Single Women Outbuy Men in Homeownership

Source: Realtor Mag

Single women are purchasing homes and condos at more than double the rate of single males. The trend is expected to keep growing, too.

Last year, single women comprised 18 percent of all home purchases, while single men accounted for 7 percent, according to the National Association of REALTORS®. Single women are the second largest segment of home purchasers, behind married couples. Single women purchasers include never-married individuals, widows, and divorcees.

Homebuilders are taking notice and are increasingly designing homes and subdivisions to appeal to women’s preferences. For example, in a development in North Carolina with McKee Homes, up to 50 percent of the homes purchased are by single women in their 30s, 40s, or older.

Single women tend to view homeownership more as an investment, Jessica Lautz, NAR’s director of demographic and behavioral insights, told The Washington Post. Single women tend to pay more on their home purchase than single men—$185,000 compared to $175,000.