Houses Are a Girl's Best Friend

The Mother Ship has churned out a blog while I was still mulling over what I was seeing: Couples, unmarried, not engaged, just committed couples buying houses together.

http://blog.coldwellbanker.com/newengagementring/

The MS calls this the "new engagement ring" and since I have several of this committed couples on my client list: maybe they are onto something. Maybe this is the trend I've been spotting but couldn't quite put my finger on.

Now that they've named it for me I've had an A-ha! moment seeing all the clients I'm currently searching, showing or have contracts in place with. Some have babies toddling about, some have babies on the way, some have long histories together but not one of these couples declares themselves 'engaged' and none one of them has a wedding planned.

This is different from just 4 years ago when I had an influx of couples, engaged, planning weddings and looking to buy a house.

So what's the difference? Attitude.

Marriage isn't out of the question. Marriage is down the road. Marriage can wait for the romantic proposal (The tale of romantic after-house-purchase-engagement-story was told by my buyer's friend as we signed the final acceptance papers). Marriage can wait because interest rates have started to climb. House prices have bottomed out (last year!!) and are starting to climb. Inventories are down. Down payment money is starting to make a comeback.

Use the financial resources of the couple to buy a home now....marriage can wait.

I am seeing couples who have graduated college. Have a nest egg, a job, a committed relationship and have pushed aside the romance for the practicality of home ownership as their couple-commitment statement. No big engagement party, no picture in the press, no splashy bridezilla moments...save the drama for the interior decorator. Forget hiring the hall - hire the house inspector, instead.

These are young couples starting out in a brave new world like never before. With college debts to combine, careers to try to cobble together with futures seemingly more unstable with the world and national economies...and they are investing in bricks and mortar, solid foundations and working septics, new roofs and remodeled baths.

Use the financial resources of the couple to cement the relationship like no diamond ring ever will. Marriage can wait...but these interest rates won't.