What are single women buying like never before?
Hint: It’s all about building generational wealth
The Female Quotient
February 11, 2025
“Playing it safe doesn’t build legacies.”
WHAT’S ON DECK
Tell Me More: Single Women Are Buying Homes Faster Than Single Men
Troublemaker Spotlight: Janell Stephens, Founder and CEO, Camille Rose
Dear FQ: My Boss Found Out I’m Looking for a New Job…
Poll the Pack: What Do Employees Want Most? A Raise.
TELL ME MORE
Single women are buying homes faster than men, making up for years of financial discrimination
It’s a well-known fact that investing in real estate is one of the best ways to build generational wealth. And single women across the U.S. are taking notes and making down payments, buying homes much faster than single men. This trend highlights the growing financial independence and decision-making power of women reshaping the housing market.
In 2023, 19% of home purchases were made by single women, compared to 10% by single men.
Among all homes purchased by unmarried people, women own 58% of the market.
Delaware is the state with the largest percentage of single women homeowners at 15%.
19% of the entire residential real estate market is a big deal, considering the relatively short window of time we’ve had to make up for financial gender discrimination. Countless generations of American women grew up in a world where owning a home meant having the help of a man.
Up until 1974, it was perfectly legal for unmarried women to be denied a mortgage without the presence of a male co-signer. After the passage of the Equal Credit Opportunity Act, the tables turned, and women got to work, making up for lost time and wealth-building opportunities. And now, 51 years after the passage of the Equal Credit Opportunity Act, single women buying homes have eclipsed single men.
And while the earning power of women buying homes and investing in real estate is massive, female homeowners are still playing catch up when it comes to pricing. One study revealed that women pay an average of 2% more when they purchase a house, and might pay a mortgage rate that’s 0.04% higher than men, which can accumulate to tens of thousands of dollars over a typical 30-year fixed-rate term.
So while the number of women purchasing homes is encouraging, it’s clear there’s still work to do when it comes to pricing and negotiation discrimination. What’s the cause? Deep-rooted gender bias—similar to studies that have shown gender discrimination in the car-buying process—where women are reportedly quoted higher interest rates, despite using the exact same script as men.
The good news? 65% of all real estate agents are women, up 20% from the 1980s.
From start to finish, open house to final inspection, women are now deeply embedded in the real estate ecosystem and have the potential to positively change the housing market for their daughters, friends, and future generations of women building generational wealth.
TROUBLEMAKER SPOTLIGHT
Janell Stephens, Founder and CEO, Camille Rose
Entrepreneurship is in Janell Stephens' blood. As the daughter and granddaughter of entrepreneurs from Louisiana, Janell’s million-dollar idea was a (sort of) accident. A mom of five young kids with eczema, she couldn’t find a natural solution for her kids’ dry skin and hair, so she decided to produce it herself, in her kitchen. Less than three years later, Camille Rose was a multi-million dollar Black-owned company, with a devoted following of “Rosettes” and partnerships with major retailers like Target, Ulta, Walgreens, and more.
FQ: What’s the worst career advice you’ve gotten?
JS: The worst advice I’ve ever gotten was to “play it safe and stick to what you know.”
It’s so limiting. Starting Camille Rose was the result of stepping out of my comfort zone, experimenting, and trusting my instincts. Playing it safe doesn’t build legacies, and it definitely doesn’t change the course of industries.
What’s the best piece of non-obvious career advice you’ve gotten?
JS: Don’t be afraid to say no, even to the good opportunities.
Early in my career, I thought every door that opened had to be walked through. I’ve since learned that saying no to certain things creates space for the right ones to come along. Intentionality is key, especially when we want to bring moments of inclusivity to the forefront in the hair care and beauty industry.
What was a “heartbeat moment” for you in your career?
Seeing Camille Rose products on retail shelves will always be a memory I hold close to my heart. I started this company in my kitchen, mixing natural ingredients to help my children and their extreme eczema. To go from this hope of providing products that nourish their skin to national recognition and love from retailers and consumers alike was nothing short of overwhelming.
Imagine you just received the marketing version of an Emmy award. Who are the three people you’re thanking that aren’t at your current gig?
First, my husband, for being my biggest supporter from day one and holding down the fort when I was building something from scratch. Second, my children—they’re the reason Camille Rose exists in the first place. Their needs inspired me to create. And finally, my grandmother, who always encouraged me to believe in the power of natural remedies and the traditions passed down through generations.
Where have you caused trouble?
I’ve caused good trouble by unapologetically centering on Black beauty and natural hair in beauty. Camille Rose was built for us and by us, and I’ve refused to compromise that vision, even when it wasn’t “on trend.”
DEAR FQ
Your burning career questions answered
Jason Schulweis of The Female Quotient weighs in:
Looking for a new job is common and normal behavior, so let's start there. You have nothing to be ashamed of. Let's approach this from a place of strength—you are doing what's best for you, and your responsibility is to yourself.
My answer depends on:
Your relationship with your boss and company.
Your openness about your goals, ambitions, and career.
If you are looking to leave your current role/boss/company or looking for something new.
If you have a healthy relationship with your boss (and company), they may have already tried to work with you to either develop new skills or transition into a new role. Sometimes, those things aren't possible, and you outgrow each other.
For the purposes of (finally) answering the question, let's assume that the relationship with your boss is average—they didn’t know you were looking, and there is no severe driving force for your search.
Use the conversation with your boss as an opportunity to identify what's going on and why you might be looking to leave:
Do you feel underpaid and are looking at comps for similar roles?
Are you looking at different career paths or responsibilities than your current role and skillset?
Did you find your dream role elsewhere?
Or is it simply time to move on?
In these last two scenarios, take the opportunity to have a heart-to-heart with your boss about why. This is a chance to be direct (not accusatory) and share what you want.
By having this conversation, you may find that your boss cares and wants to help you succeed where you are. Or they may reveal their true colors. Unfortunately, there’s no perfect script for this, but approaching it strategically puts you in control. The goal? A transition that serves you—whether that’s staying, negotiating, or moving on with confidence.
P.S. Got a burning career question? Serve it up here to Dear FQ to score advice from a powerhouse leader in our network.
POLL THE PACK
Show them the money: Raises matter most to employees
Regular salary increases are one of the most powerful ways to show employees that they’re valued, respected, seen, and appreciated. When we prioritize fair, consistent pay practices, we’re not just closing the pay gap—we’re building trust, boosting morale, and retaining top talent.
Companies like Costco are making headlines for increasing their hourly wage to over $30 for most workers, with financial institutions like Bank of America following suit. How can you advocate for yourself and increase your chances of getting a raise?
Know the numbers: Find the average salary range for your job position, keeping in mind your location and level of experience.
Define your reasoning: Take the time to look back at all you’ve accomplished and contributed to the company and call out the numbers.
Be specific: Go in with a salary range in mind instead of waiting to see what your boss is willing to offer.
Practice! Taking the time to practice your pitch will make you feel more confident and in control.
Lastly, schedule a 1-on-1 meeting with your boss well in advance so you have time to plan. You got this.