Can you afford your house without your spouse? Whether due to a separation, divorce, widowhood, or other life events, many women facing new beginnings find themselves faced with this question. The journey of homeownership is often considered a joint venture as spouses combine their financial resources to purchase a home. However, life is unpredictable, and circumstances may change. In this blog, we will explore the factors to consider when evaluating your ability to maintain homeownership solo.
1. Assess Your Current Financial Situation:
In this week’s blog, we’re going to focus on the first step to take when answering the question, “Can you afford your house without your spouse?” What should you do first? Conduct a thorough assessment of your current financial situation. This includes taking a close look at your income, expenses, and any outstanding debts. You will want to review factors such as the following:
a) Your Income:
Review your current income and consider any potential changes. If your spouse contributed significantly to the household income, you’ll need to rely on your solo earnings going forward. Evaluate whether your income alone is sufficient to cover mortgage payments, property taxes, insurance, and maintenance costs. You will also want to consider any salary fluctuations, bonuses, or additional income sources.
You should also assess the stability of your income. If your job is secure and offers growth opportunities, you may be in a more favorable position to maintain homeownership.
b) Your Expenses:
Many flinch at the mention of the word budget. Some view it as a four-letter word. But if you want to know if you can afford your house without your spouse, you need to understand what you spend as well as what you earn. The budgeting process includes creating a comprehensive list of your monthly expenses, including utilities, groceries, transportation, and personal spending. Doing so will provide an overview of your financial commitments. You will also want to identify your non-essential expenses. This involves reviewing your discretionary spending, such as dining out, travel, entertainment, and subscriptions. Strive to identify areas where you can cut back to free up funds for housing-related costs. Ideally, you can determine areas where you can reduce costs without sacrificing your well-being.
If you’re not sure what you’re spending, try tracking your spending for a few months. Categorize your expenditures into fixed costs (such as mortgage, utilities, and insurance) and variable costs (groceries, entertainment, and dining out). This will help you better understand your spending patterns. It can also help you identify areas where you can cut expenses if things get tight. Before buying my first house, I tracked my expenses in detail. Doing so gave me the confidence I could afford the purchase. It also helped me understand which expenses I could reduce or eliminate if necessary.
c) Create a Realistic Budget:
Once you know your income and expenses, compare your monthly income to your total expenses. Ideally, your income should exceed your expenses. This leaves more room for savings as well as managing unforeseen expenses.
It also helps to break down your budget into specific categories. Try allocating funds for housing, transportation, groceries, debt repayment, savings, and discretionary spending. Identify those things that are most important to you. After doing that, ensure that your spending in each category aligns with what matters most to you.
If you have outstanding debts, you will also want to implement a debt reduction strategy. I favor prioritizing high-interest debts first and allocating additional funds toward debt repayment. (See here and here for more on paying off credit card debt.) In the long run, this will help free up more money for both essential and discretionary expenses.
d) Negotiate and Cut Expenses:
Sometimes service providers will allow you to negotiate bills, especially for cable and internet services. You can also evaluate any subscriptions you have and consider canceling or downgrading non-essential services. Reviewing your shopping habits can also help. You may find opportunities to save on everyday purchases. Consider buying generic brands, taking advantage of sales, and being mindful of impulse buying. Such purchases have become much easier in the Internet age. Consider imposing a 48-hour rule on online purchases. If you find something you want, put it in your cart. But don’t place the order until 48 hours have passed. You may find that you don’t want the item after all.
e) Existing Debts:
Take stock of any existing debts, such as car loans, student loans, or credit card balances. You will want to understand what you owe and the related payments. Knowing this information is crucial when determining your overall financial capacity. You can also calculate your debt-to-income ratio. To do so, you can divide your total monthly debt payments by your gross monthly income. Lenders often use this metric when assessing your ability to manage additional financial responsibilities.
f) Emergency Fund:
Having an emergency fund is crucial, especially when managing a home independently. Strive to have three to six months’ worth of living expenses saved in the event you face unexpected financial challenges. This financial safety net can allow you to handle unexpected financial challenges. If your assessment of your emergency fund indicates you don’t have enough, prioritize building it up before making significant financial commitments.
g) Investment and Retirement Accounts:
If you are still working, evaluate your contributions to retirement accounts. While reducing your contributions to free up immediate funds can be tempting, keep in mind the long-term impact doing so can have on your financial security.
Another important consideration when determining whether you can afford your house without your spouse, relates to your investment portfolio. Review your investment portfolio and consider consulting with a financial advisor to ensure it aligns with your current and future financial goals.
h) Credit Score Check:
It’s also important to assess your credit health. You can check your credit report and score through free services such as Credit Karma or through the financial institutions where you have your accounts. A healthy credit score is crucial when seeking financing or negotiating mortgage terms. Your interest rate on a loan and the cost of insurance can both be impacted by your credit score.
i) Projected Budget with Homeownership Costs:
Earlier we discussed understanding your current budget. Based on your loan terms, you can calculate your mortgage payments. You will want to decide whether you can comfortably cover those payments without your former spouse’s financial contributions.
Don’t forget to factor in property taxes, homeowners’ insurance, maintenance, homeowners’ association dues, and any other homeownership-related costs. Ensure your budget includes these additional costs as well.
Making a thorough assessment of your current financial situation across these key areas will provide you with a comprehensive understanding of whether you have the financial capacity to afford your house without your spouse. Having this knowledge will empower you to make informed decisions about your housing situation and overall financial well-being.
2. Understand all Property-Related Costs:
Homeownership comes with various ongoing costs beyond the mortgage. Consider property taxes, homeowners’ insurance, and maintenance expenses. When determining whether you can afford your house without your spouse, it’s crucial to thoroughly examine these additional costs to ensure you have a full understanding of your financial responsibilities. Without the financial support of a spouse, you must be prepared to handle these costs on your own. Explore whether your budget allows for some or all of the following additional expenses without causing strain.
a) Mortgage Payments
b) Property Taxes
c) Homeowners’ Insurance
d) Private Mortgage Insurance
e) Home Maintenance and Repairs
f) Utilities
g) Homeowners’ Association (HOA) Fees
h) Landscaping and Lawn Care
i) Home Improvement and Renovations
j) Flood or Earthquake Insurance
k) HOA Special Assessments
l) Pest Control
When evaluating property costs, it’s essential to be proactive in budgeting for both routine and unexpected expenses. By understanding the full spectrum of homeownership-related costs, you can make informed decisions about your ability to afford your house without your spouse and ensure financial stability in the long run. Regularly reviewing and updating your budget based on changing circumstances will contribute to your overall financial well-being.
3. Legal and Mortgage Considerations
Navigating the legal and mortgage aspects of homeownership when contemplating keeping your house without your spouse involves careful thought and, in many cases, professional guidance. If you are facing a separation or divorce, it’s essential to consult with legal and financial professionals. Understanding the legal effects and potential changes to your mortgage terms is crucial. You may need to negotiate or refinance the mortgage to reflect your changed circumstances.
4. Lifestyle Factors
Aside from the financial aspects, homeownership also has emotional and lifestyle effects. Evaluate whether your current home suits your needs and whether downsizing or moving is a more practical option. Consider the emotional toll of maintaining a home alone and whether it aligns with your overall well-being. You also want to consider your emotional attachment to the home. If it holds significant sentimental value, it might influence your decision to keep the property. Weigh the emotional benefits against potential challenges.
You also want to assess your connection to the local community. If your home is in an area where you have established local ties, it can contribute positively to your well-being. Consider the impact of a potential move on your social support network.
If you have children, proximity to local schools can also be a crucial factor. Evaluate the educational opportunities in the area and whether your current home aligns with your family’s educational goals.
There are many other lifestyle-related factors to consider. Lifestyle considerations go beyond the financial aspects of homeownership. They involve evaluating emotional ties, community connections, practicality, and the ability of your home to support your broader life goals. By carefully weighing these lifestyle factors, you can make informed decisions that align with your well-being and lead to a more fulfilling life experience.
Closing Thoughts – Can you afford your house without your spouse?
Deciding whether you can afford your house without your spouse is a complex and personal one. By conducting a thorough financial assessment, reassessing your budget, and considering legal and emotional factors, you can make an informed choice. Seek professional advice to navigate the legal and financial intricacies and prioritize your overall well-being as you embark on this solo homeownership journey.
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Phil Weiss founded Apprise Wealth Management. He started his financial services career in 1987 working as a tax professional for Deloitte & Touche. For the past 25+ years, he has worked extensively in the areas of financial planning and investment management. Phil is both a CFA charterholder and a CPA.
Located just north of Baltimore, Apprise works with clients face-to-face locally and can also work virtually regardless of location.
