Single men step aside! Single women have taken the lead!

That's right I said it!...sorry I was having flashbacks and for a second I thought I was single again...

Well if you haven't been paying attention let me tell you it's true. Single women account for the fastest growing segmentof the home-buying population in the U.S. This trend has been on the rise for many years. From 1994 to 2002, the number of unmarried women owning homes climbed from 13.9 million to 17.5 million. By 2004, 18% of all homebuyers were single women. According to the latest NAR profile of homebuyers and sellers, that number has risen to 22%.

Factors leading to this increaseinclude the following demographic trends: better education, more women working and seeking financial independence, and young women delaying marriage. Also, women have significantly increased their purchasing power. They own and operate 38% of all businesses in America and make up nearly 40% of all business school graduates. More immediately, historically low interest rates, affordable home prices, ample housing supply and the first-time homebuyer tax credit have fueled the increase of single women homebuyers.

Statistically, women do more research...(as if you didn't know that) and spend a longer period of time searching for a home. They're also more inclined to make home repairs. I don't know what the numbers are but I feel confident that nearly half of all purchases made in Home Depot and Lowes are made by women and many women homeowners claimed to have completed a home improvement project by themselves probably in the last few years.

Some home characteristics that experts say appeal to women are 1. a safe community (single women account for a large number of condominium purchases where they find a sense of security), 2. a home office (home-based businesses are very popular among women), 3. maintenance friendly yards, 4. lots of storage, and 5. natural light, particularly in the master suite and bathroom. I have also found that women are also more likely to work with female mortgage brokers, attorneys and real estate professionals. So single men there you have it, if you want to get back in the lead...I think you'll be waiting for a while!