What would you like to know? Also this from the guy who said renting was the best.

Dont ask advice of random internet people about life altering decisions

Make sure it's big enough or part of a gated community with an activities room to host The Boroughs Diplomacy Tournament

Not married? No kids? Make sure you have a will. Depends on the law in the state/province you live in, but where I live, if you die without a will, the default for unmarried people without children is that your assets go to your parents. That means that in the event of your untimely death, your parents would own the house with your girlfriend.

Even if they like her, it gives them all a legal hassle that can be easily avoided with a will ahead of time.

Disclaimer: I am not a lawyer.

@Tr Noted
@ss Why do you say that?
@dyager Advice here will be taken with a heap of salt, do not worry.
@Valis Yes, that is one of my secret requirements for the house.

Valis beat me to the only advice that I have for you.

First advice, is don't buy a property with a girlfriend. Wife, fiancé ok....girlfriend leaves to much ambiguity. What happens, if you break up. Who's on the loan? If joint, you need a legal agreement on what will happen if you separate.

I think calling her my gf is a bit misleading. The only reason we aren't married is pretty much because we'd rather spend our money on a house than a wedding.

Then you should go to a courthouse and get married. I imagine it makes things simpler legally and financially. #advicefromtheuninformed

Does said house require both your incomes to own(finance)? Don't spend more on a loan, than 30-35% of annual income. Remember, there's lots of costs, above and beyond the morgage.

We could. It's just not that important to us. The mortgage will most likely be in my name, so I don't think there will be any complications there.

I honestly don't know much about buying a house, but here are some things I thought made sense:
1. Compile a list of things that you must accommodate for, such as disabilities, future children you want to have, travel (public transit nearby, or a highway, etc.) At the same time, compile a list of deal breakers (previous owner had a deadly contagious disease, etc.).
2. Going off the previous one because it is so important, transit. Make sure you aren't out in the boondocks without a car. Is there a garage?
3. Is it safe? Some houses pass inspection but can be dangerous. Narrow hallways can be dangerous in cases of fire (doorways can also easily block narrow hallways). Will it flood when it rains and/or snows?
4. Consider the neighborhood/neighbors. Be aware of any potential problems such as loud mean bulldogs next door.
5. Maintenance. Will you be able to take care of a front and back lawn? A pool?
6. Obviously be careful with finances. Have an agreement to settle things financially if not everything works out long term with the girlfriend (Hope you don't have to, but it's just a good idea).
7. Ask the real estate agent about the history of the house. I wouldn't want to live in an old crack house. Watch for things like asbestos and mold (obviously).
8. Make sure you really like it. It needs to fit both you and your girlfriend's needs. Don't buy impulsively.
9. Insurance - Not everyone has it for their house, but you may want to think about it and any potential hazards in the area like weather.

Good luck! :)

@ss

Mortgage will be less than what we pay now in rent. I can easily cover it myself.

Look at the Covenant, Codes & Restrictions (CC&R) for the subdivision before you buy, since it contains all sorts of restrictions on what you can do with your home. It also has hidden fees that you have to pay including fines for not doing it the way the Home Owners Association (HOA) wants.

Look into the crime rate for the neighborhood so you don't want your property leaving while you are at work. It's the same for condos or apartments where your neighbors could be selling drugs.

Not to be too direct but are you living together now? If so and you "can easily cover it myself." Just buy the house yourself and let her live there. I don't see it being much different than your current situation unless both of your names are on the current apartment? lease.

So then you're buying a house. Not together, but yet together to live. A much simpler solution.

Location, location,location

Yes, we've lived together for about 1.5 years in an apartment.

Yeah, I guess legally *I'm* buying a house, but she will be paying "rent" to cover half the mortgage unless something were to happen to her job, at which point I could comfortably cover all of it.

uh oh there's a girl better play 20 questions to make sure she's not screwing over a guy.

It's like I'm in r/Libertarian all over again, and I thought I muted all those threads.

@card Yeah, we've thought of most of those things, but it is a good list to double check. Thanks.

@Random That is something I'll look into. Thanks.

most states require proof of insurance to get a mortgage, lenders dont want to be on the hook

Yeah, I'll definitely be getting homeowner's insurance. I already have renter's insurance.

have you pre-qualified for the loan, do you have good credit. if you have not done it before, now's a good time to have a rainy day fund, with an amount to cover with 3-6 months of bills. this should be above and beyond and investment you may have....liquidity in a pinch can be a life saver

Put a ring on it.

I have very good credit. Submitted an application for pre-approval today. I do have savings above the downpayment of the house. Not quite as much as I'd like, but enough that I should reasonably be able to find a job before it runs out.

"Put a ring on it."

You can't live in a ring.

i wish my wife knew that

do you know what type of loan you want?

What do you mean?