Can a husband and wife have their own home loans out at once?

[Valerie King]

My boyfriend and I both still live at home with our families. Our plan is to each take out our own loans on multifamily homes, which we will house hack. So he will have his and I will have mine for at least a year to satisfy the occupancy requirements. That way we'll benefit from the perks of homeowner loans on our first homes/investments as opposed to buying a single family home together first and then having to invest in buy and holds the investor way and put more money down/have a harder time getting approved.

The question is: Can/should we make these purchases and take out these loans in our own separate names before we get married, or can it be done after we get married as well? 

If it can be done after we get married, one of us might buy a multifamily in one of our names pre-marriage. Then once a year has gone by, we would probably get married, look for the second property, and move into it together, with the other one of us taking out the homeowner loan on it. 

[Steve Vaughan]

My wife and I always take out individual loans when we buy property.  No reason to burden both of our available credit amount or number of loans.  We live in a community property state.  Having to quitclaim to the other is a little weird at closing, but we are solid in our relationship and legally protected.

If you aren't in a community property state (after you're married), a community property agreement or similar may be necessary.  See an attorney if needed.

You are smart to not buy together with a partner you're not married to @Valerie King.  Nobody expects it not to work out going in, but if it doesn't, you have to try and dissolve real property with an  ex-roommate (in the eyes of the law).  Yuckers!