If You Can’t Afford a House on Your Own, Start With Your Real Options
If you can’t afford a house on your own, that does not always mean homeownership is out of reach. In the U.S., some buyers move forward by applying with a co-borrower, using a low-down-payment mortgage, or working with a HUD-approved housing counselor to figure out what is truly affordable. The CFPB notes that when you buy with a co-borrower, both people are jointly responsible for the mortgage, and each borrower can be held responsible for the full payment if the other person cannot pay.
One Common Option Is Buying With Someone Else
For people who can’t afford a house on their own, buying with a spouse, partner, family member, or another co-borrower is one of the most common paths. The CFPB says unmarried people can apply jointly for a mortgage, and lenders generally may not treat married and unmarried joint applicants differently just because of their relationship status. But shared buying also means shared legal and financial risk, since both borrowers are on the hook for the loan.
Low-Down-Payment Programs Can Help
Another option if you can’t afford a house on your own is looking at mortgage programs designed for lower upfront costs. Fannie Mae says its HomeReady mortgage allows down payments as low as 3% and may let buyers use gifts, grants, and certain other funding sources for down payment and closing costs. Fannie Mae also highlights down payment and closing cost assistance as part of its affordable homeownership tools.
Get Help Before You Buy
If affordability is tight, professional guidance can be a smart next step. HUD says its housing counseling program helps families obtain and retain housing, and buyers can find a HUD-approved agency online or by calling 800-569-4287. The CFPB also stresses that what a lender approves is not always the same as what feels comfortable in your monthly budget, which is why affordability should be based on your full financial picture.
Final Thoughts
If you can’t afford a house on your own, your best move is usually to slow down and compare realistic paths instead of forcing a purchase too early. Co-buying, low-down-payment financing, and housing counseling can all help, but each comes with tradeoffs. The right answer is the one that keeps your monthly payment sustainable, not just technically approved.
