Buying A Home On A Tight Budget-Joint Ownership With Family And Friends
filed in Credit on Mar.15, 2010
If your finances alone won’t qualify to buy a home, consider a joint purchase with a compatible friend or family member (or two) in the same circumstances. By combining your finances together, you’ll be able to increase your chances of qualifying for a home. If you plan to buy a home jointly with your roommates, the adjustment will be easier since you’re used to living together.
One scenario to consider is purchasing a property with individual units like a duplex or triplex. You’ll enjoy some of the same benefits as your own home such as a private entrance, separate kitchen, and more. While this arrangement may seem advantageous, you’ll still have to address the issues of joint responsibility regarding ownership and monthly maintenance expenses for the land, roof, and other common areas.
Another less costly alternative is to purchase a single dwelling and share the space together. One major problem with this arrangement is you would have to sacrifice your own private space. If you and the co-owner still decide to enter into this kind of arrangement, try buying a home with a layout that allows you separate private areas.
It’s important to spend time discussing some key financial issues and issues unique to co-ownership before you jump feet first into a co-buying situation. One vitally important concern will be how the down payment and monthly expenses will be apportioned. Are you going to divide everything evenly or will you divide everything on a percentage based on the amount of down payment invested, the size of bedroom assigned, or other criteria? A good idea is to check with a tax professional on how your arrangement will affect your tax situation.
Another major concern is who inherits the property if one joint owner dies? Will it pass to the other owner or to the deceased heirs? What about if one owner wants to move out-can he or she rent their part of the home, sell it, or force the other owners to sell or buy their portion out?
Taking proper title to the property can have major consequences when not done wisely. It’s best to seek the advice of a trained attorney before deciding on what kind of ownership to list on the deed. Some popular ways to list ownership on a deed are joint tenants with rights of survivorship or tenants in common.
Other issues you should agree on include what length of time everyone plans to live in the house (also what options are available when a co-owner decides to marry or when an elderly parent needs constant care); what course of action should be taken when a co-owner becomes unemployed; what style to furnish the house; and house rules (such as cleanup, household supplies, sound level of music, and overnight guests).
Buying a home jointly with another party is a huge commitment and it’s vital you choose the right person to partner with. Be sure to discuss all issues with your future co-owner and put the agreement in writing with the help of an attorney.
Are you looking to buy a home in Orange County, CA? Check out these Tustin realtors and Yorba Linda Realtors to help you find one!