- Jessica Chestler, 33, wanted to buy a home and was financially able to do so without a spouse.
- In 2022, she bought a three-bedroom home in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, for $3.25 million, entirely on her own.
- Chestler said that making all the decisions for her home herself is a double-edged sword.
This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Jessica Chestler, a 33-year-old real-estate agent with Douglas Elliman, who purchased a home without a cosigner or spouse.
New data from the National Association of Realtors shows that from July 2023 to June 2024, single female buyers made up 20% of all homebuyers, significantly outnumbering single male buyers, who accounted for just 8%.
The interview has been edited for length and clarity.
During my 20s, my love life wasn't a priority. I was focused on building a foundation for my future.
I've been in the real-estate industry since I was 21 years old. It's been a 24/7 job, and I've worked incredibly hard to get where I am today.
I co-own a business with my partner, and we manage a real-estate team that operates between New York and Florida, though I primarily work out of New York.
While we handle transactions across various price points, our team specializes in high-end luxury properties, and we sell anywhere from $150 million to $300 million a year.
New York is one of the most expensive places in the country to buy a home.
People want to live here for many reasons, especially for the lifestyle it offers. It's one of the few places in the world where you can catch a Broadway show, sit at Michelin-star restaurants, or visit a local bodega — all while connecting with people from every background at any time of day.
Affording homeownership here has become increasingly difficult.
I've always recognized New York's value, so early on, I set a goal to buy a home here as soon as possible. I'm fortunate to have made that happen on my own.
I was in the financial position to buy on my own
In 2022, as a single woman, I purchased a three-bedroom condo in Williamsburg for $3.25 million with a 30% down payment. My home has 1,700 square feet of interior space and an additional 1,000 square feet of exterior space.
I saw the purchase as an opportunity to secure a valuable property at a price below its true market value.
Back then, interest rates were very low, and the real-estate market was booming — a very different world. I got a 10-year mortgage at a 2% interest rate, with a monthly payment of about $4,000.
Although I've always worked on commission and never had a traditional salary, I felt comfortable buying at that price. I knew my monthly costs, and I understood my financial situation.
The building I live in is by the waterfront and has a doorman, a variety of amenities, and relatively low monthly maintenance fees.
Most importantly, it has a tax abatement for another 15 years, so I pay just $9 in taxes each month. For most apartments of my size, the taxes are usually much higher — like a four-figure number.
I wanted to live in a place that could accommodate my future family and also serve as a solid investment. I'm confident that if I ever decide to rent or sell my condo, it will offer a strong return.
The value of Williamsburg has gone up exponentially in recent years.
It used to be more of an industrial neighborhood, but it has since been gentrified — for better or worse. Still, home prices in the area are slightly lower than in other parts of Brooklyn and Manhattan.
People like living in Williamsburg because there's a lot of opportunity. It's a bit calmer than Manhattan; you're close to the airports, and there are amazing parks, restaurants, and shops. It also is a large community with a strong neighborhood feel.
Buying a home without a spouse has pros and cons
I worked with a designer from London to completely gut and renovate my condo.
I don't want to share exactly how much I spent, but I worked with an Architectural Digest-level designer and architect, and it took about 18 months to finish.
Not a single thing from the original apartment remains. I updated both the indoor and outdoor spaces and added new floors throughout the home. I also added new bathrooms, updated closets, installed radiant heat, and replaced the AC unit's coverings.
I'm very happy with the results. I designed it with the vision of having a family in the future while also building it out to be my dream home.
I do receive a lot of offers from people who want to buy it in the mail, but unless someone is willing to pay an astronomical price, there's no reason for me to move. Like I said, I bought it with the intention of living here with my future family.
I had the freedom to renovate my home however I wanted
One of the benefits of buying and renovating a home alone was that I only had to consider myself.
I didn't have to worry about anyone else's opinion. I loved the apartment, knew my numbers, and was confident I could make it work — that comfort was really important to me.
When you're buying a home with someone else, there's obviously a lot more to consider, especially if you're not married.
There's always that uncertainty: What if the person you're buying with doesn't like it or wants a different lifestyle? What if they want to live in a different neighborhood? What happens if you break up — how do you divide the assets?
There's a certain trepidation — whether you're a woman or a man — when you're single and unsure about your future, which can make people hesitant to buy a home.
Since they're uncertain how their life might change, many singles choose to rent.
The harder parts of homeownership
The biggest drawback of owning a home alone is that I'm responsible for every decision and everything that could go wrong. As someone who works 24/7, this can be difficult to handle at times.
Looking back on my renovation and now knowing how intense a complete gut job can be, it would have been nice to share the experience with someone I was excited to live with.
I truly love my home; I've built my own equity here, and it's a space I look forward to sharing with someone else someday.
The old script of what is expected of women is very different now.
Like me, many other single women are choosing to buy homes independently, and it's an incredibly empowering achievement.
For those considering buying a home, I think it's important to talk to a real-estate agent to understand the process and ensure it's the right decision for you.
At the very least, it will clarify whether it's a good fit. At best, you'll have a place to call your own.