How men and women buy homes differently

Why women are leading the South African property market

- PROPERTY WRITER

When it comes to buying property, men and women don't just have different priorities - they're transforming the housing market in fundamentally different ways.

Nowhere is this more evident than in South Africa, where women own nearly 60% of residential properties, either independently or jointly, according to Lightstone data.

They also outnumber men as first-time buyers, with most of these buyers being single or divorced.

“These numbers tell a powerful story about financial independence,” says Yael Geffen, CEO of Lew Geffen Sotheby's International Realty in South Africa.

“Women aren't just buying homes; they're securing their futures. With longer life expectancies and nearly half of marriages ending in divorce, property ownership has become a critical form of empowerment.”

Safety vs. investment: A gender divide in property priorities

Globally, safety tops women’s homebuying wish lists, with secure neighbourhoods, gated communities and smart security systems ranking as non-negotiables. But beyond security, women's priorities reveal a nuanced approach to homeownership that blends practicality with lifestyle aspirations.

According to multiple studies, women's top 10 homebuying criteria include: