Best Friends Buy House Together After Divorces

Sarai Saez Rogers and her best friend Claire find stability, support, and happiness by purchasing a home together.

Published on Feb. 15, 2026

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After both going through divorces, Sarai Saez Rogers and her best friend of over 10 years, Claire, decided to take the leap and buy a house together in upstate New York. The two women had been there for each other through difficult times, and decided that living together as single mothers would provide the support and community they were missing. Despite some initial skepticism, Sarai and Claire have found their unconventional living situation to be incredibly fulfilling, allowing them to thrive rather than just survive.

Why it matters

Sarai and Claire's story challenges traditional notions of what an ideal living situation should look like, particularly for single parents. Their decision to prioritize their deep friendship over conventional romantic relationships highlights the importance of platonic bonds and the benefits of creating your own support system, especially when family is not nearby.

The details

Sarai and Claire first met while their husbands were stationed together in the military in New Mexico. After both getting divorced, the two women stayed in close contact, dreaming of one day buying a house together. In 2024, they decided to take the plunge, pooling their resources to purchase a late-18th-century duplex in upstate New York. The home has two bedrooms upstairs and three downstairs, with a bathroom and kitchen on each floor - the perfect setup for their blended family. While they do have romantic partners, Sarai and Claire have decided that their living situation will remain focused on their friendship, with the possibility of accommodating partners in separate living spaces if needed.

  • Sarai and Claire met over 10 years ago while their husbands were stationed together in the military in New Mexico.
  • After both getting divorced, Sarai and Claire stayed in close contact for 6 months when one of their husbands was deployed.
  • In the summer of 2024, Sarai and Claire visited each other in New York and decided to look at houses, ultimately purchasing their duplex.
  • Sarai and Claire have been living together in their new home since 2024.

The players

Sarai Saez Rogers

A 36-year-old single mother who co-owns a home with her best friend Claire after both going through divorces.

Claire

Sarai's best friend of over 10 years, who also co-owns a home with Sarai after her own divorce.

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What they’re saying

“Why would I not move in with her? Why would I not build a life alongside her? With her, with my friend, I feel like I'm not just surviving, but thriving.”

— Sarai Saez Rogers (Business Insider)

“We trusted, respected, and liked each other. We'd both say that for the first time in a long time, we knew what it was to feel safe with another person, to be loved for who we were, rather than for who someone wanted us to be.”

— Sarai Saez Rogers (Business Insider)

What’s next

Sarai and Claire plan to continue living together in their duplex, exploring ways to accommodate their romantic partners while maintaining the core of their friendship-based living arrangement.

The takeaway

Sarai and Claire's story shows that close friendships can provide the same level of support, stability, and fulfillment as traditional romantic relationships, especially for single parents navigating life's challenges. Their unconventional living situation challenges societal norms and highlights the value of creating your own family through meaningful connections.