So I'm looking at a place and getting married this year (yay!). My SO is terrible with money because she doesn't think systematically (rather than that she buys shiny things). She has terrible credit because she will, say, miss a payment, because she thought autopay was on. She's otherwise wary of debt, however. Her only credit card intentionally maxes at $250. Sure, not ideal, but some of us are bad at money. My credit is around 810 and we have shared financial plans (that she wants me to shepherd, anyway).
1. Is it to my advantage (and realistic) to buy a place prior to getting married? I can very easily afford the place I'm looking at (90-120k), and it's nice for the area. It's local to my job anyway. So how much more hassle will it be to wait (is she then required to be on the application after we're married?).
2. Tips to shop mortgage lenders? I looked at Sofi and got prequalified for a 15 year around 4.5 but they want me to borrow over 100k. I don't need to - does it make sense to borrow more to hit the minimum and invest it? Is that a thing? I'm sure there's very complicated language to review but I'm not pulling credit yet. Before I bother negotiating with them on whether they'll lend less, is there a common "floor" to mortgages? I thought it was like 50k. Lending Tree claims 3.75% on 15-yr is possible. Sofi offered 4.5. Consumer Direct offered 4.75 (only $600 in fees). Better Home offered 4.5 as well.
3. Sofi offers lender-paid PMI - does anyone know if that's nonsense already factored into your rate offer, or a real perk at Sofi? They offer 10% down loans with this, and if I can leave it in VTSAX for free or nearly free, I'd just... do that.
4. Am I missing anything about "customer service"? They all tout customer service, but unless there's a reason I'll be calling my mortgage broker for coffee, or their online payment portal doesn't work and their phone was repossessed, I can't imagine this mattering very much after the mortgage is written.