04/22/2025
She Came, She Saw, She Closed: The Generational Trends of Single Female Home Buying
April 16, 2025Working With Single Home BuyersBy: Amethyst Marroquin
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This year’s NAR Home Buyers and Sellers Generational Trends Report revealed some fascinating stats: Generation Z, though only 3% of the market, boasted the highest share of single-female homebuyers at 30%. Among Younger Millennial buyers, 15% were single females, while 18% of Older Millennial buyers were single females. In the Gen X category, 18% of buyers were single females. The trend continues with Boomers, where 20% of Younger Boomers and 27% of Older Boomers were single females. Even the Silent Generation had a strong showing, with 25% of their buyers being single women. These numbers highlight the diverse age range of single female homebuyers and the need to cater to their unique preferences and needs in the housing market.
Bar graph: Single Female Home Buyers by Generation
Table: Type of Home Purchased by Single Female Home Buyers
There is an interesting trend among single female home buyers across different generations: Both younger and older single female buyers tended to prefer smaller homes, such as townhouses, apartments, and condos. These types of homes are often more affordable than single-family houses, making them attractive to younger buyers like Gen Z, who are early in their careers and may have limited financial resources. Twenty-three percent of Gen Z single female home buyers purchased a townhouse/row house, and 20% bought a condo. There is a similar trend observed in Older Boomers and the Silent Generation. Thirty-four percent of Older Boomer single female home buyers and 35% of silent generation single female home buyers opted for purchasing these smaller living arrangements. This could be because they are looking to downsize their living arrangements; taking into consideration financial considerations due to retirement; and the safety and security this type of living can provide.
Table: Sources of Down Payment of Single Female Buyers
One of the most remarkable things this data showed was the variety of ways single female buyers came up with their down payments. It's a testament to their financial savvy and resourcefulness. Whether through personal savings, assistance from family, or other creative financing strategies, these women are finding ways to secure homeownership. When looking at single female home buyers' sources of down payments, we are looking at a tale of two cities. Older buyers, such as Gen Xers and Boomers, who have been in the market a bit longer, are more inclined to use the proceeds from the sale of their primary residence. Younger buyers, namely millennials, are likelier to utilize money from their savings and gifts from their relatives or friends. Forty-three percent of Younger Millennials shared that they had used a gift from a relative or friend to contribute to their down payment.
In conclusion, this year's NAR Home Buyers and Sellers Generational Trends Report provides insightful data on single female home buyers' significant presence and diverse preferences across generations. From Generation Z to the Silent Generation, single women actively participate in the housing market, with a noticeable trend toward smaller, more affordable homes like townhouses, apartments, and condos. This choice reflects various factors, including financial considerations for younger buyers and the desire to downsize for older generations. Additionally, the variety of strategies these women employ to secure their down payments underscores their financial acumen and resourcefulness. These findings emphasize the importance of the housing market recognizing and catering to single female home buyers' unique needs and preferences, ensuring they have the support and options necessary to achieve homeownership.
Amethyst Marroquin
Amethyst Marroquin is a Research Assistant of Member and Consumer Survey Research for the National Association of REALTORS®.
Content by Amethyst Marroquin
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