Fun fact: Last year, single women represented a greater share of homebuyers than single men. We wanted to learn more about what's driving this trend so we asked women in the BuzzFeed Community to tell us about their experience buying a home solo.
1. You don't have to wait for someone else to come along.
"I bought my first home two years ago when I was 26. Once I was preapproved, it was so easy and FUN to look at houses! Now, I've got a place that's all mine, and I can do anything I want when I’m home. Here's what I say: Don’t wait for a guy to come along — just buy yourself a dang house!"
2. Do it by yourself and for your pets.
"I purchased my first home at 28 and recently sold it for profit and purchased a bigger home at 32. I was able to upgrade from a one-bedroom to a three-bedroom for me and my dang self. And my three cats, of course."
3. 'Cause you can make it YOURS.
"I purchased my own home because I can and because I knew no one else was going to do it for me. After closing, I helped with the design process, too, so my home is specifically tailored to what I like. It was the best decision I have ever made in my life and has empowered me so much as a woman."
4. A house is a gift to yourself, from yourself.
"I bought my first home all by myself after a canceled wedding. It was the best thing I ever did for myself! A fresh start in a new and busy town, a home I bought for myself, by myself. My name's the only one on the mortgage, and it feels so good — like a gift to myself."
5. Or, sometimes, a gift to your pet.
"I bought my first home this year. I'm a single lady with no kids in my mid-thirties. I kept saying I wanted to wait until I had a partner to buy one with, but that all changed when I got a dog! I wanted him to have his own space to run around and live his best life. So, yeah...I guess I bought a home for my dog. But I live there, too!"
6. You'll discover new sides of yourself.
"I’m a 36-year-old single mom of three. I was tired of living in an apartment and feeling like I wasn’t giving my boys everything I had as a kid — a yard to play in, neighborhood kids to run around with. I had a lot of negative reactions from family at first: 'What will you do if something breaks?' and 'You know you have to do yard work, right?' But you know what? I discovered I LOVE doing yard work!"
7. Finding the right house can help you find your happiness.
"I was raised by a single mother who always taught me that you shouldn't depend on someone else for your happiness and that having your own home was so important. I had just gotten out of a long-term relationship and was newly single, so I decided to begin the house-hunting process. I ended up finding a perfect place with a yard just outside Baltimore and took the plunge! I closed just two weeks before my 28th birthday."
8. And remember: It's an achievement!
"I bought my house a little over two years ago, when I was 26. I literally cried when my lender called me to let me know I was preapproved. My lender and real estate agent were amazing! They walked me through every single step. I feel so proud that I was able to buy my own home at a young age! #Independent"
9. A new house is made for new beginnings.
"I bought my home when I was just 19. Newly single, in a new town, starting a new career, I decided this was the time for new beginnings. The process was long, but walking through that door on closing day was the most incredible feeling of accomplishment in the world. And now, almost two years later, I've realized it's been the greatest decision and one of the most empowering things I've ever done."
10. Seriously: You don't need a man to make it happen.
"I bought my house after my divorce as a fresh start and a way to prove to myself (and the world!) that I didn’t need a man to achieve financial milestones. My advice would be to buy below your means so that you can start on upgrades much sooner. Make the place your own and have fun with it!"
11. Your dream home is where your heart is.
"I come from a small town in Texas. For college, I'd moved to a larger suburb in the Houston area. After graduating, I was offered a job in the area, but I was just not happy. I missed Central Texas dearly. I finally ended up getting an opportunity to move back and decided that I wanted to buy a house and settle for good. I knew I loved the area and wanted to call it my home. Now, I do."
Design by Dan Blaushild / BuzzFeed
With a little perseverance and some help from Rocket Mortgage®, you can make your home-owning dreams a reality.
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