Your first step is to get with your bank and get a pre-approval letter. That will give you an idea of what loan you can get approved for. This forms the basis of a lot of discussions with your partner. Use this number wisely...it can be significantly higher than what you can realistically afford. Next, engage a realtor and get a pulse on the local market you are looking at. A lot of things about home buying can have major implications on your financial life. Having these two things can be a significant eye opener when talking to your partner about the way forward.