there is inspiration, when the right property has been found, or when the decision to renovate has finally been made. If the property is located in a region or has a lower market value, large banks do not always finance such properties. Or they may require a large down payment.

You speak very personally. Is that connected to your own experience?

I am practical. Maybe it comes from childhood - I grew up in the countryside, and there you learn - do it yourself, step by step. You don’t always know the final outcome, but you know you are moving forward as long as you keep going. People often think that when taking financing, everything must be planned down to the smallest detail, but in reality changes happen that cannot be predicted. A few years ago, metal prices rose sharply, and it became more reasonable to replace a planned metal fence with a wooden one. At first you think – I’ll replace the roof, but in the end you realize a different solution is needed, as load-bearing structures also need reinforcement and you want to install a roof window for more light. You plan one budget, life makes adjustments. I see this in my daily work as well - that’s why we have created the Inbank Small Home Loan to match real life - without requiring estimates, without collateral, without property valuation before or in the future. I truly believe people will make the best decisions for themselves during the process, because each of us has a different dream.

If you had to name what is most important for people in the context of housing right now?

Security and the feeling that “this is my place”. It can be a plot of land with birch trees. A small garden by the house. A garage where you can finally work in peace. A warm home in winter. It’s not always about square meters. It’s about the feeling that you are creating your own environment. Step by step. And sometimes all it takes is a small push to take that first step. And this “step by step” principle is increasingly reflected in people’s housing plans.

Explain what the Small Home Loan is?

By applying for the Inbank Small Home Loan, you can receive up to 30,000 euros. No collateral or down payment is required, and Inbank evaluates your monthly income and ability to repay. Moreover, this evaluation is fast and convenient - you can fill out the application online in the Inbank loan calculator and receive a response within minutes. If the offer suits you, a contract is signed and the money is transferred to your account within one business day. This means you can start making your dreams come true immediately.

People often think – when I have more savings, I will do it. But life moves on, and waiting stretches out. And sometimes the first step is the most important one.

Energy efficiency is a very актуāla topic right now. What solutions are available?

Yes, and not only because of bills. It is also about attitude – towards the environment and your own resources. People often associate energy efficiency with solar panels, but it also includes practical home improvements - replacing windows, installing a new heating system, improving ventilation, insulating foundations, building a fireplace – these are investments that pay off in the long term. We see that people are becoming more conscious. They want to live smarter, not just more beautifully.

What myths about home lending still exist?

That it is complicated. That it is “only for big projects”. That you need a perfect situation, huge savings, and a fully prepared plan down to the last nail. In reality, it’s often different. People want flexibility – without excessive bureaucracy, without the feeling that they have to justify every decision. In my opinion, it’s important to see a loan as a tool, not a burden. If you have a stable job and regular income, you can start acting now.

Have you also been “in the client’s shoes”?

I am a restless spirit (Ingūna laughs), I am always in the middle of something. Our first loan with my husband was for a car - that’s when we understood how we make financial decisions together. Over time, children joined the family, and our first home started to feel too small. Even after trying to rearrange it, we could no longer fit comfortably. Being nature lovers, we came to the idea of a house. I clearly remember the day I first stood on the chosen plot of land - late spring, damp ground under my feet, fresh scent of pine trees and blooming lily of the valley.

Nature has always been the foundation of my feeling of home. I breathed in the fresh pine air there and knew that this was one step closer to fulfilling my dream.