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Women, Wealth and Real Estate is a special Women’s History Month series that highlights the diverse stories of women who created wealth for themselves and their communities through real estate and power moves.
For generations, women have fought for financial independence, carving out spaces to build wealth and stability on their own terms. Real estate has proven to be one of the most powerful tools in this pursuit, allowing women to take control of their futures, create lasting financial security, build intergenerational wealth, and fulfill goals and dreams that have been out of reach for previous generations of women.
Women’s ability to own property and access financial resources has not always been guaranteed. For much of history, legal and social barriers prevented women from owning land, inheriting wealth or securing credit in their own names. The Married Women’s Property Acts, passed in the mid-to-late 19th century in the U.S., were among the first legislative steps that allowed married women to hold property independently. Yet, it wasn’t until the Equal Credit Opportunity Act of 1974 that women could obtain mortgages, credit cards, or business loans without a male co-signer.
Despite this progress, disparities remain. Women are now a powerful force in real estate ownership — single women own more homes than single men, making up about 17 percent of homebuyers compared to 9 percent of single men. However, women of color face significant challenges, with Black and Latina women experiencing significantly lower homeownership rates due to systemic barriers such as income inequality, lending discrimination, and generational wealth gaps.
As part of Women’s History Month, this feature series highlights the stories of women who have harnessed the power of real estate to transform their lives – and inspire others to think bigger, be bolder and inspire them to invest in themselves and build their financial future and independence.
Anna Uliassi, an agent with EXP Brokerage in Austin, is one such woman. Her journey — from a young teacher purchasing her first condo to a successful real estate investor — offers an inspiring roadmap for women looking to secure their financial futures.
Taking control of the future: Uliassi’s story
In her mid-20s, Uliassi was a single public school teacher living in Chicago. She dreamed of owning a condo by the lake where she could step outside, run and thoroughly enjoy the single life.
Despite her modest salary and limited financial experience, she prioritized homeownership, purchasing the most affordable condo in a decent building. This was during an era of no-money-down, stated-income loans — financing options that may not have been available to her otherwise. The condo had flaws — no air conditioning, no dishwasher — but it was hers and the first step into building a portfolio and expanding her opportunities far into the future.
Uliassi lived there for two years before meeting her now ex-husband. Life moved quickly after that — they relocated across the country and purchased other homes together — but one thing remained constant: She never let go of that first condo in Chicago.
The power of ownership: Laying the foundation for wealth
Many people might have sold that condo when their circumstances changed, but Uliassi held onto it, uncertain of what the future might bring. For 15 years, tenants covered the mortgage, slowly turning her first significant investment into a financial asset.
When Uliassi found herself newly divorced at 44, she realized the power of the decision she had made years earlier. Selling that small condo gave her seed money, but more importantly, it gave her a renewed sense of control over her financial future.
“I wasn’t going just to squirrel away that money,” she says. “I wanted it to work for me.”
Real estate: A path to financial independence for women
Uliassi’s story is a testament to why real estate is a potent wealth-building tool for women as an investment opportunity and a career choice. Women continue to be overrepresented in lower-paying fields such as education, healthcare and social services — industries where wages have stagnated compared to the cost of living. Traditional careers, even in professional fields, often come with income ceilings and lack the financial flexibility needed to build long-term wealth.
By contrast, real estate — both as an investment and as a career — offers women the opportunity to:
- Earn more income through commissions, rentals or property appreciation.
- Achieve financial flexibility by diversifying income streams.
- Create generational wealth through property ownership.
- Be their own boss, which is particularly valuable for women juggling caregiving responsibilities.
Even within real estate careers, women have made significant strides. In the U.S., women comprise 65 percent of all Realtors, and many leverage their industry knowledge to invest in properties. Yet, with many areas of progress, like in ownership, disparities persist — women in commercial real estate continue to earn significantly less than their male counterparts, and women of color face additional hurdles in gaining access to capital and high-value investment opportunities.
Turning real estate into a wealth-building strategy
With the proceeds from the condo, Uliassi made her next big move — purchasing a small rental property in Austin, Texas, that needed work. She rented it out, then remodeled and sold it for a profit. That single transaction gave her the confidence to continue investing. Over the years, she repeated the process, sometimes flipping properties, other times keeping them as rentals or Airbnbs.
Through it all, she remained independent, making bold choices and taking risks. As a single mother with a son in his first year of college, she found immense pride in the fact that she had built this wealth on her own and was able to pay her son’s college tuition with the wealth she had created through ownership and sales.
“In the world of real estate investors, my story is small,” Uliassi admits. “But you don’t need hundreds of properties or million-dollar flips to achieve financial success. You just need to start.”
Advice for young women: Planning for your future
Uliassi’s story underscores an essential lesson for women of all ages: put yourself first.
“You never know how life is going to turn out,” she says. “If I had waited for “the right time” or the perfect conditions, I never would have started.”
Her advice to young women?
- Take the leap. If real estate ownership is within reach, go for it. Even a small, imperfect property can become a stepping stone.
- Think long-term. Even if you don’t see the immediate benefits, real estate is a slow-building wealth strategy that pays off over time.
- Be independent. Whether you’re single or in a relationship, make financial decisions that secure your future.
Achieving financial freedom: Living the dream
Now, at 51, Uliassi is reaping the rewards of her hard work. She fulfilled her dream of owning a home in Colorado, just south of Breckenridge. She operates one of the most successful Airbnbs in the area, and her primary home — complete with a guest house — generates enough rental income to cover all her living expenses.
That one small decision in her 20s — to buy a condo when she didn’t know what the future would hold — ultimately gave her financial security, freedom and the ability to live life on her own terms.
Taking that 1st step
Uliassi’s story is proof that real estate is more than just property ownership — it’s a vehicle for financial freedom. For women looking to secure their futures, it’s an opportunity to build wealth, create stability and design a life of independence.
While barriers remain — particularly for women of color — every woman who steps into real estate ownership or a real estate career is helping to close the financial gap.
Whether it’s buying a first home, investing in rental properties or making a career in real estate, the key is to start. Because, as Uliassi’s journey shows, one bold decision can shape an entire future.
Melanie C. Klein, M.A., is a sought-after empowerment and mindset coach working with individuals and teams across the country to align and integrate their personal and professional spheres for increased success and abundance without compromising their joy.
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