New Skipton research shows nearly a third of women buying alone feel overwhelmed — and the broker conversation is the one that can change that
The emotional cost of buying a home alone is higher than many in the industry appreciate. New research from Skipton Building Society shows 70% of first-time buyers found the purchase process frustrating. For women navigating it without a partner, the burden is sharper still.
Nearly a third of solo female buyers said they feel overwhelmed during the process, according to Skipton. More than half (53%) worry about financial strain if their income were to change unexpectedly. Uncertainty about completion dates and the risk of a purchase falling through each caused stress for 22% of buyers surveyed.
For brokers, that signals a client group that needs structured, empathetic guidance.
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What does the rise in solo female buyers mean for brokers?
The data reflects a market that is shifting. Skipton processed 11.5% more mortgage applications from solo female buyers than from solo male buyers in 2024. Solo female applications continued to outpace male ones by nearly 7% so far in 2025. Yet the journey to ownership for this client group remains significantly harder.
Jen Lloyd, head of mortgage products and proposition at Skipton Building Society, said the barriers are too often underestimated. “Our research shows while 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,” Lloyd said.
“The risks and pressures of buying can feel amplified in today’s market, but that shouldn’t prevent people from pursuing this path.”
Three ways to give solo female clients better support
Skipton’s research points to three practical areas where brokers can reduce client anxiety:
Help clients build a complete cost picture before they begin viewing
Solo buyers are often blindsided not by the deposit but by costs that arrive all at once. Legal fees, removal charges, survey costs, rent overlap, and set-up expenses can collectively overwhelm a tight budget.
Skipton’s Delayed Start mortgage defers initial repayments, which may offer breathing space for clients with tight cash flow after moving.
Slow the process down where possible
Many solo buyers feel compelled to progress every element all at once, which drives up spending and stress.
Brokers who help clients prioritise what needs to happen now versus what can wait are delivering a tangible service beyond product sourcing. Guidance on the specific barriers solo buyers face reinforces why a sequenced approach benefits clients financially and emotionally.
Set clear expectations around timeline from the outset
Completion date uncertainty was the most cited source of anxiety in Skipton’s research. For solo buyers carrying the full weight of the decision, vague timelines create disproportionate stress. Proactive updates, even when nothing has moved, build the kind of trust that generates referrals.
A growing segment of solo female buyers that rewards specialism
Solo female buyers now represent a meaningful share of the mortgage market. Building real expertise here — understanding the specific barriers and structuring advice accordingly — is a genuine competitive advantage. Research on mortgage stress and the value of early broker conversations shows how early, transparent communication directly improves outcomes for this client group.
Lloyd was clear about the role of professional support: “Leaning on support networks such as friends and family, alongside regular contact with a professional, can help ease the pressures, particularly if you are buying alone. When things are beyond your control, it’s natural to feel frustrated, but focusing on what you can influence can help you feel more grounded.”
Understanding what solo female buyers carry — financially and emotionally — and shaping advice around it is more than client care. It is building a practice that stands out in a segment the data says is growing.
