More women are buying their homes, achieving their dreams of independence and investment opportunities … and helping new generations achieve property ownership.
In a departure from tradition, the long-held notion of women as solely homemakers is being turned on its head as the number of women homebuyers has surged in recent years. Traditionally, the narrative surrounding homebuyers has revolved around married couples or single men, leaving women’s purchasing influence primarily overlooked and undervalued. But today’s data paints a different picture, with single women being surpassed only by married couples as the leading purchasers of homes. In 2024, single females are taking control and realizing their dreams of homeownership.
Historically, women have faced difficulty acquiring their own homes for numerous reasons. Until 1974, the primary reason was rooted in federal regulations that precluded women from obtaining a mortgage without a male co-signer. With the passage of the Fair Housing Act, prohibitions were made against sexual discrimination in housing-related transactions, which previously prevented women from owning homes independently. After this shift, the demographic of homebuyers started favoring single women, and this trend persists today.
“In 1981, 73 percent of homebuyers were married couples, 11 percent were single women, and 10 percent were single men. Today, those shares stand at 59 percent married couples, 19 percent single women, and 10 percent single men,” said Jessica Lautz, Deputy Chief Economist at the Nation Association of REALTORS® (NAR).
The rise in single women buyers stems not only from policy changes but also from a decline in the number of Americans who are married and a boost in female financial independence. As fewer people are getting married, fewer couples exist to buy homes together. Women can also attain well-paying jobs, giving them financial freedom and the ability to depend on their income to purchase a home. Today, 29 percent of all households in the U.S. are classified as one-person, primarily female.
Despite advancements over time, challenges remain for single female homebuyers in today’s market, including a lower average income compared to men and the need to overcome gender biases that still exist. However, single women continue to defy stereotypes and achieve their homeownership dreams with determination, resilience, and support from understanding real estate professionals.
The rise of single female homebuyers marks a shift in real estate dynamics. As more women embrace homeownership as a symbol of independence and investment opportunities, the housing market landscape will continually evolve to reflect the needs and aspirations of modern society. The trend of female homeownership empowers women, enriches communities, and strengthens the possibilities of property ownership for generations to come.
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