According to the National Association of Realtors 2024 homebuyer data, single women accounted for about 20% of all homebuyers, more than double the share of single men (8%). Additionally, among first-time buyers, nearly one-third were single women, another sign that women have no problem entering the housing market on their own.  

Beyond homebuyer share, broader ownership data shows that single women now own more homes than single men, a trend that highlights their growing economic independence and resilience in a challenging market. 

What about in Cuyahoga County, though? While there isn’t a specific county-level homebuyer share published as frequently as national reports, Ohio data reflects similar patterns: single women in Ohio own a larger share of homes compared to single men (13.7% versus 11.3%, respectively), mirroring the national pattern. It also suggests that women in Northeast Ohio are also an important and growing segment of homeowners and homebuyers. 

In our regional communities, organizations are actively working to support women and other residents in becoming homeowners, recognizing that homeownership builds generational wealth, stability and community strength. 

One powerful example of local action is the Make It Home Cleveland program, a collaborative effort among Cuyahoga Land Bank, Enterprise Community Partners, Cleveland Housing Partners, the Rocket Community Fund, the City of Cleveland and other partners.  

Make It Home Cleveland helps eligible residents living in tax-forfeited properties to purchase and repair their homes before those homes are sold on the private market. It provides: 

• One-on-one homebuyer guidance 

• Home repair support 

• Legal assistance and counseling 

• Pathways to sustainable ownership 

All of this is done in a way that supports economic mobility and long-term stability for buyers who might otherwise be at risk of displacement. 

Beyond purchase-assistance, local organizations are helping women prepare for long-term success as homeowners. For example, the Home Repair Resource Center (HRRC) in Cleveland Heights offers hands-on DIY home repair classes, including workshops on carpentry, plumbing, electrical work and general home maintenance — many of which are structured specifically for women who want to build confidence and skills before or after buying a home.  

HRRC’s classes for women teach practical skills like tool use, electrical repairs and basic carpentry, which empowers participants to care for their homes independently. These workshops reduce intimidation around home projects and help prospective buyers feel ready for the responsibilities that come after closing.  

In addition to classes, HRRC provides: 

• Homeowner education workshops on mortgages, credit, budgeting, repairs and maintenance that can prepare buyers before purchasing;  

• A tool library where members can borrow tools to complete repairs themselves.  

Local real estate professionals also offer targeted support for women entering the housing market. Groups like the Women’s Council of REALTORS® Northeast Ohio (part of the national network focused on advancing women in real estate) host networking, training and education events throughout the Akron and Cleveland areas. While events aren’t exclusively homebuyer assistance programs, they often include sessions, workshops or community programs that provide helpful information on topics like down-payment assistance, financing options and navigating the purchase process.  

These gatherings create opportunities for women to learn from experienced agents, lenders and housing professionals in environments that center their questions and concerns, whether someone is exploring homeownership for the first time or looking to build confidence in the market. 

Women have been among the early success stories in recent Cuyahoga Land Bank efforts — particularly in the revitalizing Circle East District near University Circle: 

• Tabitha, a foster mom of two, returned to work with the Land Bank after a positive experience buying her first home through the organization. This time, she found a newly renovated home in Circle East that gave her the space her family needed. 

• Crystal Lynn Bryant-Agyemang, an attorney with KeyBank, became one of the first new homeowners in Circle East. Her purchase reflects a broader confidence in the neighborhood’s future.  

Together, community resources like Make It Home Cleveland, HRRC repair classes and REALTOR®-led women’s education events are creating multiple pathways toward confident, supported homeownership for women across Cuyahoga County. 

The increasing share of female homebuyers (particularly single women) signals both a shift in economic empowerment and an opportunity for targeted support from community programs. When organizations like Cuyahoga Land Bank and Enterprise Community Partners create intentional pathways to ownership, they help ensure that women’s rising role in the housing market translates into lasting wealth and stable communities. 

The post The Rise of the Female Homebuyer: How Women Are Shaping the Housing Market  appeared first on Cuyahoga Land Bank.

Happy National Homebuyers Month, the time to celebrate all the fresh beginnings, new opportunities and the value of homeownership to families, neighborhoods and cities across America.  

Here at the Cuyahoga Land Bank, we work to make our Northeast Ohio communities vibrant, prosperous and sustainable by creating homeownership opportunities. Through our various programs, we renovate and rebuild homes where vacant or abandoned houses once sat. We also foster creative reuse of properties for greenspace, gardening, stormwater management and other ecological purposes, all of which contribute to revitalized neighborhoods.  

Additionally, last year we also created our own brokerage firm, Realty Reimagined. This innovative full-service team is changing how real estate services are provided by giving back to communities through its mission of “transforming lives one person, one home and one neighborhood at a time.” Their work is community-focused, unlike any other realty group.      

National Homebuyers Month started in 2002 to reinforce the belief that owning a home is a step toward achieving the American dream. Pairing the philanthropic missions of the Land Bank and Realty Reimagined with that of National Homebuyers Month, we have crafted a great line-up of relevant activities throughout the month to celebrate!  

June 8: Realty Reimagined is hosting a Homebuyer Education Course from 10a-4p at the East Cleveland Public Library’s Lower Auditorium. This free course will provide information about credit and money management; the loan process; shopping for a home; understanding insurance and inspections; and maintaining a home. Register here.

June 24: Join us at the iconic Mickey’s building at 12550 Euclid Avenue in East Cleveland and the launchpad of Circle East District for a Home Buying Resource Fair & Pre-Approval Clinic! Not only will multiple lenders be on hand to help you get prequalified and compare mortgage products, it will also be a full-out celebration of homeownership where you can access resources and tips from an array of housing professionals including agents, housing counselors, title companies, home inspectors and more. Register here.

June issue of Cleveland Magazine: Be sure to pick up a copy of this month’s Cleveland Magazine as Circle East District is a featured up-and-coming neighborhoods!  

June 27: We are officially celebrating the completion of Mickey’s – the first updated and ready-for-business commercial building renovations in East Cleveland in decades. Not only does this create a hub of activity in the neighborhood, it also marks the opportunity for hundreds of thousands of dollars of tax income for the city!  

Follow us on social for continual updates about Circle East District.

The post National Homebuyers’ Month: Celebrating the American Dream appeared first on Cuyahoga Land Bank.

In fact, without the right team invested in your home buying success, the process can be confusing and frustrating. To help keep your process smooth and happy, Realty Reimagined has crafted a series of educational courses and events to connect buyers to the necessary purchasing tools. Here is a look at Realty Reimagined tools and offerings.

Pre-Approval Clinics

A Pre-Approval Clinic is a unique event providing a wide range of resources and expertise in one convenient location. Whether you’re a first-time buyer or a seasoned homeowner, you will receive personalized guidance tailored to your specific needs and circumstances that will help you navigate the homebuying process with confidence Ð all under one roof.

Realty Reimagined offers free, informative pre-approval clinics monthly; and  the next clinic will be held May 20 from 4 Ð 7 p.m. Our preferred lender partners – Citizens, First Federal of Lakewood, Huntington, US Bank, First National Bank, KeyBank, and Third Federal – will be on hand to prequalify future homeowners. Professionals including title companies, home inspectors, Realty Reimagined agents and housing counselors will also be available to answer all your home buying questions.

Rather than spending hours researching and contacting various professionals individually, the Pre-Approval Clinic brings everything you need together in one place. It’s a time-efficient way to gather information, ask questions, and build your all-star home buying team of experts who can help you achieve homeownership goals.

Register for a pre-approval clinic here.

Home Buyers Education Course
This four-part Homebuyers Education Course helps participants understand the basics of homebuying, including how to assess readiness, shop for a home, obtain a mortgage loan, develop a budget, improve credit and more. The free HUD-approved classes are conveniently offered virtually with live instructors and exposes buyers to many down payment assistance programs. The next course begins April 8.

Register here to secure your spot.

Post-Purchase Education Course

Homeownership is an ongoing journey of discovering, learning and improving the place you now call home. In this course, you will learn about budgeting; understand tax, assessments, insurance and warranties; find ways to create a more sustainable home; and obtain maintenance skills. Further, you’ll learn the value of and how to become an involved member of your neighborhood.  

Sign up in advance here.

Stay tuned for more resources Realty Reimagined offers, including a full line up of National Homebuyer Month events in June, including classes at our partner library in East Cleveland and a Mobile Banking Block Party.

The post Helping Communities by Helping Homebuyers appeared first on Cuyahoga Land Bank.