If you want to find out what information is held on you (credit file) with regards to loans you've had or currently have you should start here.
The Central Credit Register (CCR) is being established by the Central Bank of Ireland, under the Credit Reporting Act 2013.
www.centralcreditregister.ie
They will send you a file showing your loan history and if you have paid your loans on time. You can sometimes spot things on this that are incorrect and have them corrected. In my own case I had a couple of closed accounts showing open with overdraft when in fact the account had been closed a year. It is worthwhile checking.
If you are straight with the Financial Advisor about what you want they shouldn't try to sell you anything. ( try find a non tied FA)
If you want to speak with somebody about how to present yourself to a bank about a loan application then you could make an appointment with any mortgage broker or financial advisor and tell them you are looking for advice only for now. You will probably need to pay a small fee for this.You will get a good education here for free.
Your own bank will also have a financial advisor who will be able to guide you for free. If they try to sell you a product just tell them straight out (in a nice way) that your are just exploring now and trying to get yourself into a good position in order to borrow down the road.
If you fill out the money makeover template you will get very good advice from people's own experience here for free. (nobody will try sell you a product)
It can be difficult, but please try to use a meaningful title in your thread For example "27 year old with mortgage arrears". You will get a much better and much more coherent answer if you give as much information as possible in your first post. For example, if you give your mortgage rate, it...
askaboutmoney.com
Some simple steps you can take-
Simplify your expenditure - Try not to have too many accounts and be able to explain where your money goes and comes from
Live within your means
Reduce credit card balance to zero
Do not use your overdraft
Show a savings history ( I would do above (reducing CC/OD) before I started saving)
Show that you can comfortably pay the amount you wish to borrow
Most importantly - If I was to advise my younger self- Only borrow for a home - Don't borrow for anything else.