Buying a home while legally married but separated from your former spouse is certainly possible, but there’s some extra documentation needed and things to be aware of. First, your lender is going to require your legal separation agreement. If you have a property settlement agreement, they’ll need that as well.

Is it easier for a couple to buy a house if they are married?

As long as you and your partner have strong credit scores, good incomes and minimal debt, you will likely receive the best mortgage rates as a married couple. For the best outcome, marry before buying a house if your finances are in order.

Can a first time buyer buy in her wife’s name?

To qualify for zero-rated SDLT – on the first £300,000 of the purchase of a property and then 5% on the remainder up to £500,000 – you would have to buy in your sole name. However, if your wife is making any contribution to the purchase of your new home, she would be ill-advised to agree to anything but joint ownership of it.

When to let your wife have the house she wants?

Our oldest can, when needed, drive herself to school and to meet with friends. So the commuting logistics make more sense to remain closer to the private school. But when our oldest heads to college and the youngest enters 9th grade, that logistical challenge will be eliminated.

Is it a good idea to buy a house?

Buying a house has been a traditional part of the American Dream that makes it very attractive to retirees or those nearing retirement. But whether it is a good investment move will depend on your motivations and your financial portfolio.

Do you pay stamp duty if your wife has already bought a house?

No zero-rated stamp duty land tax is available if one of the joint buyers of a property has owned a home before. Photograph: Tim Ireland/PA Q My wife and I are both about 50. When we met 20-plus years ago she had already bought a house which I moved into. We have decided now that we want to move and have started looking for property.