{"id":101702,"date":"2025-06-10T09:25:04","date_gmt":"2025-06-10T16:25:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/?p=101702"},"modified":"2025-07-17T13:49:54","modified_gmt":"2025-07-17T20:49:54","slug":"buying-a-house-with-a-friend","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/buying-a-house-with-a-friend\/","title":{"rendered":"Buying a House with a Friend: Pros, Cons, and Key Considerations"},"content":{"rendered":"<h3><strong>Key Takeaways:<\/strong><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You can buy a house with a friend, or multiple friends.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Buying a house with a friend makes both <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/guides\/buy\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">home buying<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and homeownership more <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/how-much-house-can-i-afford\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">affordable<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> from sharing on up-front costs to splitting monthly bills.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Clear communication, careful planning, and written legal agreements are crucial to avoid financial issues and relationship strain.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Choosing the right co-buyer and setting clear expectations about money, household responsibilities, and exit plans will help keep things smooth.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">While <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/news\/housing-market-update-high-housing-costs-price-relief-in-sight\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">high housing costs<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> might be slowing down home buying, buying a house with a friend can be a smart way to break into homeownership. Pros like pooling resources and sharing costs are appealing, but there are a lot of important things to consider before making the leap. Whether you\u2019re looking for a <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/city\/5945\/CA\/Eureka\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">home in Eureka, CA<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, moving out of your <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.apartmentguide.com\/apartments\/Colorado\/Boulder\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener external noreferrer\" data-wpel-link=\"external\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">apartment in Boulder, CO<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, or upgrading from your <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rent.com\/wisconsin\/madison-houses\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener external noreferrer\" data-wpel-link=\"external\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">rental in Madison, WI<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, this Redfin article covers the pros, cons, and common questions about co-ownership.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-101717 size-blog-post\" src=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Unpacking-with-friend_shutterstock_1407920309-945x630.jpg\" alt=\"Two friends unpack a moving box in the new house they bought. \" width=\"945\" height=\"630\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Unpacking-with-friend_shutterstock_1407920309-945x630.jpg 945w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Unpacking-with-friend_shutterstock_1407920309-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Unpacking-with-friend_shutterstock_1407920309-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Unpacking-with-friend_shutterstock_1407920309-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Unpacking-with-friend_shutterstock_1407920309-225x150.jpg 225w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Unpacking-with-friend_shutterstock_1407920309-450x300.jpg 450w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Unpacking-with-friend_shutterstock_1407920309.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 945px) 100vw, 945px\" \/><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Can you buy a house with a friend?\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Absolutely! You can buy a house with a friend or group of friends, as long as everyone can <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/mortgage-calculator\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">afford the mortgage payments<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and meet the lender requirements. In fact, it\u2019s an increasingly common choice as <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/news\/homeownership-rate-by-generation-2024\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">housing costs rise<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and affordability becomes a bigger challenge for many people. Pooling resources with a trusted friend can help you split the costs of a down payment, mortgage, property taxes, and maintenance, making homeownership more accessible than on your own.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Friends don\u2019t have automatic legal protections like spouses, so it\u2019s important to create clear, written agreements to help define everyone\u2019s rights and responsibilities and prevent future disputes.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Pros and cons of buying a house with a friend<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There\u2019s a lot to think about before buying a house with a friend. It\u2019s fun and has its perks, but there are potential downsides that you shouldn\u2019t overlook.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Pros<\/span><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Enter homeownership sooner:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Partnering with trusted friends is a common way for people to enter homeownership or real estate investing sooner.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Start building equity<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: One of the major pros to buying a house vs renting is the chance to <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/what-is-a-home-equity-loan\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">build equity<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> on your investment. While monthly rental payments are an unrecoverable cost, buying a house with a friend can help you start building on your investment sooner for more profit to share when you\u2019re ready to sell.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Increase buying power<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Co-ownership allows for more options than you would be able to afford on your own. In addition to qualifying for a better loan, features like larger spaces, better locations, and more amenities become available with multiple incomes.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Qualify for a mortgage easier<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Combining your average incomes and credit scores can help when <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/how-to-choose-a-mortgage-lender\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">a mortgage lender<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> reviews your applications. If you and your friend both have good credit, you could be approved for better interest rates.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Larger down payment<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: With multiple incomes, you\u2019ll be able to make a bigger down payment which can keep you from having to pay extra costs for <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/what-is-pmi-insurance\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">private mortgage insurance (PMI)<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Share homeownership costs<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">:<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">While going it alone is doable, buying a house with a friend gives you many opportunities to cut costs associated with homeownership. It\u2019s not just the mortgage you\u2019ll share. Property taxes, utilities, regular maintenance, and homeowner\u2019s insurance can all be split.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Support throughout the process<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">:<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The road to homeownership can be stressful, especially if you\u2019re on it by yourself. Having a friend alongside you to help with the complexities, de-stress when you need a break, and go all out on the latest interior design trends can ease the process, and even make it fun.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Cons<\/span><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>One person\u2019s credit impacts everyone<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Whether it\u2019s one close friend or three college roommates, just one bad credit score can negatively affect the whole group\u2019s rates, no matter how high your own score might be.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Financial strain<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">:<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Unlike a rental agreement, if your friend fails to pay their share of the mortgage, you bear the burden of ensuring the payment is met. This can reflect badly on your own credit score and make it harder to apply for future loans.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Impact on your debt-to-income ratio (DTI)<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Even though splitting the mortgage with your friend can save you money, lenders will see the entire mortgage obligation as your sole responsibility. This makes your <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/definition\/debtto-income-ratio\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">DTI<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> look much higher, and could increase your cost of borrowing on things like credit or other loans.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Complicated exits<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">:<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If one of you is ready to move out before the other, it can put you in a difficult spot. You may need to <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/when-to-refinance-mortgage\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">refinance your mortgage<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, buy the other person out of their share of the house, or even sell the house if you can\u2019t afford the costs on your own.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Friendships tested: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">No matter how close you are to someone, buying a house together can put a lot of strain on a relationship. Disagreements on details, financial troubles, and even differing lifestyles can throw a wrench in any friendship.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><\/h2>\n<h2><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-101714 size-blog-post\" src=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/House-hunting-with-friend_shutterstock_2300702321-944x630.jpg\" alt=\"House hunting is part of the process when buying a house with a friend. Two friends sit at a coffee shop and look at listings on a phone. \" width=\"944\" height=\"630\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/House-hunting-with-friend_shutterstock_2300702321-944x630.jpg 944w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/House-hunting-with-friend_shutterstock_2300702321-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/House-hunting-with-friend_shutterstock_2300702321-1024x684.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/House-hunting-with-friend_shutterstock_2300702321-768x513.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/House-hunting-with-friend_shutterstock_2300702321-225x150.jpg 225w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/House-hunting-with-friend_shutterstock_2300702321-449x300.jpg 449w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/House-hunting-with-friend_shutterstock_2300702321.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 944px) 100vw, 944px\" \/><\/h2>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">How to buy a house with a friend\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Buying property with a friend involves several important steps and considerations. Here are a few tips to help get you started:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">1. Choose your friend carefully\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This is arguably the most important step in the process. Picking someone to co-own your house takes a roommate agreement to a whole new level. You\u2019ll not only be sharing a living space with this person, but finances and responsibilities as well. Make sure to ask direct questions and give honest answers.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Here are a few important topics to begin with:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Current financial situation<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">:<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Be sure to cover income, debts, and credit score, as well as budgets for both the purchase of the house and recurring costs throughout your ownership.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Goals and timelines<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: You\u2019ll want to make sure you both align on your goals and timelines. What do you each want in a home? How long do you plan on living in it? What happens when one or both of you wants to move?<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Lifestyle and responsibilities<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Lifestyle compatibility is significantly more important when buying a house with a friend as opposed to renting. You\u2019ll want to dig into the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.apartmentguide.com\/blog\/roommate-agreement-essential-topics\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener external noreferrer\" data-wpel-link=\"external\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">top roommate agreement topics<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and get on the same page to avoid potential disagreements before they happen.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">2. Decide how to split ownership<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">While there are several ways to divide property ownership, these are the two most common:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Joint tenancy<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: This legal arrangement gives each owner equal rights and responsibilities for the house. It also has specific rights of survivorship. In the event of the death of one co-owner, the surviving co-owner automatically inherits the property.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Tenancy in common (TIC)<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">:<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">TICs on the other hand, allow you to decide on equal or different percentages of ownership between each owner. Those percentages are then left to each owner\u2019s heirs or beneficiaries rather than to the remaining owners.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">3. Decide on property type<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Buying a house with a friend can mean many different things. Are you thinking of a starter condo, something bigger with a yard for your pets to share, or a multifamily property as an investment? Before you start <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/types-of-houses\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">house hunting<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, talk through your goals, must-haves, and deal breakers. Looking at dream homes is definitely a fun part of the search process, but don\u2019t neglect getting serious about what both of you are looking for and can realistically afford.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">4.\u00a0 Divide responsibilities\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Talk to your friend about how you want to divide household responsibilities. Owning and maintaining a home takes a lot of time and energy. Work out a strategy that leaves you both feeling satisfied with the amount you are contributing to the household. Each person has their own strengths, schedules, and preferences, so compromise and teamwork are extra important when buying a house with a friend.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">5. Plan for the future<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Continue your initial conversation about goals, timelines, and lifestyle by making solid plans for any changes that may happen along the way. The more you plan in advance, the less stress you\u2019ll have when something unexpected happens. Life changes\u2014jobs, relationships, or family needs\u2014can shift plans. Discuss how you&#8217;ll handle things if one of you needs to move out. Will you sell the home or refinance so one person holds the title? How will you split expenses, profits, and responsibilities?<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">6. Put everything in writing\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In the world of homeownership, you cannot skim over details. And no matter how much you trust your friend, make sure to get everything in writing. Seek help from professionals to draft a legal agreement that works for your specific situation and covers each detail regarding ownership, responsibilities, exit strategies, and anything else you might need.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-101716 size-blog-post\" src=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Talking-to-friend_shutterstock_1814501015-945x630.jpg\" alt=\"Two friends sit on a couch with coffee and cookies discussing how to buy a house with a friend.\" width=\"945\" height=\"630\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Talking-to-friend_shutterstock_1814501015-945x630.jpg 945w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Talking-to-friend_shutterstock_1814501015-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Talking-to-friend_shutterstock_1814501015-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Talking-to-friend_shutterstock_1814501015-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Talking-to-friend_shutterstock_1814501015-225x150.jpg 225w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Talking-to-friend_shutterstock_1814501015-450x300.jpg 450w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Talking-to-friend_shutterstock_1814501015.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 945px) 100vw, 945px\" \/><\/h2>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Buying a house with a friend: Is it right for you?<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Regardless of what you\u2019ve researched, buying a house with a friend is a largely personal decision that requires careful thought. It can be great to have a friend to go through the homebuying process with, but it can also complicate things. Talk thoroughly with your friend (or friends) about whether this is the right choice so you can all come to a decision that works for your situation.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><em><strong>&gt;&gt; Read: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/buying-a-house-as-an-unmarried-couple\/\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\">Buying a House as an Unmarried Couple<\/a><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">FAQs about buying a house with a friend<\/span><\/h2>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Is it smart to buy a house with a friend?\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It can be a smart move, but it largely depends on whether you are both in a place physically, mentally, and financially to co-own. Buying a home is a big commitment on its own, and it can get more complicated with more people involved in the process. Ultimately, the decision to buy with a friend comes down to what feels right for you.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">How do we split costs fairly?\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Every person\u2019s situation is unique, so it\u2019s important to start by having an open discussion about your finances and what you are each able to contribute. You might decide to split costs 50\/50, divide them based on income, or match ownership percentages. Once you agree on a plan, make sure to add it to your written records.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">How much of my personal finances will I need to share?\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Regardless of what a lender might require you to share, you\u2019ll need to be open about your financial habits, debts, credit score, and income with your co-buyer. If sharing financial information feels uncomfortable, remember that your friend will need to share theirs with you as well. Trust and clarity are essential to making co-ownership work.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What happens if one of us wants to move out?<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Your options largely depend on what you\u2019ve decided in your co-ownership agreement. This might mean a negotiation to convince all parties to sell, a buyout of shares, a sale of individual shares, or even legal action. Planning for an unexpected move is crucial to avoid complicated decisions or future disagreements.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What is the best way to avoid damaging your friendship?\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The best thing you can do is communicate with each other. Be open, honest, and respectful about everything from financial issues to dirty dishes. Letting the little things go can be helpful in any co-living situation, but it\u2019s important to protect your boundaries and not let things fester and become bigger arguments down the line.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Is it better to buy a house with a friend or rent?\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Buying a house involves a lot of planning and personal responsibility. If you\u2019re planning on sticking around for a while and want to start building equity, owning a home might be the right option for you. If you or your friend want more lifestyle flexibility in the near future, maybe renting is a better choice. It is ultimately up to you to determine the right path for your specific situation.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>It\u2019s important to consider both the pros and cons when buying a house with a friend. While you can save money and build equity faster, you might run into some unforeseen stresses, both financially and in your relationship with your friend. 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