Should Your Parents Co-Sign? The Real Risks and Rewards for First-Time Buyers

Mortgage Research Network Podcast · Nov 28, 2025 · 3m

Co-signing is becoming a lifeline for many millennials and Gen Z buyers—but it’s also surrounded by myths and hesitation. Tim Lucas and Craig Berry break down how co-signing actually works, what it does (and doesn’t) do to credit, and how families can structure it safely.In this episode you’ll learn:What co-signing really is: Only the mortgage account appears on the co-signer’s credit—everything else stays separate.DTI myth-busting: After 12 months of on-time payments from the buyer’s account, the mortgage may no longer count against the co-signer’s DTI.Ownership clarity: Title = ownership. A…