Houses Before Spouses

Homeownership Doesn’t Have to Wait for a Wedding Ring

For generations, we’ve been told there’s a “right order” to life: fall in love, get married, buy a house, have kids, retire. But we’re flipping the script—and helping our clients build wealth on their timeline.

At Open House Austin, we live by the motto: Houses Before Spouses. Why? Because waiting for a life partner shouldn’t delay one of the most powerful wealth-building moves you can make: buying real estate.

Whether you’re buying your first home solo, house hacking with a roommate, or co-investing with a friend, we’re here to make it happen—before (or instead of) walking down the aisle.

What “Houses Before Spouses” Really Means

It means putting financial freedom, security, and stability first—and not waiting around for a partner to do it. It’s a mindset shift: instead of renting until you meet “the one,” we help you explore creative ways to buy a home now.

Because let’s be real: real estate waits for no one. Home values (especially in Austin) don’t care if you’re single, dating, or in a long-term “situationship.” Every year you wait is a missed opportunity for appreciation, equity, and leverage.

House Hacking: The Single Person’s Wealth Hack

One of our favorite ways to get into the game early is through house hacking. This strategy allows you to buy a property and rent out part of it—a spare bedroom, a separate unit, or even a converted garage—to offset your mortgage.

It’s ideal for:

  • First-time homebuyers

  • Young professionals looking to build equity

  • Anyone wanting to live affordably and own property

We’ve helped tons of clients use this approach to cover most (if not all) of their monthly housing costs—freeing up their income to save, invest, or travel. You know, the good stuff.

Partner Up—Just Not Romantically

If the thought of buying solo feels intimidating, consider buying with a friend, sibling, or trusted partner. More and more of our clients are co-buying as a way to split costs, build equity faster, and get their foot in the door—without waiting on a partner or massive raise.

We’ll walk you through what it takes to legally protect your investment, set up a co-ownership agreement, and make sure you’re aligned on the financial side of things before you sign on the dotted line.

How Open House Austin Can Help

At Open House Austin, we specialize in educating and empowering first-time buyers—especially those who don’t fit the traditional mold. Whether you’re single, dating, married, or figuring it out, we help you:

  • Get pre-approved with flexible lenders who understand unique income situations

  • Learn how to maximize affordability with strategies like house hacking

  • Understand the long-term power of equity and appreciation

  • Find properties that match your lifestyle and financial goals

We host educational workshops, offer personalized buyer consultations, and provide real estate education without the pressure.

Previous
Previous

OHA Market Update Series - May 8, 2025

Next
Next

OHA Market Update Series - May 1, 2025