To say you should rent first?

[worstpersoneverr]

So my good friend is saving up to buy a house with her boyfriend they've been living in a single bedroom at her mums for three years. I said to her maybe she should rent first as I think it's different when you move in together in comparison to living with family. She said there's no point it's just dead money I said I know but for 6 months to see how you get on living together as they are always falling out! I've just left it as that but I think she's abit annoyed with me.

They should rent first.

Or maybe just split up straight away, if they are "always falling out".

I agree with you and feel sorry for the mum who has put up with them for 3 years , but there’s not much you can do if that’s what she’s determined to do, seems crazy when they are already falling out.

DH and I bought a place together without renting first. That was 16 years ago and we’re still together and happy! It’s your friend’s decision to make.

Really?

Don't they live together now? Albeit at her mum's?

People who refer to rent as 'dead money' are foolish. Buy a house if you want to, but it's incredibly likely in this market that you'll end up underwater on your mortgage when prices inevitably crash. I have over £100k savings having just sold my flat before the economy tanks, and I'm renting a lovely 4 bed art deco semi until Brexit shakes itself out one way or another. It's rent, not 'dead money', which is what my 100k would be if I were idiotic enough to buy a house right now.

I agree with you.

YANBU. People who think buying is better because renting is dead money forget that there's loads of dead money in buying. All the stamp duty and solicitors fees etc is money you won't get back, in the first few years you pay a lot of interest on the mortgage.

If you buy and have to sell in a year because you actually can't live with the other person you can easily lose as much money as 6 months rent with loads more stress.

I think it's hugely risky to buy a house if you haven't rented together, by yourselves (no flatmates or family to act as buffers) first.