Yes house, no ring Love, then marriage and then homeownership?

It doesn’t always go in that order. Sixteen percent of first-time homebuyers in 2017 were unmarried couples, according to the National Association of Realtors. That is highest share the organization has recorded since 1981. It can be risky, but here are a few tips:

1 Sign a prenup for the house No couple wants to talk about breaking up, but if you’re going to be co-homeowners, it’s a must, says Renee Bergmann, a real estate attorney in New Jersey. She recommends unmarried couples create a co-ownership contract with the help of a legal professional before closing day. The agreement should answer basic questions like: What happens to the property if you split? What if one of you becomes disabled or dies? Who pays utility bills or for major repairs?

2 Choose the right type of title Turns out there’s more than one way to own a house, and taking title the right way is especially important for unmarried couples. Options vary from state to state, but generally include: Sole ownership: Only one name is recorded on the deed and that person has all the rights and responsibilities of ownership. This may yield tax savings if your incomes are drastically different. And, if your partner has bad credit, applying for a home loan in your name only may help with approval. However, ownership rights are determined by names on the deed, not the mortgage. So if the relationship ends and you’re not on the title, you’ll risk walking away with nothing. Joint tenancy: Each person owns 50 percent of the property. If a tenant dies, that person’s share automatically transfers to the other joint tenant. Joint tenants enjoy right of survivorship, so you won’t have to worry about fighting the estate or relatives for the house in the event of your partner’s death. But an unfriendly breakup could spell trouble, especially if one partner can’t or won’t buy the other out. Tenants in common: Allows unequal ownership, so you could own a 75 percent stake while your partner owns 25 percent, for instance. This allows ownership shares to be tailored to match financial contributions. But if one tenant dies, the other has no automatic right to that person’s share of the property unless named in a will or living trust. No matter which approach you choose, if you tie the knot after buying, consider revising the deed to reflect your new legal status.

This article was provided to The Associated Press by the personal finance website NerdWallet.