Gen Z Single Women Lead in Homebuying

Recent data shows single women of Generation Z are purchasing homes more than their male peers. According to the National Association of Realtors (NAR), 35% of homebuyers in their generation were single women, while single men made up 18%. The survey covered homebuyers from Gen Z, aged 18-26, to the Silent Generation, aged 80-100, and included all homebuyers from July 2024 to June 2025. Despite these figures, Gen Z only accounted for 4% of all homebuyers during the period.

The share of first-time buyers across all generations fell to its lowest record since 1981. These buyers, lacking equity from prior homes, often struggle with down payments. An example is Bri LaFluer, who bought a house at 24 after saving rigorously while managing two jobs and benefiting from a slowing housing market. Her home, in Baldwinsville, N.Y., cost $175,000.

LaFluer describes herself as independent, seeking her own space for peace and quiet. She faced challenges in a competitive market, driven by low mortgage rates that surged prices. After a two-year search, she found a home built in 1900 with three bedrooms and 1.5 baths.

I feel like it was meant to be.

Living with her mother and paying minimal rent allowed LaFluer to save $20,000 for a down payment. NAR data indicates this trend is ongoing, with single women historically outpacing single men in homeownership.

Women hold 25% of homebuyer share across generations, compared to 11% for men. This disparity dates back to 1981. Women’s participation peaked in 2006 at 22%, with men’s share peaking in 2010 at 12%.

Jessica Lautz, NAR’s deputy chief economist, noted that education and a strong desire for independence contribute to this trend. Women’s ability to secure mortgages independently began in the 1970s, and they have actively pursued homeownership since.

Gen Z faces hurdles, including early career stages, potential student loan debt, and a median income of $76,000, the lowest among generations. Rising home prices exacerbate affordability issues, with the U.S. median home price at $417,700, a slight increase from last year.

Many Gen Z homebuyers receive financial support from family or seek community grants and assistance programs. About 10% use 401(k) savings for their down payment, as reported by NAR.

Mariah Berry, another young homebuyer, prioritized saving over socializing. This allowed her to purchase a two-bedroom home in Charleston, Tennessee, at age 23.

I did not go out and was driving an old beat-up car.

Berry’s $218,000 home purchase with a $7,000 down payment was financed with a 30-year 6% interest mortgage. She considers further investment in buying the duplex’s other unit for rental purposes.

That could be a good opportunity for us.