If you’ve ever looked at your rent payment and thought, “I could be building equity with this,” you’re not alone. More buyers are deciding they don’t have to wait until they can afford a home on their own. They’re teaming up with a sibling, a parent, a partner, or a close friend and buying together.

A new national survey found that 71% of Americans would consider buying a home with someone other than a spouse. Six in ten said they’d rather buy now and share ownership than keep renting until they can buy alone.

This post kicks off an eight-part series on co-buying. Over the next several weeks, we’ll walk through financing, the home search, taking title, house rules, splitting expenses, taxes, and what happens when someone wants out. First, let’s start with the big question: is co-buying right for you?

What the study found

The numbers come from the Neighbors Bank Co-Buying Report, a September 2026 survey of 1,014 U.S. adults reported by Homes.com. A few findings stood out to us.

People mostly want to buy with family. When asked who they’d consider co-buying with, respondents named:

• A parent: 44%
• A sibling: 41%
• An unmarried partner: 40%
• A close friend: 30%
• An adult child: 27%

Only 8% would consider buying with a stranger they were matched with through an app.

Cost is the main driver, but not the only one. About 94% gave a money-related reason, like splitting the mortgage payment (52%) or the down payment (37%). Still, 24% said companionship was their top reason. Half said they’d consider buying with friends so they could grow older together rather than live alone.

People take it seriously. 61% said buying with a close friend or family member is as serious as getting married. And 94% want the terms in writing.

That last number matters most. People know co-buying is a big commitment. What they often don’t know is exactly what to put in writing, and that’s where planning ahead pays off.

Why it makes sense in Clark and Cowlitz counties

Here in Southwest Washington, we’re seeing the same pressures that show up in the national numbers. Prices and interest rates have made it harder for a single income to qualify for the home people want. Combining two incomes, or two down payments, can change that.

A few local factors make co-buying worth a look:

• More flexible housing options. Washington law now requires most cities in urban growth areas to allow accessory dwelling units (ADUs). A home with an ADU or a separate living space can give each household its own room to breathe.
• Families helping each other. We regularly work with parents who want to help an adult child get into the market, and with adult children planning for an aging parent. Co-buying can be a way to do both.
• A wide range of home types. From Vancouver and Camas to Ridgefield, Battle Ground, and Longview, there’s a mix of single-family homes, duplexes, and properties on larger lots that can work well for two households.

That said, co-buying isn’t the right move for everyone. The best time to figure that out is before you start shopping.

Questions to ask before you co-buy

Before you talk to a lender or tour a single home, sit down with your future co-owners and work through these questions together. Be honest. A little awkwardness now can save a lot of conflict later.

1. Why are we doing this? Is it mainly about money, about living near each other, or both? Knowing everyone’s real reason helps you choose the right home and set the right expectations.
2. How long do we each plan to stay? If one person sees this as a five-year stepping stone and the other sees it as a forever home, plan for that now.
3. Are we on the same page financially? Talk openly about income, debts, savings, and credit. You don’t need identical finances, but you do need to know what each person brings.
4. Who is putting in what? Will everyone contribute equally to the down payment and monthly costs, or will the split be uneven? Uneven is fine as long as it’s agreed on and written down.
5. How do we make decisions? Think about remodels, big repairs, or renting out a room. Does everyone need to agree, or does the majority decide?
6. How will we handle conflict? Every household disagrees sometimes. Agree now on how you’ll talk things through, and when you’d bring in a mediator.
7. What happens if life changes? Marriage, a new partner, a job move, a loss of income, or a death can all change the plan. You’ll want a clear answer for each.
8. What’s our plan if someone wants out? This is the question most people skip. In the study, only about half of Gen Z respondents wanted a buyout or exit plan, compared with 79% of baby boomers. Experience tends to teach people why it matters.

We’ll go deeper on many of these questions later in the series.

Signs you’re ready, and a few red flags

You’re probably in a good spot if:

• You’ve talked about money openly, and nobody got defensive.
• You already know how each other handles stress, bills, and household chores.
• Everyone is willing to put the agreement in writing and get legal advice.
• You have a rough idea of what you’d each do if the arrangement ended.

Slow down if:

• One person is pushing harder than the others, or someone feels pressured.
• Anyone avoids talking about credit, debt, or income.
• You’re counting on the home to fix a strained relationship.
• No one wants to discuss what happens if things don’t work out.

None of these red flags rule out co-buying. They just mean you have more conversations to have first.