• Karla Cobreiro, 33, lived with her parents for nearly 10 years to save up enough to buy a home.
• In 2022, she bought her first home in South Florida without the help of a partner or spouse.
• Cobreiro said solo homeownership can be challenging, but she likes not having to compromise.

This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Karla Cobreiro, a 33-year-old vice president at global PR firm Quinn who purchased a home on her own in 2022.

The National Association of Realtors found that from July 2023 to June 2024, single female buyers made up 20% of all homebuyers, outpacing single male buyers, who made up only 8%.

The interview has been edited for length and clarity.

I'm originally from Cuba. My parents moved to the US when I was four, and I grew up in Miami.

I left at 18 for college, then moved back home after graduation to save money for my future. I'm grateful for that time, and I know many would love the chance to do the same.

Still, I didn't want to live with my parents forever.

Living at home meant sacrificing some privacy. There was commentary about what I was doing, why I was doing it, and how. It wasn't ill-intended, but it could feel like a lot at times.

By my 30s, the decision to move out really came to a head. I asked myself: "Does it make sense to keep living at home to save money, or should I take the leap and buy my own place?"

In the end, I decided to buy a home. I'd never truly lived alone, and I wanted my own space and control over my future. Most importantly, I was ready to start a new chapter.

I didn't have a partner then, but I didn't think that should stop me. So I went for it.

I was financially prepared to buy a home alone

For many immigrants, homeownership is a big part of the American dream. It was never a question of whether I would own a home, but when.

Knowing I'd be doing it all on my own, I approached homeownership with a methodical mindset.

I didn't want to be house-poor or struggle financially. I waited for the right moment — when I had a higher-paying job, had saved up a large down payment, and had built a solid emergency fund.

I lived with my parents for almost 10 years after college to save and set myself up for the expenses of homeownership: a down payment, mortgage, HOA fees, utilities, and insurance.

In November 2022, at 31, I bought a 900-square-foot condo in Downtown Doral, a suburb of Miami, for about $400,000.

Sometimes, I wish I hadn't overthought it or waited so long.

House hunting was a challenging experience

My homebuying journey started during the COVID-19 pandemic, when home prices and mortgage rates were much higher than before. By 2022, the South Florida real-estate market was incredibly hot.

Although I was financially ready, it was a tough time to be a buyer.

I found myself in bidding wars for homes, often walking away because properties were selling for $30,000 or more over the asking price, especially with so many cash offers.

I cried more about real estate than anything else. My twin sister, a real-estate attorney, helped me navigate the process. I would call her, frustrated, asking, "What's going on? This is insane! I didn't realize buying a house would be this hard."

I felt I had done everything right: I graduated from college, got a job, earned a master's degree, paid off my student loans and car, and saved 25% for a down payment. I had an 800 credit score and liquid assets — all on my own, without help from my parents.

I had checked the boxes and followed the appropriate steps in life. But despite all of that, I was met with rejection after rejection from sellers.

For a while, I couldn't see the light at the end of the tunnel and thought I would be stuck in my parents' house forever. But after a year of searching, my offer was finally accepted on the third home I bid on.

My condo is an investment in my future

I live in a one-bedroom, one-bathroom condo with a den, and my HOA fees are about $1,000 a month.

I have a 30-year mortgage with an interest rate of around 5%, and my mortgage payment is about $2,500.

The unit is smaller than if I were a DINK — someone in a dual-income household with no kids — but I think it's the perfect size for me.

The condo has a work-from-home space and enough room to entertain, plus a stunning, unobstructed sunset view.

I renovated everything except the floors, so I now have a brand-new bathroom and kitchen. My dad, who works in construction, helped with the renovations (and is always on speed dial for anything I can't handle myself).

I'm not sure how long I'll stay here, but I hope it's for a while. Maybe one day, I'll find a partner, and we'll buy a home together, and turn this place into an investment property.

I specifically wanted to live in a condo because didn't want to deal with yard work and, as a single woman, I felt it would be safer.

My building has concierge services, security, and a gated garage. The ground floor also has shops, cafés, gyms, and other stores.

When I lived with my parents, I was in a very suburban, family-oriented area where I had to drive everywhere — even just to get to the supermarket. There were no cafés or anything nearby. It wasn't the lifestyle I wanted.

Now, my place is very central, with easy highway access to anywhere I need to go in about 10 minutes. The neighborhood has a downtown vibe, is walkable, and offers plenty to do.

Buying a home alone was the right decision

Owning a home as a single woman is like a roller coaster — there are ups and downs.

Though I live comfortably, If I get laid off, break a leg, or face an emergency, I'm on my own. I always joke to my friends, "It's just me and this mortgage."

Still, I'm glad I didn't wait until I was in a relationship or married to buy a home. Owning a home with someone you're not committed to can get tricky, especially if you break up. There's no prenup and if you disagree about selling, that can get messy.

I enjoy owning alone because I can selfishly make decisions without having to compromise. I get to decorate my home however I like —and have the entire closet to myself.

Looking back, it was the right time for my parents and me to branch off and live our lives — me as a single woman in my 30s, and my parents as empty nesters.

We all have different paces and lifestyles now, but occasionally, I do miss living with them. It was nice hanging out, having my laundry done, or enjoying one of their home-cooked meals.

I love them to pieces, and I'm truly grateful for their support and encouragement.

• Jessica Chestler, 33, wanted to buy a home and was financially able to do so without a spouse.
• In 2022, she bought a three-bedroom home in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, for $3.25 million, entirely on her own.
• Chestler said that making all the decisions for her home herself is a double-edged sword.

This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Jessica Chestler, a 33-year-old real-estate agent with Douglas Elliman, who purchased a home without a cosigner or spouse.

New data from the National Association of Realtors shows that from July 2023 to June 2024, single female buyers made up 20% of all homebuyers, significantly outnumbering single male buyers, who accounted for just 8%.

The interview has been edited for length and clarity.

During my 20s, my love life wasn't a priority. I was focused on building a foundation for my future.

I've been in the real-estate industry since I was 21 years old. It's been a 24/7 job, and I've worked incredibly hard to get where I am today.

I co-own a business with my partner, and we manage a real-estate team that operates between New York and Florida, though I primarily work out of New York.

While we handle transactions across various price points, our team specializes in high-end luxury properties, and we sell anywhere from $150 million to $300 million a year.

New York is one of the most expensive places in the country to buy a home.

People want to live here for many reasons, especially for the lifestyle it offers. It's one of the few places in the world where you can catch a Broadway show, sit at Michelin-star restaurants, or visit a local bodega — all while connecting with people from every background at any time of day.

Affording homeownership here has become increasingly difficult.

I've always recognized New York's value, so early on, I set a goal to buy a home here as soon as possible. I'm fortunate to have made that happen on my own.

I was in the financial position to buy on my own

In 2022, as a single woman, I purchased a three-bedroom condo in Williamsburg for $3.25 million with a 30% down payment. My home has 1,700 square feet of interior space and an additional 1,000 square feet of exterior space.

I saw the purchase as an opportunity to secure a valuable property at a price below its true market value.

Back then, interest rates were very low, and the real-estate market was booming — a very different world. I got a 10-year mortgage at a 2% interest rate, with a monthly payment of about $4,000.

Although I've always worked on commission and never had a traditional salary, I felt comfortable buying at that price. I knew my monthly costs, and I understood my financial situation.

The building I live in is by the waterfront and has a doorman, a variety of amenities, and relatively low monthly maintenance fees.

Most importantly, it has a tax abatement for another 15 years, so I pay just $9 in taxes each month. For most apartments of my size, the taxes are usually much higher — like a four-figure number.

I wanted to live in a place that could accommodate my future family and also serve as a solid investment. I'm confident that if I ever decide to rent or sell my condo, it will offer a strong return.

The value of Williamsburg has gone up exponentially in recent years.

It used to be more of an industrial neighborhood, but it has since been gentrified — for better or worse. Still, home prices in the area are slightly lower than in other parts of Brooklyn and Manhattan.

People like living in Williamsburg because there's a lot of opportunity. It's a bit calmer than Manhattan; you're close to the airports, and there are amazing parks, restaurants, and shops. It also is a large community with a strong neighborhood feel.

Buying a home without a spouse has pros and cons

I worked with a designer from London to completely gut and renovate my condo.

I don't want to share exactly how much I spent, but I worked with an Architectural Digest-level designer and architect, and it took about 18 months to finish.

Not a single thing from the original apartment remains. I updated both the indoor and outdoor spaces and added new floors throughout the home. I also added new bathrooms, updated closets, installed radiant heat, and replaced the AC unit's coverings.

I'm very happy with the results. I designed it with the vision of having a family in the future while also building it out to be my dream home.

I do receive a lot of offers from people who want to buy it in the mail, but unless someone is willing to pay an astronomical price, there's no reason for me to move. Like I said, I bought it with the intention of living here with my future family.

I had the freedom to renovate my home however I wanted

One of the benefits of buying and renovating a home alone was that I only had to consider myself.

I didn't have to worry about anyone else's opinion. I loved the apartment, knew my numbers, and was confident I could make it work — that comfort was really important to me.

When you're buying a home with someone else, there's obviously a lot more to consider, especially if you're not married.

There's always that uncertainty: What if the person you're buying with doesn't like it or wants a different lifestyle? What if they want to live in a different neighborhood? What happens if you break up — how do you divide the assets?

There's a certain trepidation — whether you're a woman or a man — when you're single and unsure about your future, which can make people hesitant to buy a home.

Since they're uncertain how their life might change, many singles choose to rent.

The harder parts of homeownership

The biggest drawback of owning a home alone is that I'm responsible for every decision and everything that could go wrong. As someone who works 24/7, this can be difficult to handle at times.

Looking back on my renovation and now knowing how intense a complete gut job can be, it would have been nice to share the experience with someone I was excited to live with.

I truly love my home; I've built my own equity here, and it's a space I look forward to sharing with someone else someday.

The old script of what is expected of women is very different now.

Like me, many other single women are choosing to buy homes independently, and it's an incredibly empowering achievement.

For those considering buying a home, I think it's important to talk to a real-estate agent to understand the process and ensure it's the right decision for you.

At the very least, it will clarify whether it's a good fit. At best, you'll have a place to call your own.