Though your relationship status won’t determine whether or not you are able to get a mortgage, your status can influence the factors lenders consider when deciding whether or not to approve someone. If you’re looking for real estate for sale in downtown San Diego, keep in mind the ways your relationship, or lack thereof, can come into play.
Single
Being single is great. You are the only one with say-so when it comes to what you want in a house and where you want to buy. However, it also means you’re the only earner, meaning your household income is likely significantly lower than a 2-income household. If you don’t get a loan for the amount you want, you can consider a co-signer who is willing to have your back in the event you cannot pay your mortgage.
Long-Term Relationship
You don’t need to be married to take out a home loan with another person. However, you have to be pretty sure you’re in the relationship for the long haul because you are, in theory, committing to a project for the next 20 years or so. When 2 individuals apply for a mortgage, the applications are combined with one listed as the “borrower,” typically the person with the higher income, and the other listed as “co-borrower.”
Married
Being married isn’t an automatic guarantee, either. It can be easier, but things like income, debt, and both of your credit scores come into play. If one person is a stay-at-home spouse or earns very little income, it can still be challenging to get approved.
Married with Bad Credit
It may surprise you to learn that if your spouse has bad credit, it is often best to just leave him or her off the application altogether. When applying for home loans, lenders look at the lower of the 2 scores, which means if your spouse has really poor credit you may not qualify or you may wind up with a high interest rate.
Separated
You can get a mortgage while separated, but it can be tricky. If both parties are on the title, both must agree to the mortgage. In California, there are also community property laws. If you aren’t divorced yet, this may mean your spouse can get half of your new property when you do divorce.
When searching for a home, there are plenty of other factors to consider beyond your relationship status. Get in touch with the real estate experts at 92101 Urban Living to find out what else you should be aware of. If you’re looking for condos, penthouses, or lofts in downtown San Diego, give us a call at 619-649-0368 and we’ll help you find the home you’re looking for. ')}