Buying separately or together?

[Propertydilemma7]

I am in a relationship of two years and we have been discussing buying property over the next year or so.

We both earn good salaries which are very similar to each other and are early 30s.

Dp has a help to buy property which he is keen to hold onto (not a first time buyer) whereas I am a FTB with a significant deposit from inheritance. He doesn’t know about this yet.

is it best to:

(a) buy alone but we live together
(b) buy together and he sells his property / rents it out?

Feeling quite confused and want to do right by everyone. We could buy a bigger property if we bought together and this would be the long term plan anyway. I am reluctant to put my whole deposit into the property As it is fairly significant (very lucky but it was through sad circumstances) and would get the necessary legal protections.

I'd buy by yourself for now.
You could get a first time buyer mortgage.
Obviously you are already aware of ring fencing your deposit.
Does he already have a mortgage ? If so would he be able to get another one with you?

Do you know why he is he keen to hold onto his current property?
Do you both of you actually see this as a long term relationship? As that would massively affect the option I’d choose.

Always protect yourself. If that means getting a separate property as he doesn't want to move, then do so. You don't want to wait 5 years to discover he still doesn't want to buy with you and everythinghas gone ip so you get less. It is definitely worth exploring with him why he doesn't want to either sell or get a joint mortgage on the current property. You need to make sure you are working towards the same goals. Some people happily live apart forever and that's fine when it works for both. It sounds like you want more though.

Do you already live together? If not, I'd recommend that first(!)

Otherwise buy as tenants in common then your inheritance is protected and, erm, don't get married 😁

Yes pretty sure we both see this as long term.

We have discussed buying together and he is on the same page but I’m starting to think we should buy separately to protect our own assets for now and also because it makes sense re stamp duty.

We live in an expensive city so could buy more for our money if we combined resources but maybe it makes sense to do so in a few years when we have committed? I’m pretty sure he wants us to get married / have kids (we have had the discussion and he says that’s where he sees it going) and is actually more traditional than me in this sense!

I think this is sensible. I’d wait until you’re engaged or married and feel more secure in that sense.

A)

1st time buyer perks, plus no 2nd home penalties. Security for you.

By all means live together and you can buy together when committed.

I think there are rules with properties bought using the HTB scheme which means he has to live in it so wouldn't be able to rent it out. Also if he sells he will have to repay the loan.