Things to know before buying a home?

I need some advice for buying a home. My BF and I are planning on getting married in the next 1-2 years [depending on how fast I can finish my undergraduate degree] and I really need some things to be cleared up before I take that plunge lol.

Recently, we went up to Orlando and checked out some houses that were in our price range [well, his for the time being lol]. Much to my [pleasant] surprise, we could actually afford a lot more than a dilapidated shack. Now, the thing that scares me about this is that all these houses are short sale/pre-foreclosure homes, hence the reason why they are so insanely cheap. The way the realtor explained it was WAYYYYY confusing and I couldn't tell you what she said to save my life. Now, I do know that the Orlando market is doing pretty bad right now [as is the rest of the country lol] and all that BUT I would like to know a little more about this whole process before I put my [or his lol] name on ANYTHING. Any info on the short sale process or anything real estate related is welcome. TIA

Also, a part of the reason we're trying to get a home is to have proof of a bona fide marriage for immigration. However, I won't be living in that home for at least a year or so. He's going to be living there because of his job/school and I'll go up there shortly before we actually get married [which should coincide with me finishing school...see a pattern? lol]. Now, will it look weird to immigration that we're not actually going to be living there together the entire time? We're going up there in about a month or so to put down the down payment and sign all the forms and the house should be "ours" [his] by April ish, according to the realtor. Since he'll be living there by himself for at least a year or so, will there be issues with using that as proof? Both of our names are going to be on the forms but I'll still be living in S. FL. Will this look weird to USCIS?

I'm pretty sure all of the above is barely coherent so, if you've read this far, I love you and I'll remember to put you on my permanent DO NOT BAN list. LOL Truthfully, I really, really appreciate any help on either of the above questions. THANKS!

Commenting just to get on the list.

It might look weird, but if you guys are living there together before you actually go to your interview, and you have plenty of other proof that your marriage is valid, I don't see why it should be a problem.

^No sale.


You just got placed on the BAN List.


LOL...j/k. Thanks! I really need to be reassured right now lol.

You guys are going to be engaged for 1-2 years before getting married and moving in? What's weird about that?

That's pretty typical. A lot of couples buy houses together before they get married. As long as you live there after you get married. If they ask why the house was in both your names you should be fine and just tell them we knew we were getting married in a few years, I just had to finish up school. I think it would actually help in showing you had a long term relationship before you got married.

Damn straight. Now, remember, no matter what I do...the list is permanent. I'm invincible. Moohaha.

If you REALLY want to prove your marriage is valid, you should pop out some babies. Preferably sextuplets. Then there'd be no denying it.

And then giving them away as birthday presents after the interview? Sounds like a plan!

Actually no. Realistically, I [sigh...hate is such a strong word] dislike children. I've practically had to raise my aunt's child [now 4] and I never want to do it again, or at least not for a whilllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllleeeeeeee.

Thanks so much! This is exactly what I was telling my BF's mom but she said that if she were an immigration officer she would be suspicious, which in turn made me freak out and almost start sobbing. I didn't ask her why it would make her suspicious; I guess I'm just overly emotional and I pulled a Hillary.

Too bad, because I was going to host the baby raffle.

Hopeful, have you guys considered getting married before you graduate?
I don't know how long the adjustment process takes but you could not only qualify for in-state but financial aid as well in a few months. Are there any good schools in the Orlando area you could attend?

Something to think about that could save you guys a lot of money in the long term.

^Well, we have seriously considered marriage before I graduate but we decided against it for a couple of reasons. First off, both of our families really want one of us to have a college degree before we get married just in case the other one needs extra time in school, the need for a good paying job and such. Second of all [and probably the most superficial one ever LOL]: neither of us want a courthouse wedding. He's got TONS of family and he really wants them all there and I'm really just there to support his dream. Our parents have offered to pay for a nice wedding, granted that one of us finish college first. Since my BF is going to be paying for the house solely on his own [until I can get a job], this seems like the only way to get something similar to what we want for our wedding. I feel terrible even writing that out but....yeah. LOL. Lastly, I'm actually in the works for a pretty good scholarship at a good school here in S. FL and I figure I would save some extra money [and the risk of getting pregnant] by living with my parents until I get married.

I'm really trying not to have kids. Really. LOL

I guess if worse comes to worst we'll go to the courthouse, get married, and just adjust status from there before we finish college but that's really a last-minute option. Believe me, we arrived at the conclusion to wait after lonnnnnnnngggg talks and deliberations. I'm so sick of that discussion that if I have to talk to him about it again I'll rip my hair out. Urgh. lol