Traditionally, the busy season in real estate starts around April, though it’s been moving earlier in various parts of the United States. That leaves Valentine’s Day fairly clear for couples to look into each others’ eyes and dream of nesting in some cozy new abode.

Enjoy it while it lasts, because according to a recent Harris Poll, the vast majority of couples argue like crazy over the course of buying or selling a home.

Okay, so the words “like crazy” are mine. But look at all the things couples commonly fight about when buying a home:

• what size or style of home they want
• what features it must have or can’t have
• which location or neighborhood to buy in
• whether to buy a fixer-upper, and
• which mortgage would be best. 

As for selling a home, the disagreements included:

• what price to list at
• whether to accept a particular offer
• whether a price drop would help sell the place
• whether to make repairs before selling
• concerns over strangers walking through the home during open houses
• keeping the house clean for showings (dirty socks in the hallway don’t sell houses), and
• doubts about whether the house will ever sell.

But there’s good news buried within all this negativity! Unlike some arguments couples have been known to get into, these are over matters of substance.

So, with advance discussion and a little research, plus the help of industry professionals, couples could actually smooth their path to buying a home. And they’ll even want to continue living in together. Cleverly tucked within the links above, you’ll find lots of information on these very concerns. Happy Valentine’s Day, and home-buying season!