Did you know that it wasn't until 1974 that single women were able to legally purchase a home without a cosigner? It was a change that came with the passing of the Equal Credit Opportunity Act and was just one of many steps taken toward achieving equity in the housing industry.
Just a few decades ago, financial independence for women was far from guaranteed. Today, single women are making history in real estate, outpacing single men as homebuyers. According to a recent report from the National Association of REALTORS®, single women made up between 17% and 20% of all homebuyers from 2016 to 2024. Comparatively, the share of single men wavered between 7% and 9%.
Single women's homeownership matters because buying a home isn't just a transaction — it's the milestone of a lifetime and a step towards financial stability and building generational wealth. In celebration of Women's History Month, let's take a look at the history of women's property rights.
Women's Homeownership Before 1974
In the early days of the American colonies, the English system of property ownership was adopted, wherein married women could not own property in their own name or keep their own earnings. It wasn't until 1839 that married women began to gain limited property rights — Mississippi became the first state to allow women to hold property in their own name with permission from their husbands.
By 1900, women gained property rights in every state following legislation modeled after New York's Married Women's Property Act. This allowed married women to both keep their wages and own property in their name.
The First Women's Strike for Equality and Equal Credit Opportunity Act
On August 26, 1970, on the fifteenth anniversary of the Nineteenth Amendment, an estimated 50,000 women took to the streets in New York City to demand equal rights. At the time, women in many states did not have access to equal pay, higher education and property rights without a husband. Many women could also not own credit cards, make wills or serve on juries.
After many more years of tireless work by activists and legislators, the 1974 Equal Credit Opportunity Act finally made it illegal to discriminate based on gender or marital status, finally paving the way for single women to become homeowners on their own terms.
What's Next for Women in Real Estate?
Despite their success in the housing market, single women still face unique challenges. As more women achieve financial independence, however, their presence in the housing market will only continue to grow. Programs designed to support first-time buyers, including down payment assistance and lower-interest mortgage options, can further bridge the gap and help even more women achieve their homeownership dreams.
As we celebrate Women's History Month, it's worth recognizing how far women have come in the housing market — and how they continue to shape its future. Owning a home is more than just an investment. For many women, it's a symbol of resilience and success.
Thinking about buying a home? Whether you're a first-time buyer or looking to make a move, homeownership is within reach. Reach out to one of our real estate agents to get started.
