After years of playing the dating game, you've finally found that special person who might be "the one". Now what? While more than 50% of couples start thinking about moving in together after six months, 70% of people wait two years before actually saying, "Let's do it!".

The excitement of finding your first home together and thinking about the future can often overshadow the real issues couples face after moving in together. 40% of couples who cohabitate eventually break up, most commonly due to incompatibility. Living together puts a magnifying glass on your differences, but having good communication can help you resolve issues before they become deal-breakers.

Before deciding to move in together, we suggest you discuss these 5 topics to make sure you get to happily ever after.

1. Finances & Budget

The first thing to consider is the mortgage or rent. It may be easy to split it 50/50 but you'll need to look at salary discrepancies and decide what makes sense for both of your finances. Establishing this budget before you start looking for a home will save both of you from falling in love with a place that's not affordable.

If your plan includes buying a home, you'll need to decide if you will apply for the mortgage together and share ownership or will just one person purchase the home. You will need legal guidance on how to hold the title of the property and to define the legal rights of ownership in case there is a breakup or death.

As the market shifts and interest rates adjust, you will need to set expectations about what you can afford at this time. The house of your dreams six months ago may not be realistic now. However, this is a great time to be a Home Buyer! With less competition, you'll face fewer bidding wars and have the ability to conduct an inspection and make repair negotiations. Home values continue to rise, so buying now means you'll pay less than you will next year, and all of that equity goes to you.

Whether renting or buying, remember to factor in utilities, maintenance costs, HOA fees, etc., as part of a monthly budget. Once that is figured out, it's important to determine how you'll split the grocery and shopping costs and who is picking up the tab when you eat out or hit the town. Making sure you are both comfortable with the finances will keep either of you from feeling burdened or overwhelmed and funds will be available to keep the home in good shape.

2. Dividing the Chores

Second only to money, chores and cleaning are at the top of the list of things couples fight about. If you've been together awhile, you probably already know your partner's level of cleanliness. Does it match your own? If dishes in the sink or toothpaste on the bathroom counter make you crazy, it's essential to communicate that to your partner. It's also necessary to establish who is responsible for which chores. Are you going to do your laundry together or separately? Does one person clean the bathrooms, and the other cleans the kitchen? Making a plan before you move in will help alleviate many arguments down the road.

3. Combining Your Styles

Blending your decorating aesthetics can be one of the most challenging parts of moving in together. The best-case scenario is one of you doesn't really care about the decor, so the other person can take the lead. However, that's not often the case. Does your partner have a beloved light-up beer sign or their grandma's treasured antique lamp? Start by establishing a furniture/decor budget. It's important to know if you can afford a new couch or if you'll need to incorporate the leftover college futon into your living space. If starting from scratch isn't an option, come up with a color palette you can both live with and look for slipcovers or blankets to cover the hand-me-down brown velour couch. You can then look through your current decor and find items that complement the color of your furniture. If your styles are polar opposites, a good compromise is to let each partner pick a couple of sentimental items that can fill an empty corner or a guest room. BONUS TIP- Are you looking for a fun, productive date idea? Try hitting the local estate sales and thrift stores to find bargain items you both like.

4. Setting Boundaries & Creating Schedules

One of the most common reasons people avoid living together is because they're afraid they'll lose thir independence. It's vital to have an honest conversation about the expectations both of you bring to the arrangement. If you enjoy alone time, you may feel smothered when you first move in together. Setting guidelines about how often you need to be together physically can help you both have some freedom in making plans for self-care or spending time with friends. Other topics to discuss include screen/gaming time, having house guests, and activities you'll do together.

Much like setting boundaries, it's imperative to make sure you have the same understanding about your schedules. If you've ever had a roommate, you know how annoying it can be when they have Cody Rigsby blasting on the Peloton while you're trying to sleep. Equally frustrating is when you prepare a special dinner only to find out your partner went out for drinks after work. Sitting down together to review your schedules for the week can help avoid hurt feelings and ensure a peaceful transition to living together.

5. Be Patient

No matter how much pre-planning you put into moving in together, there will be hiccups along the way. Remember to be patient with your significant other as you both navigate this new arrangement. Cohabitating creates the opportunity to build dreams together as a couple, and investing in a home is a smart way to build wealth in the long term. Open communication to work through budgeting, dividing responsibilities, and spending time together will be the key to creating a great living experience. Make sure you remember all the reasons you wanted to live with this special person in the first place.

Contact us if you're thinking about buying your first home together or if you're wondering if purchasing is an option for you.