This May marks Inman’s sixth annual Agent Appreciation Month. Look for profiles of top producers, opinions on the current state of the industry and tangible takeaways you can implement in your career today. Plus, the prestigious Future Leaders of Real Estate return this month, too.
This series highlights inspiring stories of women who have created successful and sustainable careers in real estate and/or invested in real estate to achieve financial independence, gain lifestyle flexibility, and create lives built on their own terms.
For centuries, women faced systemic barriers to wealth-building through real estate. Until the late 19th and early 20th centuries, married women in the U.S. had little to no property rights, as laws dictated that property ownership was reserved for men.
It wasn’t until the 1970s, with the passage of the Equal Credit Opportunity Act, that women could secure mortgages in their own names without needing a male co-signer. Today, women are seizing financial opportunities in real estate, both as investors and professionals, building legacies of financial independence and stability.
Starting out with no money and no credit
Amy Berry’s journey is a testament to the transformative power of real estate for women. Her story began at 18, when she bought her first home in Salt Lake City while still a freshman in college. With the support of her single mother — an executive at FedEx — Berry secured the house with no money or credit of her own.
Her mother covered the payments initially, but each year, Berry assumed more financial responsibility until she could fully manage it herself. This gradual introduction to homeownership not only provided her with independence but also set her on a path to financial literacy and success.
Six years later, the house’s value had nearly doubled, enabling Berry and her fiancé to buy a larger home. As she moved through different states and different homes over the next 25 years, she deepened her understanding of real estate as a powerful financial tool.
When her family faced financial strain in 2011, Berry turned to real estate again — this time as a career. A conversation with a fellow mother and real estate agent changed her trajectory, opening the door to a profession that offered both financial freedom and flexibility.
Building a career while learning along the way
While balancing a growing business and raising two children wasn’t always easy, Berry found a way to make it work. She built a successful career while staying present for her children, learning to set boundaries and refining her ability to navigate real estate transactions with skill and strategy.
The rewards were profound: Through real estate, she eliminated debt, funded family vacations and paid for her daughter’s college education without burdening her with student loans.
Her financial independence became even more critical when she faced a divorce after 26 years of marriage. Divorce has long been a complex financial challenge for women, despite gaining the legal right to initiate divorce in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. While laws evolved to grant women more autonomy, economic realities often placed them at a disadvantage.
Even today, statistics show that women’s household income falls by an average of 41 percent after divorce, nearly double the decline experienced by men, according to a report from the U.S. Government Accountability Office. Additionally, women are more likely than men to experience financial hardship post-divorce, with many struggling to maintain their previous standard of living.
At 50, she found herself navigating an uncertain future without financial security from a partner. But real estate gave her options. Despite her fears, she took a leap of faith, investing all her available savings into a new home. Within months, she recouped her investment, securing her financial footing once again.
Real estate offers financial security, generational wealth
Berry’s story reflects a broader trend: real estate offers women a path to financial security and generational wealth. Single women account for 19 percent of homebuyers, compared to 10 percent for single men, according to the National Association of Realtors.
Moreover, the real estate industry itself is female-dominated, with approximately 63 percent of Realtors being women. The ability to control their own income, invest in appreciating assets and build long-term financial stability makes real estate a uniquely empowering avenue for women.
Berry’s advice to women considering real estate investment? Start where you are. “If you think you’re too young, you’re not. If you think you’re too old, you’re not. If you think you can’t afford it, talk to a lender, invest with a friend, explore all the options, create a timeline and a plan — and do it!” Real estate is more than just buying and selling property — it’s about claiming ownership of your future.
In an industry where women are making incredible strides, there is also a growing spirit of collaboration and support. Berry notes that she sees more women coming together to share their experiences, uplift one another and redefine what success looks like. “When women support each other, we are unstoppable.”
Berry’s journey — from an 18-year-old homeowner to an award-winning real estate professional — exemplifies the opportunities real estate creates for women. Whether as an investor or as a career path, real estate offers women the ability to build wealth, gain independence and create choices for their future.
At a time when financial security is more important than ever, women are making bold moves, proving that ownership — both in property and in life — is truly an act of empowerment.
Melanie C. Klein, M.A., is an empowerment and mindset coach.
