We’re absolutely delighted to have been part of this heartwarming sale — and deeply grateful to Live Near Friends for helping these best friends find the perfect homes close to one another. It’s inspiring to see how friendship, creativity, and community spirit can come together to make homeownership possible in today’s challenging market.

As NPR reports in its recent feature, longtime friends Hayley Currier and Tammy Kremer decided to take a leap together — not just as roommates, but as co-buyers. After sharing a rental home in Berkeley, California, they realized how naturally they lived together and began searching for something more permanent. Their dream? A duplex or two homes on the same lot — spaces where they could stay close while still having privacy.

Their journey reflects a growing national trend. According to housing data cited by NPR, about 15% of homebuyers in 2024 purchased property with a friend or relative. With home prices up more than 50% since 2020, co-buying has become a powerful way to pool resources. As Redfin chief economist Daryl Fairweather notes, “More buyers are teaming up to afford a home — because affordability keeps getting worse.”

Experts like Kara Ng from Zillow explain that today’s median earner would need a $17,000 raise just to afford a typical home, and in California, the gap can reach six figures. For single buyers like Currier and Kremer, that challenge is even steeper — a concept Ng calls the “couple’s advantage,” since partnered buyers can afford nearly four times as many listings as individuals. Co-buying helps level that playing field.

But this new model isn’t without hurdles. Older generations, like Currier’s mother, Sari, initially worry about the risks — from dividing property taxes to handling repairs or potential resale. Housing experts urge co-buyers to put clear legal agreements in writing, outlining how costs, ownership, and future decisions will be shared.

Beyond finances, though, co-buying is about connection and companionship. For Kremer, it’s also about never having to come home to an empty space again. While their first offer fell through, Currier and Kremer’s second was accepted — two cozy units on one lot with a shared yard. Now, they’re turning their vision into reality — tin-can phones and all — proving that home is truly where your friends are.