Spouses Buying Houses -

The represents your legal right to the property, while the deed is the physical document used to transfer that right. Spouses have several options for how they hold title:

: Lenders consider both incomes, which usually qualifies you for a larger loan. However, they typically use the lower of the two credit scores to determine interest rates.

: If one spouse has poor credit, it may be beneficial for the spouse with the higher score to apply alone to secure a better rate.

: Couples should decide early how to split expenses. Some use a "proportional split" based on income, while others prefer 50/50. Understanding Ownership (Title vs. Deed)

Personal Finance for Couples: Managing Joint Finances - DFPI