To think if you meet your partner young, it massively impacts your housing situation?

[BumblingAlonggg]

Just idly thinking of my friends who met partners at uni, or quite quickly after graduation. I can think of quite a few couples who met young, spent a couple of years seeing each other and moved in together between maybe 25 and 28.

In one case, two of my mates and their partners all living in a (large!) 1 bedroom flat in a pricey part of East London, they shared for a few years and were able to save very efficiently.

When I compare to myself, who didn't meet a partner until later and spent all my twenties and early thirties in house shares, it just feels like it is a massive advantage to meet the person you love young, in terms of stability and being able to save.

And it's really just down to chance when you meet somebody you fall in love with where those feelings are mutual, so not a lot you can do to hurry it along!

Anyone else think this too?

I bought at the same time (with my ex-h) and sold the house last year for only £25k more than I bought it for, despite spending a lot more than that on it over the years.

Yes we bought young (21 and 26) but it didn't do us any good - plus I had to buy him out when we divorced.

It definitely helped us. We met at 18/19 at uni and we bought our first house at 22/23. Our house increased in value a lot in the first year or so.

That was 20 years ago, I doubt it would be achievable now.

My partner eats about 4x what I do so that's probably why 🤣 I found I somehow always had more money, although I also can understand when you share costs technically you're better off overall. When I was single, I rented a room in a flat so minimal costs for me overall and I managed to save a lot of money (was a very long time ago though! And things were probably much cheaper, although I also earned a pittance).

I do agree with you OP, I met my now husband at 16, did college and uni then rented a flat for a year to make sure that we'd continue being good together (with living away at uni we tended to see each other only every other weekend!) and then bought our house at 23!

I bought in London (SW19), without a partner or help from parents.

Met my husband at Uni and married shortly after graduating. Made no difference to our housing situation and there are distinct advantages to having children in mid twenties. No regrets from me.

I bought my own flat in my 20's when they were cheap.

I had a boyfriend at the time but it was something I decided I wanted to do on my own. He lived there with me rent free till we split up. We just shared bills.

However if we had got married and had children then I guess we'd have bought a house instead but then I'd be living in a flat now instead of my house because we'd have divorced no doubt.

Buying my flat gave me the freedom to travel as I rented it out and having my own home to return to. I guess I was lucky to buy the right kind of property in the right place at the right time also allowing me flexibility in the work I chose and allowed me to enjoy my DC

@Krystall I don't know you though...

💯 it’s easier in a couple, and this was reflected across all my friends.

Buying is easier: you have 2 incomes for the mortgage, 2 sets of savings for the deposit, 2 sets of parents to help with that little bit extra. When you move in, there’s 2 of you to cover bills, furnishings, emergency spending, renovations.

Leading up to buying you can save more:

• shared rental costs
• shared groceries
• shared bills
• holidays can be cheaper with 2 sharing

Even things like once you’re in a couple you might not be going out as many nights of the week as a single person.

All things that a determined and financially savvy single person (which I was not!) can overcome, but they’re definitely at a disadvantage comparatively.

Yes but your daughter who is a natural saver will still had to save harder and longer than a couple who are natural savers.

YANBU.

I think the crux is being able to stay at home and save without renting. And maybe people are more likely to do that if they're in a relationship than single and wanting to get out and explore more.

I don’t believe age matters, it was the life choices you choose to have, you could have saved anytime with or without a partner.

I had my first mortgage at 18, we saved - I was in full time education/ working full time , dh was in an apprenticeship. It was important for me that we had our own home so we made it happen though hard work and sacrificing our teen years of freedom.

I don’t believe age matters,

But statistically it's much harder for todays young then it was...

On the flip side if both people do manage to save deposits individually they could bring a large deposit or equity/2 houses to a relationship if they've managed to buy!

But statistically it's much harder for todays young then it was...

The world was a different place 20 years ago, bank, mortgage and interest rates were low, however if a couple wants a mortgage they will make it happen, it’s about life choices.

I know of 2 young adults who have made 2 different life choices, one has a mortgage and the other is travelling/is a spender.

Even in todays world you can still get a 100% mortgage however it depends on your life wants and goals.

I think you are right OP. I think in my case it was down to the guys I chose though and my lack of self confidence.

I went out with a guy in my early twenties who was abusive, then moved onto someone who had an IVA, gambling and drink problem at the weekends. He had a lot of potential which didn't get realised until I left him and it kicked him up the arse! I was at uni in my late twenties having not known what to do with myself since leaving school and lacking in confidence in the workplace (which still happens).

My next guy (current partner of many years) was pretty much close to homelessness when I met him. Neither of us had rich parents, we had kids, and while we are doing OK now and would have been able to save very quickly a few years ago, childcare fees, rents going crazy and the general economic outlook has trashed that.

So in my case, I don't think it is just meeting someone when i was older, it was a willingness to put up with shit from men in my early twenties, my own lack of confidence that allowed this and has prevented me progressing career wise, and just the shitty economic outlook that has landed just when we started to do ok as a couple. The last one is the absolute worst. We both got decent payrises and they have been totally swallowed up by increasing costs.

However, I'm glad in a way we haven't bought in the last couple of years. I'm someone who would stress about negative equity or a sudden increase in their mortgage like some people are about to get. I know prices were down for many months and went up slightly last month, but I think the overall trajectory is going down. We do have a large generational cohort (boomers) who live in under occupied homes in the dying years now and a falling birthrate. Plus landlords trying to bail out of BTL now too and affordability for any FTB has been trashed. That said, homes are still selling where I am when priced reasonably.

I think you're right OP, though it's only one factor.

YABU. I think it’s about salaries. I know a few people who bought flats on their own (not even that long ago, either), who then sold them and merged their pots when they bought with a partner. Having a bigger salary is the main driver, I think.

Even in todays world you can still get a 100% mortgage however it depends on your life wants and goals.

It's ok to not want an 100% mortgage!

The world was a different place 20 years ago, bank, mortgage and interest rates were low, however if a couple wants a mortgage they will make it happen, it’s about life choices.

It's always wrapped up around life choices but may people have far less choice then others. I only got on the ladder when I did because I lived at home to save & then had help. I'm ok with recognising my privilege 🤷🏻‍♀️

YABU. I think it’s about salaries.

which have stagnated for years

No.
I bought my house on my own at 23. I didn’t meet DH until I was 35. The important bit is not getting in to the rent trap.

Interesting. Also depends on your nature, are you a saver. Young people won't be able to afford to buy without deposits saved, eg a CTF or parental help, or having saved it themselves.

There is a massive advantage of having a partner at young age, period.

Having the support by your side, where as single people have hype themselves up and find a readon to go on.

Money indeed.

An social status, you’re treated so much better when you have a partner.
I don’t ubderstan why, but people still today treat single people lika leper!

Do you realise in London many single people are paying the same as a mortgage on a 3 bed elsewhere just to rent a room. My single friend is in her early 40s and paying £950 just to rent a double room in an okish shared flat. It's not even that nice.