Advertisement 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%.
Advertisement 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. Advertisement 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. Jessica Chestler, left, and her business partner, Ben Jacobs. Courtesy of Jessica Chestler New York is one of the most expensive places in the .