Buying a home is clearly one of the biggest moves you’ll ever make. It can be complicated enough to find something you really love and afford yourself, a challenge made even more trying when two parties are involved. This is especially true for couples where “opposites attract”. So if you have different tastes and ideas how can you bring it altogether for buying a home you’ll both be happy in?
If you don’t get together with your other half and address this before going home shopping it can not only lead to a nightmare when buying a home and keeping your partner in the game but can lead to major relationship troubles later.
6 tips for buying a home for couples:
1. Start Planning Early
Start a dream board as early as possible with all the features and ideas you have about your dream home. Don’t nitpick, just begin defining what you both like.
2. Get Pre-Qualified for a Mortgage Loan
Find out how much home or loan you really qualify for and how much the home you want will cost in down payment and monthly mortgage dues.
3. Get Real
Pause and get realistic about finances, what kind of workload you want to take on and prioritize. Are there certain home improvements you don’t mind taking on and what can be dealt with over time versus being a must when you buy?
4. Be Willing to Compromise
Remember what is most important; your happiness and peace of mind. Sometimes that requires putting what is most important to your partner first.
5. You Can Always Move Up
Remember buying your first home doesn’t have to be your ultimate dream home or last home. You can build equity in it and move up later when you are making more money and use that as your down payment.
