My spouse isn’t on the mortgage. Should I add them to the title?
Title and the mortgage do different things: title reflects ownership, while the mortgage identifies who owes the lender. Do not treat adding a spouse to title as a routine form; understand the ownership, lending, and tax consequences first.
Build the decision from the full household picture
Compare the monthly payment, cash needed at closing, savings left afterward, existing debts, current housing costs, and any property either person already owns. Also account for changes that are reasonably expected during the next several years, such as a different commute, children, caregiving, or a need for more space. A lender’s maximum approval is only a borrowing limit; it does not decide what payment will remain comfortable for the household.
Ownership and the mortgage are not the same
The deed identifies ownership, while the promissory note identifies who is responsible for repaying the loan. Adding a spouse to a deed does not add that spouse to the mortgage, and removing a name from title does not release a borrower from the debt. Review the recorded deed and loan documents before planning a sale, refinance, or ownership change.