Things to think about when purchasing a property with your partner
Purchasing a property with a partner is an exciting step in a relationship. It’s a big commitment that comes with responsibilities and fun alike. There’s no doubt buying a house is one of the most expensive things you will do, so we’ve put together a list of considerations and tips before you take the leap.
Small spaces, big personalities.
Living with someone is a big deal and a huge step for any relationship. If you are used to seeing each other on weekends, or a few evenings a week, you can really underestimate how much you are recharging in-between visits. For most people, your first house isn’t going to be a 5 bed detached property so with this in mind, how will you cope with being in a small living space 24/7.
You’ll likely be sharing a room so you can’t shut yourself away and reset because it will also be their space too. So how can you get around this?
Boundaries
A way that can make cohabitating easier for both parties is setting boundaries from the outset. Core values that will have an effect on your comfort if they are crossed are definitely to be discussed from the word go. If one of you is super tidy, and the other is happy to leave socks strewn everywhere this could cause issues pretty quickly!
Discussing how you are going to operate as a unit can resolve issues before they have even become issues. Things like how much time you want to spend doing things alone, cleaning schedules, or how the bills are split will help communicate your needs to one another.
Learn to compromise
Not everything that happens is going to be sunshine and rainbows. Realising that sometimes being human means being full of pride and stubbornness can solve a whole bunch of hiccups. Learning when to stand your ground, or when to find a compromise is a hurdle a lot of people don’t confront. It can really be the first step to relieving tension within disagreements and can make for a better experience when living together.
Consider living together before the commitment of a house
If possible move in with each other before buying a place. Ideally, a short term rental will allow you to see what it’s going to be like without other people living in your space. Other options include living with parents or if you already rent a property, getting your partner to move in.
This will let you know if you are compatible as cohabitators and will allow a sort of “try before you buy” approach.
Cohabitating agreement
Legal paperwork may not sound very sexy, but adding it in as part of your relationship can help to make buying a house an easier experience. A great way to lay out your intentions you can include things like
- Money and how paying bills is going to work
- Responsibilities in terms of house maintenance
- What shares do you each hold in the property
- What happens in the event of separation
Solicitors should offer this as a service to you when buying a house and will be able to offer advice too.
Do fun things… together!
Living with a partner is going to be difficult on occasion, especially whilst you both get used to the arrangement. That makes it even more important to make time for one another to do the stuff you used to like doing before you learnt about how messy and flawed the other is.
Plan fun date nights in and out, try new things or cook new recipes. Whatever it is, remember why moving in together was on the cards in the first place.
So there you have it, our advice and top tips for anyone looking to take the plunge and move to the next step.
If you’re looking for your first home in Swansea or the surrounding area, get in touch and let us know what you’re looking for! We love helping first time buyers find their first homes - we’re here to help at every stage of the process.