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Should Newlyweds Buy a House? | Buying Property with your New Spouse | Buying a Home as a Joint Investment

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Real Estate Agent with RE/MAX Around Atlanta GA RE License #296541

Should Newlyweds Buy a House?


I came across an interesting article on MSNmoney.com the other day entitled, "Should Newlyweds Buy a House?"

An interesting question, indeed.

In dealing, as a team, with a lot of newlyweds/first-time homebuyers, we encounter this question a lot.

One of the first things we do with any buyer, not just the first-time variety, is refer them to our two trusted lenders. Not only do we know that these two lenders do a great job with our clients, but we have all used them personally and can attest to their knowledge and trustworthiness.

And of course, one of the tips in the article is right up this alley: Get pre-approved before house-love hits.

But it's not just about getting pre-approved and finding out how much the standard debt-to-income ratio says you can afford to spend. It's also about knowing what you are comfortable spending, and those two numbers can be very different.

Of course, the article doesn't do much to answer the question it poses in its title, but it does eloquently present some important things to think about. In addition to getting pre-approved, other helpful tips offered by this article are aggressive saving, discussing and managing timelines and researching mortgage deals.

I highly recommend this article to any newlyweds/first-time homebuyers contemplating that first big housing purchase. There is so much to think about as you venture into a life together, not to mention into homeownership together.

I also highly recommend researching working with a Buyer Agent and making sure that you are being represented. Your first home purchase is not a thing to enter into alone. It can be overwhelming anyway, not to mention trying to do it alone. For my reasons for you to sign a Buyer Brokerage/Buyer Agency Agreement and for ways to feel more comfortable signing the Buyer Brokerage/Buyer Agency Agreement, click here.

We love working with first-time homebuyers. For information about buying a home in the North Metro Atlanta area, call The Gebhardt Group today!

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Maura Gebhardt
The Gebhardt Group
RE/MAX Greater Atlanta
10220 Medlock Bridge Road
Johns Creek, GA 30097

(770) 751-5895
email: Maura@GebhardtGroup.com
website: http://www.gebhardtgroup.com/
blog: http://www.gebhardtgroupblog.com/

Kristin Small
RE/MAX Southern Shores - Myrtle Beach, SC
REALTOR -GRI, Myrtle Beach Real Estate

Speaking from personal experience...I don't think newlyweds should custom build a house!  Too much stress and too many decisions for a newly married couple.

Nov 12, 2007 09:08 AM
Maura Neill
RE/MAX Around Atlanta - Alpharetta, GA
North Metro Atlanta Real Estate

Hi, David! That is definitely good advice! It's a stressful enough experience in and of itself.

I take it this is what you did? It seems you lived through it, at least! =)

By the way, I thought of you and Kristin as I drove past the Myrtle Beach exits a couple of weeks ago - driving home from Ft. Bragg to see my brother. Wish I could've stopped for lunch - maybe next time!

~Maura Gebhardt

Nov 12, 2007 09:09 AM
Kristin Small
RE/MAX Southern Shores - Myrtle Beach, SC
REALTOR -GRI, Myrtle Beach Real Estate
Maura,
Yeah, this is what we did, but we did survive.  That's too bad you didn't have time to stop for lunch.  That would have been fun.  Next time you head this way, maybe we can make it happen. 
Nov 13, 2007 09:23 AM
Maura Neill
RE/MAX Around Atlanta - Alpharetta, GA
North Metro Atlanta Real Estate

Definitely, David! I would love to! I don't know how far you are off I-95, but whenever we visit my brother at Ft. Bragg, we drive right by the exit. It would be fun!

~Maura Gebhardt

Nov 14, 2007 03:08 AM