Real Estate Investing for Women with Justine Chan | Ep. 35

• Justine Chan founded Live With Plum after noticing a lack of resources for female homebuyers despite women purchasing homes at twice the rate of men. Tiffany shares she bought her first home at 26; Justine bought hers at 25.

I always had this goal really of achieving financial stability in my life as early as possible, right? And knowing how to use real estate as a tool to get there.

• House hacking involves buying a property, living in part of it, and renting out the rest to generate income while enjoying homeowner benefits like lower mortgage rates and tax advantages.

Roommates are like, you know, it can be separate apartments. So if you really want the privacy in me, probably not a super urbanized area like New York City is totally achievable.

• Tiffany notes her mortgage payment was $100 less than her previous rent for a three-bedroom, two-bath house. Justine emphasizes that preparation—including building credit—is key to securing the best mortgage terms.

• Preparation should begin as soon as you receive your first paycheck. Strong credit unlocks more mortgage options and the lowest possible interest rates. Tiffany references the 2008 crisis to stress the danger of entering homeownership with poor credit.

If you go in with a strong credit score, you can lock in that best interest rate. And then therefore, you can save money in the long run.

• Lenders scrutinize bank statements closely. Large or unexplained deposits require documentation. Justine advises keeping thorough records early so you're not caught off guard when applying for a mortgage.

• Justine always planned to buy multiple properties. She bought small, affordable units (like a tiny studio) rather than stretching for a larger home, allowing her to move and convert each into a rental after two years.

• A HELOC lets you borrow against equity built in your current home. Rates are higher than primary mortgages but lower than unsecured loans. Justine notes the risk: defaulting could mean losing both properties, so it should only be used if rental income can cover payments.

• Recent research shows single women pay about 2% more when buying and sell for 2% less than single men. The gap is smallest between two women and largest between women and men. Justine urges women to negotiate aggressively.

I would always tell them to negotiate and to fight for what they believe in.

• Justine can be found at livewithplum.com and on Instagram @livewithplum. Both Tiffany and Justine emphasize that single women can and do successfully buy homes without waiting for a partner or second income.