Single Person, SFH

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you plan to get married, you should have a prenup

I didn't have a prenup but we never lived in my house and it was always in my name so when I divorced there was no dispute or other arguments over it. It was mine before, during and after.

[Anonymous]

I purchased a home by myself in the suburbs (Fairfax). It was good and bad. I loved the serenity and having a backyard. I just paid for a lawnservice so that was easy. But, I was definitely the only single person around and I never made friends in the neighborhood because my life was so different then the families dealing with kid-related stuff. No one was mean or rude, but we just didnt click to socialize. So, I had no friends. I also came to realize it was hard dating while living out there as it was a trek to get to the city and Arlington, where most of the singles I met lived and wanted to meet up.

I eventually met someone and got married, and he hated my house so we sold it and moved something new. The good thing was, we got some nice equity from my home which really made a huge difference in our ability to move to the neighborhood we wanted.

[Anonymous]

There is nothing like SFH. Do it. Good financial decision too.

[Anonymous]

There is this feeling that single women do not need or deserve to have a SFH home. Or that by buying a home a man is unlikely to come around. All of this is kind of nutty (in most places in the US, apartment living is not the norm) and born of some greater misogyny. Do not buy a SFH you cannot afford. Banish the word bling from your vocabulary. Save up for a down payment. Get a boring fixed rate traditional mortgage. Budget - and when you are budgeting and in lawn car and a couple grand a year for repairs. Many cosmetic repairs slowly over time.

If you get married you don't need a prenup - the house is premarital property - just don't put his name on it or commingle assets. If you sell it, money goes into a separate fund that doesn't get commingled with marital money. But, you can hold on to it or rent it, too.

[Anonymous]

I totally agree with PP. Interesting to me that OP did not state his/her gender. People just assume it is a woman, because a man wouldn't lack the confidence.

OP, buy the house, but my advice is buy something easy to maintain. A small yard is easy enough to mow and maintain for your average adult. It's when you start needing a ride-on mower, tree removal, etc. things get dicey. Also, pay attention to size. You certainly want enough space, but larger houses cost more to heat and you will pay more on taxes. This all adds up in the long run. Some houses are described as "condo alternatives" in the listing - in my mind, this would usually be something that is a perfect SFH for a single woman.

Also, agree with buying a house within your means, but don't necessarily buy the cheapest house in the cheapest area. A more modest house that is in a very nice area will be a better asset in the long run.

[Anonymous]

To each of their own.. for me, there is so much to lives that is not maintaining a home (at least during normal time).

I personally would do it only if I have tons of money to always outsource maintenance but very few people are lucky to be in that position.

[Anonymous]

Would there an issue if you own the house and then your spouse move-in with you? What can they claim during divorce - share of the appreciation or the monthly mortgage payments?

[Anonymous]

So I love working on my yard, probably because I’m a creative person, so having a yard is a positive for owning a SFH. I get a lot of compliments from the neighbors.

People I know with condos and duplexes also have maintenance and cleaning needs. Right now I’m advising a friend with a condo who’s doing a kitchen remodel and fixing the terrible job the builders did on her pipes. It can happen anywhere.

I travel for one to two weeks at a time eight to ten times a year as well. No issues.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Would there an issue if you own the house and then your spouse move-in with you? What can they claim during divorce - share of the appreciation or the monthly mortgage payments?

It has to be owned by you as premarital property and you can’t co-mingle funds assOciated with ownership during the marriage. If it were me I’d tell my SO that they are free to live there for free for the duration of the marriage, and I’d make sure to have a prenup.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Would there an issue if you own the house and then your spouse move-in with you? What can they claim during divorce - share of the appreciation or the monthly mortgage payments?

They cannot claim anything - it's a premarital asset. Just do not commingle. They can pay utilities and cable.

[Anonymous]

I'd buy a SFH in the best neighborhood with the best schools even though I don't have a kid.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'd buy a SFH in the best neighborhood with the best schools even though I don't have a kid.

Yep.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Would there an issue if you own the house and then your spouse move-in with you? What can they claim during divorce - share of the appreciation or the monthly mortgage payments?

They cannot claim anything - it's a premarital asset. Just do not commingle. They can pay utilities and cable.

That's what I thought. Any premarital asset if not co-mingled should be fine with a new marriage and subsequent divorce (if any). My question was if any one has strength in claiming that they shared the mortgage or any maintenance makes them eligible for any share in the appreciation during the married years.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Would there an issue if you own the house and then your spouse move-in with you? What can they claim during divorce - share of the appreciation or the monthly mortgage payments?

They cannot claim anything - it's a premarital asset. Just do not commingle. They can pay utilities and cable.

That's what I thought. Any premarital asset if not co-mingled should be fine with a new marriage and subsequent divorce (if any). My question was if any one has strength in claiming that they shared the mortgage or any maintenance makes them eligible for any share in the appreciation during the married years.

They would need to prove that - and keep their receipts. They couldn’t force a sale like with a joint asset. If they aren’t paying the mortgage- they are essentially getting free rent. Utilities/cable don’t go towards equity. I wouldn’t have them make mortgage payments or contributions towards capital improvements.

[Anonymous]

I wouldn't do it due to fear, fear of getting priced out. You won't make a good decision if that's what's driving it. You need to want the house. Want to live in it. See yourself there. Don't discount the importance of the emotional side to decisions.