Scottish first time buyers believe buying a house together shows greater commitment to your partner than marriage

There were stark differences in attitudes across the UK and research revealed that Scots are still committed when it comes to marriage, with only 35 per cent prioritising buying a property over their special day.

Almost a quarter of Scottish couples (23 per cent) choose to walk down the aisle before securing the keys to their first home.

Whilst high house prices may play their part in this decision, 57 per cent of couples in Scotland said that, if money was no object, they would still choose to buy a property first.

The need to choose between marriage and property is not just a difficult decision, the research shows it can have a real impact on a young couple’s living arrangements. 35 per cent of couples in Scotland have been forced to live with either their parents or in-laws as they save for a house deposit, with 11 per cent admitting that the need to choose between marriage and the property ladder has caused an argument in their relationship.

Hannah Bernard, head of mortgages at Barclays, said: “With house prices at an all-time high, it’s no surprise that young couples see a joint mortgage as the ultimate act of modern-day commitment. Buying your first home is a big step in any relationship and we understand that the journey starts long before you apply for a mortgage.

“From the moment you start saving to the first day’s house hunting, we want to help people stay in control of their money – whether through our competitive Help to Buy ISA or our innovative Family Springboard mortgage – so that young couples no longer have to choose between marriage and their dream home”.

Before making such a strong commitment as getting a mortgage for your first home, it’s crucial that couples understand how their partner thinks and behaves when it comes to money. Relationship expert Corinne Sweet has partnered with Barclays Mortgages to create top tips and tricks to help young couples financially prepare for the journey to owning their first home.

Corinne Sweet, relationship expert, said: “Living together as a couple is a huge commitment. In past generations, when property prices were more affordable, couples tended to only make such a step when they’d legally committed to one another through marriage. Whilst it’s fantastic to see that today’s young couples appreciate the significance of such a decision, it’s important to really get to know each other’s finances before taking the plunge.

“Getting a mortgage should be the easy part - with money still seen as a taboo subject, many couples often struggle to open up to their partner about their finances. However hard it might be at first, when planning your life with a new partner, it is essential to have an open conversation about your finances and what money means to you both.”