C
ynthia Jones, a 68-year-old retired librarian in Toledo, Ohio, has taught her daughter the value of investing in real estate as a single woman. After divorcing her husband in the 1980s because he didn't want to buy a house, Cynthia bought her first home for $28,000 and went on to purchase four more.

    Cynthia's decision to become a homeowner was driven by her desire for stability and equity-building. She notes that owning a home allows her to retain the asset while making money through improvements or investments. Her daughter, who is also single, followed in her footsteps and bought her first property at 29, without a spouse.

    The mother-daughter duo has benefited from homeownership in various ways. Cynthia's homes have appreciated in value over time, providing a safety net for retirement. Her daughter's home has also increased in value, allowing them to transition their 90-year-old mother into a more accessible living arrangement.

    Cynthia regrets selling her previous properties instead of keeping them as rentals, which would have generated rental income and helped with retirement. However, she plans to return to real estate in her "encore career" to educate women about the benefits of homeownership and investing in real property.

    As Cynthia says, "You'll always need a place to live – so why not make it something you own?" She encourages single women to build wealth through homeownership and real-estate investing, citing its long-term financial benefits.