BY PAM LOBLEY

WWW.NEWJERSEYNEWSROOM.COM

NOW THAT'S FUNNY

A new study by the real estate company Coldwell Banker reveals that one in four “millennial” couples purchase a home together before marriage.

Millennial stands for how much their down payment costs.

Actually, millennial means the couples were between 18 and 34 year of age.  In other words, young.   Young people are always pushing the boundaries, or changing the rules.  A few decades ago, it was a scandal when young people started living together before they got married.  Then they started to have babies together before they got married.  Now they’re buying homes before they get married.  Pretty soon they’ll be getting divorced before they get married.

According to an interview on NJ1015.com, a correspondent from Coldwell Banker says that the millennials are very pragmatic.  If there is a chance to get a good price on a home, they will be ready to take advantage of it, even if they’re not quite ready to be married.  In fact, if they can get a good price on an ultrasound, they’ll get one of those, too, even if the woman isn’t pregnant yet.

Buying a house together is a big deal, and if your relationship can survive the pressure of qualifying for a mortgage, contemplating the 30 years of payments, and choosing whether you want the fixer up Colonial or the newer Ranch on a good block – chances are you will have a good strong marriage.

However, there are always unforeseen situations, and if you haven’t been married to your co-home buyer, you might not anticipate those situations.  I am married and a home owner, and I would like to offer some tips for home shopping to you not-yet married couples.

Keep in mind that your future spouse may be a hoarder.  Check their dresser top now.  Is it filled with crumpled receipts, souvenirs from vacations three years ago and pens that don’t work?  Does he/she insist on wearing jeans/shoes/sweatshirts that have more than two holes in them?  If so, I’m warning you, make sure you have lots of closets – and perhaps a walk-up attic.

Your spouse might be a lousy gardener.  You might have to get a landscaper, which can get expensive.  Think twice about a big yard.

Your spouse might be obsessed with the lawn.   They will spend all their time tending the grass or mulching the flower beds.  Think twice about a big yard.

Gals -- your husband is going to want a snow blower.  It doesn’t matter that it rarely snows in the winter anymore.  He will also want a leaf blower, a power washer, a gas grill, a generator, a shop vac and most probably a smoker.  Think “garage”.

Gents - your wife is going to want her mother to come visit.  Or her sister.  Or both at the same time. Where will they sleep?

Hopefully all will go well, and you will end up with a wonderful house at the right price.  After all the stress, you two will need a vacation.  How about a honeymoon?  You can take it before you get married.

Pam Lobley writes the “Now That’s Funny” column.  Check out her blog:  Better Living Through Chaos! Follow her on twitter @plobley.