Los Angeles. My girlfriend [34F] of three years and I had just started looking at apartments when my parents surprised me: instead of waiting to pass down my inheritance, they’re giving me a lump sum to buy a place outright (likely a condo). The home would be in my name only, since my parents won’t take ownership and my girlfriend can’t contribute significantly to the purchase.
I want her involved in the search even though the property will technically be mine. My thinking is she wouldn’t pay rent but we'd split utilities equally.
Are there pitfalls I'm not seeing? She’d be giving up her studio, so if things went south she’d need to find a new rental—but this will also be significantly cheaper for her than renting.
I haven't broken the news yet and I want to know exactly what I'm going to say going in.
TL;DR: I'm getting money from my parents to buy a place outright for my girlfriend and I to live in. Should I delay the purchase a year and rent with her instead?