Who’s buying houses? All the single ladies

Single female buyers on the rise

Single women have been a growing section of home buyers for the last few years. But just how much of today’s home sales do they account for and what kind of cash do they bring to the table? A new analysis reveals it all.

Home buying while single

According to recent data from the National Association of Realtors, single female home buyers now account for nearly a fifth of all home sales — outnumbering their single male counterparts two to one.

Across 2018, single women have made up 18 percent of all home buyers. Single males made up just 9 percent of sales, while married couples accounted for 63 percent.

For Millennials, homeownership is more important than marriage, kids

The big difference in these buyers comes down to budget. Single female buyers have had the lowest median home price in the last year at $189,000. Single males had a median budget of $215,000. The median purchase price across all home buying groups was $250K.

Millennials aren’t waiting for marriage to buy a home — at least not in these cities

More about today’s home buyers

The NAR report also shed light on other home buying trends. The number of first-time buyers is declining (it dropped by 1 percent over 2017), and the median down payment is rising. Buyers paid a median 13 percent down payment across all groups — up from 10 percent last year.

Most people — nearly 60 percent — are getting these funds from savings. Others are using proceeds from a previous sale or using a gift from friends or relatives.

Pets are continuing to play a role in what homes Americans buy. A full 15 percent saying convenience to vets and outdoor space were important in their home buying decision. With married couples, the shared jumps to 20 percent.

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Looking to buy a house yourself? Make sure to shop around and get pre-approved for a mortgage loan first.