Data reveals more women buying houses
'Many of these women view property as a means to financial security for themselves and their dependents.'
More women in South Africa are applying for home loans compared to previous years, marking a significant shift in the residential property market. BetterBond Home Loans' data indicates that over 43,000 women applied for home loans in 2024 and 2025, with more than half of these applications coming from first-time buyers. Mary Lindemann, Chief Operations Officer of BetterBond Home Loans, highlights the growing financial independence and purchasing power of women in the market.
Historically facing barriers, women are now becoming influential players in the housing sector due to improved access to finance and increased economic empowerment. The number of women applying for bonds as the main applicant increased by 18% from 2024 to 2025, with 3,550 new buyers in 2024 and a 10% rise in 2025. The introduction of a higher transfer duty threshold in April 2025 has made homeownership more affordable for many women.
Government subsidy schemes, such as the First Home Finance program, have also contributed to making property ownership more accessible for first-time women buyers in lower-to-middle income brackets. Women are increasingly viewing property as a means to build wealth and ensure financial security for themselves and their dependents.
While the upward trend is encouraging, structural barriers like the wage gap persist, but women's earnings have improved over time. Younger women, particularly those under 35, are increasingly buying homes independently. This growing influence of women in the property market is expected to continue shaping the landscape, with more women using property ownership as a foundation for long-term financial security and wealth creation.
Written by urgent.news from The Citizen's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
