Free Money Date template
Money Date: Buying Your First Home Together
Seven prompts before you start looking at Zillow seriously. Most home-buying conversations happen too late.
By The DuetWallet Team · Last updated May 26, 2026
Why this conversation matters
Couples typically get serious about house-buying about six months before they actually buy, and most of the financial conversations happen too late. This template moves them earlier, when changing your mind is still cheap.
20-25%
of home price, when you include down payment, closing, and moving
$2,400
average monthly mortgage on a $400k home at current rates
The 7 conversation prompts
Set 20 minutes. Make tea. Let's start.
Why do we want this, specifically?
'It's a good investment' is rarely the real reason. Be honest with each other.
Things to consider
- Stability
- Family planning
- Tired of renting
- Investment thesis
What can we actually afford, not what a lender will approve?
Lenders will approve 28% of gross income for housing. That's often too much.
Things to consider
- Mortgage + property tax + insurance + HOA + maintenance reserve
- What lifestyle has to compress to make it work
How long are we planning to stay?
Under 5 years, buying rarely beats renting financially. Be honest about life plans.
Things to consider
- Career stability
- Kids / school district considerations
- Likelihood of needing to move
What's our deal-breaker list?
What does the house need to have, and what would make it a no?
Things to consider
- Location
- Bedrooms / bathrooms
- Yard
- Commute
- Schools
How do we feel about debt?
A mortgage is a huge debt for most of your adult life. Both of us need to feel okay about it, separately.
Things to consider
- Personal risk tolerance
- Family backup if income drops
What's our backup plan if income drops?
Job loss + mortgage. What's the six-month plan?
Things to consider
- Emergency fund target (typically 6 months mortgage + expenses)
- Disability + life insurance
What's our 'we're ready' marker?
Specific. Not 'when we have enough.' What number, what life event, what date?
Things to consider
- Down payment threshold
- Specific career milestone
- Specific life event
Run this template inside DuetWallet
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