Did you know that single women are the second largest group of homeowners (open in new tab) after married couples? When it comes to buying, single women far outnumber their male counterparts, and their numbers continue to grow. Over the past six months, House Beautiful and Marie Claire have interviewed dozens of single women buyers and surveyed hundreds more to learn more about how and why they bought. As expected, these women offered some great advice. Below we've compiled some of the most helpful tips.

This is, without a doubt, the most frequently received advice. Knowledge is power, and the more you know about what you can afford, the better prepared you are for the buying process. Says Brooklyn homeowner Marlene Burnett. But you just have to get started. Meet with a mortgage broker to figure out what to do." If your finances aren't in great shape, talk to a financial advisor. Homeowner Candace Walsh went from $17,000 in debt to homeownership in just three years.

On a related note, successful savings start with a strict regimen. Tanya Brown, a homeowner in Hoboken, NJ, started keeping a spreadsheet of her spending in detail and found areas where she could cut back. I started telling my friends, 'If I'm going to eat out, it has to be cheap,'" she laughs. And I said, 'This year I'm not going on vacation; I'm going to pay off my credit card,'" she laughs. In reality, I actually felt empowered by knowing where my money was going."

The moment you're ready to buy you think you'll reach out to a real estate agent' you might want to think again. Says Danielle Lurie, who heads Compass' all-female real estate agency, "Our favorite clients are the ones who come to us after two or three years." That way, the agent can work to find you options while you prepare.

One thing we've learned from talking to hundreds of buyers is that one size does not fit all when it comes to loans, mortgages, and assistance. Emily Palen, a homeowner in Pennsylvania, secured her mortgage from Veterans United because her stepfather is a veteran. In New Jersey, Beth Diana Smith found a program in her town that would cover thousands of dollars in closing costs. In the most extreme case, Nasozi Kakembo (open in new tab) scoured aid and loan programs until she found one that would cover all but $0.73 of her down payment. Says Carmelita Pickett, "I'm a solo homeowner in Texas, Virginia, and Georgia.

If you had one meeting with a mortgage broker and then decided to hold off and save, you might want to check again. "If you had x amount six months ago, you might not have been able to afford something, but with the new interest rates, you might be able to afford a little more there," advises Lindsay Proud, a member of Daniel Lurie's team. And with the new interest rates, you might be able to afford a little more there," advises Daniel Lurie team member Lindsay Proud.

The home-buying process involves many interactions with many people, and an unfortunate encounter with one of them can be a major problem. Many of the women we spoke with recommended that prospective buyers interview several potential real estate agents and look for second opinions of inspectors and contractors.

Another realization that nearly all buyers had was that you will always need a little more than you think. This means not only saving enough for a down payment, but also setting aside a few percent for various contingencies, from inspections to repairs to lesser-known expenses (one owner suggested an extra $10,000). New Hampshire homeowner Rebecca Sholand laughs, "I never thought about having to buy the fuel left in the tank at closing."

"Be prepared for all invoices related to housing to be due in a close time frame," adds one anonymous buyer. 'The biggest invoices are due within 3-5 days, which we hadn't planned for.' You need to be prepared for unexpected expenses, so having a contingency fund is a great idea."

For long-term expenses, keep track of the taxes on the home you are considering buying, as well as the costs to the Homeowners Association or Co-op board.

Just because you don't have to consider the needs of others doesn't mean you don't have to compromise on your purchase. Several homeowners recommend sitting down early and making a list of what they want in a home and identifying what is flexible and what is not. Some buyers have chosen to move from the city to the suburbs, while others have changed states altogether. One owner advises, "Always make a list of what you need before you start looking."

Try to get the maximum possible," which may not be a good idea, says one owner. 'Buy within your means. Buy as much as you can afford. You won't always have the perfect job, and you'll want a home that provides the stability you need without worrying about whether you can make the payments.'