Think a woman can’t buy a home on her own? Think again.
Zipporah Potter Atkins made history in 1670 as the first Black woman to buy property in the city of Boston. Her story reminds us that women can be homeowners regardless of their marital status.
In honor of Women’s History Month, here are five ways women can follow in her footsteps.
Know where you stand. Credit is key to buying a home. Review your credit report by going to annualcreditreport.com. Once you know how lenders perceive your credit, you can take steps to improve it.
Seek out a partner. Having an expert to guide you through the process can make all the difference. Reach out to a HomeFree-USA Homeownership Advisor to get started.
Use financial education to your advantage. Take a first-time homebuyer class to learn what to expect during the homebuying process. You may also qualify for free money that can be used toward a downpayment or closing costs.
Build a money-saving budget. How much do you spend each day on living expenses? Create a spreadsheet with your expenses so you know where every penny goes each month. Then come up with a few ways to cut back. For example, instead of paying for three streaming services, cut back to your favorite two.
Put your tax refund to work for you. In 2024, the average refund was $3,138. You can use your refund as part of your downpayment or maybe pay down or pay off a debt.
A home can be the foundation of your legacy — a place to host events and create lifelong traditions and memories with loved ones. Every woman deserves her piece of the American Dream.
