Move over, couples. Single females now comprise 19% of buyers, according to data from the National Association of Realtors. That is up from 18% in 2020 and 15% in 2015. Single males, for their part, represent another 9% of the market.

“I didn’t imagine I would be buying a house by myself,” Crane says. “But now I’m glad I have one, because I can work from home, enjoy my backyard, build equity, and do whatever I wish.”

Indeed, when Bank of America recently surveyed potential homeowners, the findings were unmistakable. Singles have very little interest in putting off homebuying decisions.

“Two-thirds of single women would rather not wait until marriage to buy a home,” says Kathy Cummings, Bank of America’s senior vice president for affordable housing programs.