It used to be that couples first got married, and then bought a home together. No more! Modern couples no longer consider marriage a prerequisite for buying a home together. Buying a property together can complicate either a breakup or a divorce if not considered upfront.
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No one likes to think about the end of a relationship, but buying a home is a huge investment – not only in the relationship but financially. The partners may have differences in income, down payment, and contributions to the home. In the event of a separation, how will these issues be addressed? In other words, what happens if you break up?

The easiest way to ensure that everyone is protected is the title. Most married couples opt for Joint Tenancy that provides each homeowner an equal interest in the value of the property. The assumption is that marriage involves a merging of income and assets.

For couples who plan to keep their finances separate, a better option could be a Tenancy in Common. This form of title provides each owner with a separate, transferrable interest in the property. The interest does not need to be equal to the other; this could give one a larger interest if they contribute more financially. The interest can also be sold or inherited separately.

Don’t let the excitement of a home purchase keep you from considering the future. Before closing on that dream home together, consider the exit strategy – just in case.

A somewhat unexpected trend this past year has been an increased interest in owning houseplants. Decades ago, our parents’ homes were filled with pots of ferns, flowers, and even trees. This décor element is back! No longer are plants relegated to the herb pot in the kitchen. As we strive to use more natural décor products, homes are once again filled with living design features. But have you gone too far?

10 Signs You Have Too Many Houseplants

1. You live in a jungle–Boho designs often include plants, but if you’re pushing aside leaves to walk around your home, you’ve gone too far.
2. You panic when you see a dead leaf–Remember, leaves do die to make room for new growth.
3. You have “plant babies” – Do you hire a plant-sitter for weekend trips?
4. Your plants have names – Are you inviting friends to a Zoom birthday for your rhododendron? This could be a problem.
5. You have a plant wall–Have you replaced your bookshelves or family photos with a wall of plants?
6. You talk to your plants–As long as they don’t talk back ,you could still be okay.
7. You post throw back plant pictures–Nobody needs to see your monthly plant milestone pictures on social media. “Remember when it was just a little seedling? Aww...”
8. You take plant family selfies–You might have too many plants if every selfie includes your plant family.
9. You have a plant tattoo–Is your favorite plant immortalized on your forearm?
10. You have a favorite plant – Enough said, you have too many plants.

​It’s good to “go green”; houseplants can purify our air, improve our mood, and bring a taste of the outdoors inside. But if your home looks like it needs trimming—or mowing—you may have too many houseplants.