Considering buying a home before getting married, will rates go up and is it financially a better option to buy first?

You want to talk to your tax person on tax implications of a mortgage loan. At the least, talk to a Local Lender right now even if you are considering purchasing after you get married. When you get married, you will likely be receiving a lot of cash gifts that you will need to manage in the loan qualification process and need to source - A lender can give you great direction on this. Also, you may choose to get better terms by using some of this money for down payment. Best of luck to you.

Buy now. The same tax deductions for interest and property taxes apply whether filing married or single. There is a very slight benefit, percentage wise, for single tax filers.

I recommend buying as soon as you are ready. It is likely that mortgage rates and house prices will be higher the longer you wait so why put it off - unless there are other reasons to do so. If you wish, you and your fiance can both be on the mortgage prior to getting married.

There really isn't a positive or negative to buying now or waiting from a marriage standpoint. But rates... We know they are near historic lows today... We know there is little room for downward gain... We know there is a lot of room for rates to move up... I'd suggest buying more sooner than later.