Single women in their 20s who work in an urban setting are earning 105% of what their male counterparts are earning, according to James Chung, president of Reach Advisors. In some markets their paychecks are 120% of the men as the shift in sexes begins to play out for Generation Y. 

Chung, who recently spoke to members of the National Association of Home Builders, advised those in real estate that the demographics between men and woman have changed significantly and must be marketed to accordingly.

Chung says besides a rising income level compared to their male equivalents, women are also better educated. In 1972, men were 1.5 times more likely to earn a college degree than women; today it is the exact opposite.

He believes multifamily builders will see more young women looking for property, especially on the higher end. And since these women are taking longer to get married and have children, this is "dramatically shifting the demand and need for housing, reshaping rental housing demand as they go through the cycle."

Overall, Gen Yers in the prime renting age bracket of 22 to 30 will grow 17% from 2000 until 2020, says Chung, at which point they will peak at more than 40 million, topping the previous high for a generation in 1985 set by the boomers. There are approximately 76 million baby boomers in the United States compared with 88 million people representing Generation Y, those born between 1981 and 1999.