Home-buying as a couple is likely to be more fun than home-buying on your own.  For one thing, you now have two incomes.  Mortgage consultants will look at your combined monthly gross income to find out “how much house” you can buy.

As a single person with an income of $40,000 a year and no debt, you could afford a home that costs about $120,000.  As an engaged or married couple with two incomes totaling $80,000 a year and no debt, you could now afford a home of about $250,000 a year.

Whether your goal is to live inexpensively the first several years together and save money, or spend more money to get a “dream home” for your first home together, the point is you have choices now that you didn’t have as a single person.