For reference, I'm in southern Europe (and yeah, I'm not a native English speaker), I got a (somewhat) stable job with (somewhat) good salary. I am a software engineer and even though I don't believe I'm a genius, I think I can defend myself quite well in the "adult world."

But holy shit, either I'm going crazy or finding a mortgage is an incredible clusterfuck.

Even though we have the T.A.E. (some kind of index that normalizes bank loans taking into account everything, from what you are actually borrowing to the extras the bank is giving you/forcing upon you), comparing offers from different banks is a complete maze of slightly similar (economic-specific) wording with slightly similar concepts sometimes, completely different concepts some other times.

I've been slowly going over most of that stuff and even though I've managed to learn a great deal, I feel this is not at all accessible for an average person: Types of insurances and what they cover, formulas to calculate interest rates and bank commissions for this or that under these or those circumstances, numbers and rates that change every month so be quick looking because a 3.2 interest this month, next month can be 3.8 or maybe 2.9 (Although looking at things, probably 4).

All of this is... just too much to take into consideration and compare. Looking at the financial crisis of 2008 (Which in my country hit harder due our housing market) makes me think that most people don't really know what they are doing, but my point here is that I don't get how anyone who is not a banking professional can make a (really) informed decision.

Wtf did you guys do to get yours? Just followed suit with your bank and fuck it (we are fucked anyway)? You actually got to learn everything and fully understand what were you doing?