More Unmarrieds Split Home Cost

The number of unmarried couples buying homes together is increasing, according to a survey by the Mortgage Bankers Assn. of America.

The survey of 18 lenders, released at the mortgage bankers annual convention last week, found 89% of lenders reporting more unmarried couples buying homes this year compared with five years ago.

But the survey did not provide figures and failed to specify by how much the numbers had increased.

Women acting as the sole or primary borrower also account for a growing portion of new home mortgages this year, accounting for 15% of all mortgages, according to the survey.

Half of the respondents said first-time borrowers are older this year than they have been in previous years, with ages ranging from 25 to 33.