<prompt> Human: Hello All, I got a call today from my mom asking if I would cosign a mortgage for a house back east because my income is higher I dont know what that means exactly for the mortgage. Ive been told I wouldnt be financially responsible but im still curious about what risks might be involved with this. Im not concerned about my Mom taking advantage or putting me in a bad situation Id like like any information since I have no experience with mortgages. EDIT: Sorry adding more information that I should have added before. This is a two family house that will be rented out and the money will be put back into the mortgage. EDIT part deux: This would be an investment property and my name would be on for tax benefits. But like many have mentioned having my name on this mortgage would greatly complicate matters when I go for my own mortgage. Ill be speaking to an accountant to work out details but since I will probably be in the market to buy in 7-10 years this is something that needs a great deal of focus on. Thanks for the inputs! Assistant: The bank told your mom: No, you cannot afford that house. Find something cheaper.Your mom told the bank: My son will buy it with me by cosigning, so whenever I dont have enough money for a payment, hell just pay it for me.Unfortunately the bank is probably right. There will come a time when your mom just doesnt have enough money to pay the mortgage that month, and then you need to cough up 1500 or whatever it is.Heres the best case scenario: Your mom magically grows richer and never misses a single payment. But 10 years from now when you want to buy a house for your wife and kids, the bank will tell you Nope. You already have a house and you cant afford two houses.Human: Yeah its a two family home so the idea was renting it out and investing the profit from the monthly rent back into it  <response>: Thats great, but what if it takes her a few months to get renters in? Whos going to pay the mortgage during that time? If the renters trash the place, does she have the cash to get it cleaned up? If they stop paying rent, does she have the cash to sue them? Theres a reason the bank doesnt think this is going to turn out well. 