NEWS

Single women see homeownership as 'a wealth-building tool,' economist says, but buying remains a challenge

For years, single men who were first-time homebuyers had higher annual income than their female counterparts, according to the National Association of Realtors.

By CNBC

• March 25, 2026 at 6:53 PM

Single women see homeownership as 'a wealth-building tool,' economist says, but buying remains a challenge Photo: CNBC

While it's uncertain whether the flip is the start of a new trend, this is the first time the organization has found that the income disparity favors women, said Jessica Lautz, deputy chief economist and vice president of research for NAR.

Women still lag behind men when it comes to pay
Nevertheless, men still out-earn women overall, according to the Pew Research Center .

In 2024, women earned an average of 85% of what men earned, according to the organization.

In 2003, that figure was 81%, and in 1982, it was 65%.

Before that, women generally struggled to get a mortgage.

While the 1968 Fair Housing Act addressed housing discrimination, it wasn't until the Equal Credit Opportunity Act of 1974 that women could reliably qualify for mortgages on their own.

"What I see is women are not waiting to either get married or find a life partner before moving forward and accomplishing their financial goals ," said certified financial planner Nicole Romito, a partner at Private Vista in Chicago who specializes in single women going through life transitions, including divorce or the death of a spouse or partner.

Saving for a down payment can mean making sacrifices