Can you buy a house with a cosigner?
Updated November 12, 2026
Yes. A cosigner adds their income and credit to your loan application, which can help you qualify. They also become responsible for the debt.
Cosigner or co-buyer
| Cosigner | Co-buyer | |
|---|---|---|
| On the loan | Yes | Yes |
| Owns part of the home | Usually no | Yes |
| Lives in the home | Usually no | Often yes |
| Responsible if payments stop | Yes | Yes |
What the cosigner takes on
The loan appears on the cosigner's credit. A missed payment affects both of you, and the debt counts against the cosigner if they apply for a loan of their own.
Loan rules differ
Loan programs set their own rules for a cosigner who will not live in the home. FHA loans, for example, treat a family member differently from someone who is not related. A lender can tell you which programs fit your situation.
Questions to settle before you apply
Who makes the payment, and what happens if that person can't? How long does the cosigner expect to stay on the loan? If you are buying together, who owns what share, and what happens if one of you wants to sell? Put the answers in writing. A Tennessee real estate attorney can draft an agreement between co-owners.
See what a second income changes
Add the second income and that person's monthly debts to the calculator to see the combined price range. Open the calculator.
This page is general information, not legal or lending advice.