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I bought a house while single about 14 years ago. My interest rate was 3.5%. If I tried to buy my house today (at the same price I paid), it would cost double due to interest rates. I’m ready to sell and buy something else but I can’t justify the rates right now.

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Same. 20 years ago. Was well worth it to buy something and feel empowered while my gfs were making babies and depending on their men. Now I’m in my 40s, new baby, great man, own a much better place because we both bought in our 20s and accrued wealth.

I bought my first house as a “SINK” it was a great call and ended up being the house we all lived in once I got married and brought my two kiddos home to!

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I was a SINK into my late 30s. I purchased my first home when I was 27. To buy that home I put maybe 3% down that I pulled out of my 401k as a loan (not advisable, but I was able to pay it back in very short order bc I received a home credit upon amending my taxes as the feds were dealing w the housing crisis at the time and I took advantage). I leveraged roommates to finance some major upgrades to the place. Sold it at 39 and walked away with over 100k to put down on my home now.
I purchased a second/vacation property when I was 36. I hemmed and hawed over this decision for a couple years, but when I finally pulled the trigger I was so happy w the decision.
For me, when the opportunities presented themselves I found myself determined to take advantage and find a way to work it out. I may have been a little house poor following the first purchase but with steady annual pay increases I became more and more comfortable, and found that it taught me to save and to understand the difference between needs and wants. I’m better today for that struggle.

All of these things happened when rates were really manageable (I had some dumb luck) so don’t beat yourself up about the rates today.

I will say there is nothing that has ever felt more empowering than owning real estate on my own.

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What a great story! Thanks for sharing :)

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Do your research on the area and the crime. Make sure you buy something in a county that has a lower crime rate and a mixed demographic. You can also tell the quality of the neighborhood by the quality of the schools. Good luck!

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You're right!

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I could have written this article. I always wanted to buy a home with a partner but that never materialized but i kept saving through the years. I randomly saw a house and put in an offer, i felt unprepared mentally byt financially ready. Bought a house at 40 for $320k at a 7.1% rate, i wanted to stay in the city and didnt want a place bigger than 2 beds . Lucked out on a town home. Its been a year, no regrets. Although be prepares to do everything on your own

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Sounds like a great decision, at the right time.

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Bought first home in 2009 with an FHA loan. At the time the government was offering great grants for first time home buyers and a 10k on your tax return. Kept it for 7 years and then used the equity to buy my second home. It's almost 3 times the size as my first home. Got it at a rate of 3.25%, mortgage is the same as my first home under 1200. The house has now trippled. Not the time to buy, interest rates are way too high.

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3% is SWEET! I wish!!

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I bought my first house in 2022. 3 bed, 2bath $500k. Unfortunately I was on the rising side of the interest rates but oh well. I wait for no man!

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Hahah. You could look into refinancing soon...

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I have been thinking since 2020.. My main concern is really safety.. I hear horror stories of home invasion n back out.. Condo’s in SoCal is not worth at the interest rate n prices.. guess depends on state n safety.. I would put safety above all

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Yeah SoCal is unbelievable. I would never be able to buy property in Cali period. Unless I make money double or triple times what I make now.

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I bought my condo two years ago. It was a goal of mine to buy a home before getting married so that it would stay my own separate property lol.

Honestly I think most people think home ownership is out of reach because they’re too picky. Buy a small, fixer upper condo, put some sweat equity into it and create a lovely home for yourself. You don’t have to start out with the place you’d want to raise your future kids.

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I agree. Many women in my circle overthink it and gobsmacked I did it on my own. And these are smart dynamic people too! It surprises me to see the limiting beliefs on this topic.

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Me! I purchased my home in May 2021 right as I turned 33. I got a 2.5 rate and put 3% down. My house is worth about 130K more than when I purchased it. I got really lucky with the appreciation of my home and the low interest rates. No regrets.

Yes there are moments of struggle being single homeowner but overall I feel that it’s been extremely worth it. I’m making improvements as I can, hosting family and friends, and enjoy having a cozy home for the holidays.

I don’t buy into the “wait for a partner” idea because I may never find that person and why should I miss out on investing in my own life and future just as I am right now.

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I bought a house as a single kid less woman about 3 years ago. I got “lucky” with the low interest rates during the pandemic and used first time home loan options to get a low to no down payment. Bought a home way less than I could afford. Since then my “family” has grown (partner moved in and my dogs keep duplicating!) so the house feels small. But I know I can fully afford it on my own even with inflation makes things way more expensive now.

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Good for you!!

Yes! I bought my first house 3 years ago at age 39. I was able to save a chunk of change during the pandemic and it was enough to put down about a 6% down payment on my house. I got a great interest rate and my house has already gone up quite a bit in value.

I really focused on making sure I could comfortably afford the monthly payment (mortgage, taxes and homeowners insurance) while still being able to save a bit each month. Lots of unexpected expenses with homeownership- so if your refrigerator suddenly breaks or there’s a problem with the roof you want to be able to have some money in savings to fix it without being completely financially stressed.

I had no idea how much I would love being a homeowner. I’m so incredibly proud I did this all on my own. I love living alone and making ALL the decisions for my house. My self esteem has gone WAY up and my perceived dependence on others has almost disappeared.

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Bought in 2022 in San Francisco right when the property values started dropping like mad before interest rates got too bad. I had saved up half the down payment (I wanted to put 20% down to qualify for lower jumbo mortgage interest rates) and the other half was a small inheritance. I also got ahead without taking out expensive grad school loans like my peers so I had the income but not the student loans. It’s about half my take home pay for the house, taxes, and insurance each month but I hardly do anything but work so it’s feasible. If I had kids, there is no way I could live so frugally. I bought it expecting I’ll rent it out when I’m older and consider it a retirement income stream. It’s a very renter friendly location and a rare 2BR with two garage spots. Never thought I’d make it work…

I was a SINK at 27. No regrets! It sent my now husband and kids to have a good financial future

I bought as a SINK woman in 2016; the right opportunity came up and I've always been good at saving, so it wasn't hard to do. I was surprised and annoyed at how many people not just assumed but insisted it must be true that someone was helping me if a guy wasn't buying with me.

I bought my home as a SINK in 2013. I was lucky because the market was still depressed from the foreclosure crisis and my home value has doubled since then.

I'd say the worst part is dealing with contractors. I was young and single and so afraid I'd be taken advantage of so I put off a "don't f with me" energy. Like if a contractor didn't do the work they said they would I had no qualms calling them out on it.

I once had a contractor say "tell your dad or boyfriend to xyz" and I wanted to mess with him so I said "actually it's just me and my wife and I typically take care of the home maintenance. Tell me what to do!"

This thread is inspiring ! 🙌🏽

I’ve decided every woman should buy property on their own before getting married if they can.

I bought my home in 2020 at 27 when the rates were the lowest. I was lucky to be able to save a lot when we were on lockdown and bought with only 3% down (First time homebuyer program with a grant for 2%) and I only paid 1% for my townhome in the Northern Virginia area. I paid $310k and have about 90k in equity now simply because of the market.

My mortgage is reasonable and I make a $400 profit monthly from renting it out which allows me to rent a larger place without breaking the bank.

I will buy again as a SINK within the next few years if I don’t get married.

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