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yriel Von Schert, a 30-year-old real-estate agent, recently purchased a $365,000 townhouse in Mesa, Arizona, all on her own. This isn't an isolated case; according to the National Association of Realtors (NAR), single female buyers made up 20% of all homebuyers between July 2023 and June 2024, significantly outnumbering single male buyers at 8%. Von Schert's decision to buy a home without a cosigner or spouse was driven by her desire to build equity and create long-term wealth. She believes that homeownership is one of the best ways to achieve this goal, with the potential to gain at least 3% equity each year.

    Von Schert had previously thought buying a home was impossible as a millennial, but she's now helping other single women buy their own homes. She thinks many women share her mindset: "Why wait for someone else to help you achieve your goals?" Von Schert didn't need a partner to make it happen; she had a stable income between $50,000 and $80,000 per year, was saving up for a home purchase, and put commission checks directly into savings.

    When purchasing her townhouse, Von Schert opted for a conventional loan with a 6.125% interest rate, which she plans to refinance as soon as rates drop. She negotiated with the seller to cover closing costs and repairs, and applied her commission earnings towards her down payment and closing costs. With an HOA fee, home insurance, and mortgage combined, Von Schert pays around $2,800 per month for her home.

    Von Schert's long-term goal is to build a real-estate portfolio and earn residual income. She encourages others who are thinking of buying a home to talk to a lender, who can break down the process and create a game plan. As a real-estate agent, Von Schert now better relates to her first-time buyer clients, having gone through the same experience herself.