Single women are owning it. Literally.

No partner, no problem. Women may make on average 80% of what men do, but single women (especially millennials) are the fastest-growing group of homeowners in the US. On average, single women own 22% of homes. Single men? Less than 13%.* 

But the hard part starts after the “For Sale” sign comes down. We surveyed single millennial women across the US to see how they’re tackling home ownership on their own — from learning to patch drywall to knowing when and who to call for backup.

*Lending Tree, 2019

T H E  R E A L I T I E S  O F

They’ve saved and scouted, but the real work starts after move-in day when the drywall cracks, the faucet leaks, and the TV needs mounting. Here’s how these homeowners handle the challenges of homeownership.

What’s the primary reason for your home projects?

From gutter cleaning to caulking windows, routine maintenance tasks take up the bulk of our homeowners’ to-do lists.  

It’s no surprise: female homeowners wear many hard hats.

DIY-ing isn’t always as easy as Pinterest makes it seem. Sometimes it’s easier to call for backup.  

What home tasks do you most dislike doing yourself?

1.  Mounting

2.  Cleaning

3.  Plumbing

What tasks are you most interested in learning?

1.  Painting

2.  Furniture assembly

3.  Minor electrical work

There are some things you enjoy doing and some you enjoy having done.

BUILDING A

The pipes are frozen and the paint is chipped. Who do you go to when there’s no landlord or partner to call for help? How do you know you can trust them with — and in — your home?  

Family and friends are still the first people our homeowners go to with questions, but Google and handy(wo)men aren’t far behind as resources.

However, respondents are almost three times more likely to rely on a third party than their friends for home help.

"If I'm not comfortable doing it myself, I look for recommendations from friends and family to ensure I have a reliable person working on our home. I also look at reviews on Google to avoid any nightmare situations."

Maggie H., age 27

Chicago, IL

What’s the first source you consult for recommendations? 

What’s most important to you in choosing someone to help?

TASKER

Need inspiration to tackle a project around your home? Meet the handy women of TaskRabbit.

"My first ‘fix’ was in 3rd grade when my mom's sewing machine broke. She told me not to touch it…10 minutes later, it was fixed.”

"I got the handy bug from my mother. As a single parent, she made sure to teach me a lot about tools and how to use them..."

“When I was a kid my family owned an antique shop. My mother always let me be creative and do whatever I wanted with the old furniture."

"DIY-ing many of my own home projects has allowed me a space in which I could make mistakes and discover what works and what doesn’t.”

We asked Taskers what they’d tell women tackling homeownership on their own. 

all the directions.

Susan H.

in a stepladder.

Amanda W.

that handyman tasks are considered more ‘masculine.’ Most are more about brains than brawn. 

Brandy M.

to do most things, but also don’t be afraid to admit when it's over your head.

Samantha B.

a few screwdrivers, a stud finder, level, hammer, rubber mallet, and a measuring tape.

LaToya C.

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