According to a survey released by JW Surety Bonds, 4 of 5 couples decide on a joint mortgage with their partner, with 32% saying financial stability is their biggest motivation for doing so.

The poll indicates that 94% expect a live-in partner (not listed on the mortgage) to contribute to household expenses, and 3 in 4 would expect them to help pay the mortgage — with millennials 20% more likely than baby boomers to do so.

Other results from the poll include:

• If there is a reduction of the mortgage rate, 40% of couples without a joint mortgage would quicken their decision to have one.
• More than 10% of couples would not be willing to split a mortgage with their significant other without a legal contract such as a prenuptial agreement in place.
• Of those couples with a joint mortgage, 88% are married, 11% are unmarried and living together, and 1% are engaged.
• Older generations typically wait seven years in a relationship before deciding to get a joint mortgage, while Gen Zers say that four years is enough.
• Of American couples, 84% say that it is acceptable to purchase a home with a significant other before getting married.

JW Surety Bonds surveyed 1,000 Americans about trends and factors behind the decisions by couples to co-own a home through joint mortgages. The average age of respondents was 43 years.

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