Unmarried Couples Buying A House Page

Unlike married couples, whose property rights are often defined by state law, unmarried partners must explicitly document their intentions.

: Only one person is the legal owner. This can be risky for the non-titled partner, who may have no legal claim to the home despite contributing to payments. 3. Strategize Your Mortgage

Applying for a mortgage jointly can increase your buying power, but it also carries shared risks. unmarried couples buying a house

: Draft a legally binding contract with a real estate attorney. It should detail how you will manage joint ownership and provide a clear exit strategy for a breakup.

: Both partners own 50%. If one dies, their share automatically goes to the survivor without going through probate. Unlike married couples, whose property rights are often

: Explicitly state who provided the down payment and how equity will be split if the home is sold.

: Consider taking out life insurance policies naming each other as beneficiaries. This ensures the surviving partner can cover the mortgage or buy out the deceased partner's heirs if necessary. It should detail how you will manage joint

: Lenders typically use the lower of the two credit scores to set interest rates. If one partner has poor credit, it might be better for the other to apply alone.

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DAVID HUMMEL | Senior Vice President | Houston
  • DAVID HUMMEL | Senior Vice President | Houston