Redfin’s chief economist finds social norms that tie homebuying to marriage are delaying women’s path to ownership and costing them years of equity.
Source: Original report
Social expectations that link buying a house to getting married are pushing many women to delay homeownership, even when they could afford to purchase alone. Redfin chief economist Daryl Fairweather’s analysis shows a persistent ownership gap between single men and women that isn’t explained solely by income differences.
What the data show
Among 25- to 34-year-olds, 31% of single men own their homes compared with 23% of single women — roughly a 30% gap. Marriage boosts the likelihood of owning a home by about 26% after accounting for combined household earnings. On average, single women become homeowners at age 34, while women who marry before buying typically buy at about 31.
How timelines have shifted
Milestones that once arrived together—marriage, parenthood and homeownership—now occur at different ages. The median age for first childbirth rose from 25 in 2008 to 30 in 2024, and the median age for when women acquire a home moved from 29 to 31. Men’s sequence has changed differently: many men now buy a home earlier than marriage and children, with the typical man becoming a homeowner at about 33.
Why single women lag behind
Income accounts for some of the ownership gap, but it doesn’t explain all of it. Even single women who earn as much as single men tend to buy later. Research points to cultural and relationship dynamics: economists at the University of Chicago find that couples are less likely to form when the woman would out-earn the man, a factor that has contributed materially to long-term changes in marriage rates. Additional research highlights that women who earn more than their partners face higher risks of abuse, which can influence financial choices.
The cost of waiting
Delaying home purchase by three years—roughly the difference between buying at 31 versus 34—can mean lost years of equity, missed price appreciation and more time paying rent without building wealth. Homeownership remains a primary source of net worth for many middle-class households, so deferring the decision can compound into substantial financial disadvantage over a lifetime.
Questions single buyers should ask
Deciding whether to buy alone should come down to personal and financial readiness rather than social expectations. Key considerations include:
- Can you stay in the home for at least five years? Transaction and selling costs typically require several years of ownership to make buying financially sensible.
- Are your finances stable enough to handle mortgage payments, taxes and maintenance without counting on a partner?
- Would owning a home ahead of a future partner create relationship friction you’re unwilling to accept? If so, that could signal a deeper incompatibility.
- Could you protect your asset with a cohabitation or property agreement if you pair up later? Legal agreements can clarify ownership and financial responsibilities.
- Do you have contingency options—renting the property, refinancing, or selling—if life circumstances change?
Bottom line
The data suggest the prevailing social script that a home should wait for marriage is costing many women years of wealth accumulation. The recommendation from the analysis is not to push everyone into buying immediately, but to make housing decisions based on individual finances and timelines rather than on whether a future spouse will approve.
Fairweather’s full analysis originally appeared in a longer piece on her Substack. Her work as Redfin’s chief economist focuses on how housing decisions intersect with broader social and economic trends.
