T
ucked into her cozy Beaverdale bungalow, Hannah Garrison is a proud homeowner. \"There is a sense of security in knowing this is my space I've carved out in the world,\" she said.

    Her home is filled with a unique collection of art, thrift furniture pieces, a Facebook Marketplace piano, and most importantly, her dog, two cats, and five chickens. Gathering eggs for breakfast each morning is a simple task, but the journey to homeownership was not without its challenges.

    \"I was nervous and scared, and I didn't believe I was ready to buy a home,\" Garrison shared. \"This is one of the biggest purchases I might ever make.\"

    Garrison is part of a growing trend among single Americans making the leap into homeownership, with single women owning roughly 10.7 million homes compared to 8.1 million for single men, according to a recent analysis from LendingTree based on 2021 Census data.

    Longtime Iowa realtor Sara Hopkins noticed this trend in central Iowa. \"The reality is, many women don't necessarily have a support system around them,\" Hopkins said.

    Garrison found the support she needed when she sought Hopkins' help in navigating the home-buying process. \"I was never going to make a move on a house unless I was 100% confident I met every requirement,\" Garrison said.

    What started as a casual coffee date to discuss real estate turned into something more significant for both of them. Garrison inspired Hopkins to create a program called Home Ownership for Women (H.O.W.), designed to empower women through education about the entire home-buying process.

    \"We want to equip women with all the tools they need to feel confident in their ability to buy a home,\" Hopkins said.

    The four-week course covers various topics, from finances to how to avoid purchasing a money pit. Each topic is led by a local expert in their respective field. H.O.W. is a free course open to all women. Participants are asked to commit to attending all four sessions.

    The fall course begins on Sept. 12, and another will be offered in the spring for those who miss the initial offering. \"If there are women out there who believe they cannot buy a house on their own, they should challenge that belief system because it is flawed,\" Garrison emphasized.

    For more information, visit sarahopkinsrealtor.com. Download the free KCCI app for updates on the go: Apple | Google PlayGet the latest headlines from KCCI