More women are preparing to step onto the property ladder alone than with a partner, according to new research from Skipton Building Society.
The findings reveal that 37% of aspiring female first-time buyers plan to buy solo, compared to 35% intending to purchase with a partner.
The trend is reflected in Skipton’s mortgage application data. In 2024, the Society saw 11.5% more applications from solo female buyers than solo male buyers.
This pattern has continued into 2025, with female solo applications outpacing male applications by nearly 7%.
Independence is the leading driver, with 50% of solo buyers citing it as their top reason for going it alone.
Other motivations include control over living arrangements (41%) and a belief in homeownership as a long-term investment (36%).
However, many women face notable challenges, including saving for a deposit on a single income (38%) and managing legal and survey costs alone (37%).
Skipton’s Track Record Mortgage is one option designed to help. By allowing renters to borrow without a deposit and assessing affordability based on rental payment history, it offers a pathway to homeownership for those with sound financial habits but limited savings.
Rates were recently reduced, with the standard product now available at 5.09%, and a cashback version offered at 5.24%.
Jen Lloyd, head of mortgage products and proposition at Skipton Building Society, said: “Our research shows while solo buyers are incredibly motivated, they face a disproportionate number of barriers, from saving for a deposit on one income to shouldering all the upfront costs alone.
“The challenges are significant and too often overlooked. The risks and pressures of buying alone can feel amplified, but that shouldn’t prevent people from pursuing this path. It’s clear there’s demand for more flexible, accessible products tailored to today’s buyers.
“As a building society founded on fairness, we believe in designing solutions that reflect how people actually live.
“That’s why we created our Track Record Mortgage, to help renters who are financially ready but locked out by traditional deposit requirements.
“We also need to do more to raise awareness of existing support, so solo buyers feel seen, supported, and confident in their homeownership journey.”
Skipton’s research also found that 89% of women buying solo believe it’s important to achieve this milestone independently.
Yet 82% recognise the risks involved, with 53% concerned about income changes and 46% worried about facing repair costs without a second income.
Aneisha Beveridge, head of research at Hamptons, part of the Skipton Group, added: “The rise in solo homeownership reflects broader societal shifts.
“As higher education, stable employment, and family formation are happening later in life, more people are choosing to buy on their own – and it’s vital the housing market adapts accordingly.”
