Are you ready to take the next step in your relationship and buy your first home as a couple? If such a project appears very exciting on paper, it generally also comes with its share of hoops and hurdles. No matter the intensity and depth of the love you share, reality can be slightly less glamorous than what you might have expected.

When buying a home with a partner, it isn’t all rainbows and unicorns. You will need to prepare yourselves for a few complicated, heated conversations, and be ready to compromise. You will also need to anticipate the worst that could happen (like unexpected job loss or a change in your financial situation). In other words, to successfully buy a home as a couple, the key is to communicate and anticipate.

To help you find your new love nest and make sure things run as smoothly as possible, we put together these five steps to buy a home as a couple:

1. Set a budget (and get pre-approved for a loan)
2. Know (and agree on) what you want
3. House hunt with a plan
4. Make the right offer to secure your dream home
5. Protect your future (and prepare for the worst)

To read more, view the article here.