Until 1974, it was technically legal for financial institutions to refuse loans to unmarried women or to require them to have a male co-signer. When the Equal Credit Opportunity Act was passed that year, discrimination against a loan or credit applicant for reasons related to sex, marital status or familial status (as well as race, religion and other reasons) became prohibited. 

Since then, women have made impressive progress in homeownership 

“Single women homebuyers are an integral part of the homebuying market and buyers to be celebrated,” says Dr. Jessica Lautz, deputy chief economist and vice president of research of the National Association of Realtors®. “They are purchasing on the lowest household incomes and making the most financial sacrifices to enter homeownership, which highlights just how important homeownership is to this segment.” 

In honor of Women’s History Month, here are six facts about women as homeowners. 

1. Single women homeowners outpace single men homeowners. 

In 1981, married couples made up 73% of homeowners, according to NAR. That number was down to 62% last year, per NAR’s Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers. 

Of all homeowners in 2024, 20% were single women, and 8% were single men. 

2. Single women first-time buyers also outnumber single men first-time buyers. 

In 1985, 11% of first-time buyers were single women, and 9% were single men. Last year, those numbers were 24% and 11%, respectively. 

3. Single women buyers are more likely to purchase a home to be closer to friends/family. 

In 2024, NAR reported that 16% of single women buyers purchased a home to be closer to loved ones, compared to 10% of single men buyers. Of the top four reasons for buying, this was the largest difference between the two groups. 

4. Single women buyers make less money than single men buyers. 

Last year, single women first-time buyers made an average household income of $71,300, compared to single men first-time buyers who made $87,500. 

Single women repeat buyers also made less than their single men counterparts – $75,000 compared to $91,000. 

5. Single women make more financial sacrifices to buy. 

According to NAR’s report, 44% of single women buyers made financial sacrifices to afford a home, compared to only 37% of single men. The only sacrifice women made less than men was selling their car/deciding not to purchase a car (3% of women compared to 5% of men). 

6. Still, women continue to face challenges – especially women of color. 

Although they’ve made significant progress, women still face many challenges when it comes to homebuying. Compared to men, they often own homes with lesser values. 

Additionally, single women of color buy significantly fewer homes than single white women. In 2023, the racial composition of single female homebuyers was: 

• 81% White/Caucasian 
• 7% Asian/Pacific Islander 
• 5% Black/African American 
• 4% Hispanic/Latino 
• 3% other