Women building wealth, one property at a time

• More women are buying homes independently, with first-time buyers driving strong growth in South Africa's residential market.
• Property ownership is becoming a cornerstone of financial independence, wealth creation and long-term security for women.
• Secure sectional title homes and improved access to finance are reshaping how women invest in property.

Women building wealth through property ownership‍

As South Africa celebrates Women's Month and prepares for Women's Day on Monday, one of the country's most encouraging economic success stories is unfolding in the residential property market.

More women than ever are taking control of their financial futures by investing in property. Whether purchasing their first home, securing accommodation for extended family or building long-term wealth, women are becoming an increasingly influential force in the housing market.

Latest data from BetterBond Home Loans highlights this remarkable shift, revealing that more than 43,000 women applied for home loans during 2024 and 2025, with over half of these applicants being first-time buyers entering the property market.

‍

"As more women assert their financial independence and flex their purchasing power, we are seeing strong activity from this segment of the market," says Mary Lindemann, Chief Operations Officer at BetterBond Home Loans.

‍

The figures reflect broader societal changes, including greater financial independence, improved access to home finance and women taking a leading role in household financial decision-making.

Building wealth through property

For many South African women, property ownership has evolved far beyond simply owning a home. It has become a strategic investment that offers stability, long-term wealth creation and financial security for future generations.

According to Statistics South Africa, women now head more than 42% of all households in the country, making property ownership an increasingly important tool for securing family wealth.

BetterBond's figures show that the number of women applying for home loans as the main applicant increased by 18% between 2024 and 2025, while first-time women buyers also continued to grow, rising by 10% over the same period.

Women purchasing property independently spend an average of R1.3 million, while those buying jointly with a spouse spend around R1.9 million, illustrating growing purchasing power across different market segments.

The trend mirrors global developments. Morgan Stanley's Rise of the Sheconomy report predicts that women will control an increasing share of global wealth over the coming decades as income levels rise and wealth transfers accelerate.

Lindemann says many women are also buying homes to accommodate multigenerational families, reinforcing property's role as both a financial asset and a source of family security.

Recent policy changes have further improved affordability. The increase in the transfer duty exemption threshold from R1.1 million to R1.21 million has reduced upfront buying costs for many first-time purchasers, while government initiatives such as First Home Finance (formerly FLISP) continue to help qualifying buyers access home ownership.

Challenges remain

Despite this positive momentum, significant structural challenges continue to limit women's ability to accumulate wealth through property.

South Africa's gender wage gap remains substantial, with research suggesting women still earn between 25% and 33% less than men on average.

However, there are encouraging signs of progress. Statistics South Africa reports that the income of women-headed households increased by 33.6% between 2006 and 2023, while average income for male-headed households declined by 1.5% over the same period.

Women are also proving to be disciplined borrowers. BetterBond notes that female applicants generally maintain stronger credit profiles than men, improving their chances of securing home loan approval. Bond applications involving women increased from 20,566 in 2024 to 23,345 in 2025, reflecting growing confidence among both borrowers and lenders.

The appeal of sectional title living

Women's buying preferences are also reshaping the residential property market.

Lindemann says many female buyers prioritise homes that offer security, convenience and lower maintenance, making sectional title developments particularly attractive.

Lock-up-and-go lifestyles, professional security and reduced maintenance responsibilities make these properties well suited to busy professionals, single homeowners and young families.

The investment case has also strengthened. According to FNB, sectional title properties recorded stronger equity value growth than freestanding homes during July, the first time this has happened since before the pandemic.

This improving performance not only enhances affordability but also provides women with stronger long-term capital growth opportunities in one of the market's most accessible sectors.

More young women buying on their own

Perhaps the most significant trend is the growing number of younger women choosing to buy property independently.

BetterBond says women under the age of 35 are increasingly purchasing homes on their own, reflecting changing social norms and greater financial confidence.

‍

"Women are getting married later, if at all, and many are delaying starting a family. They are not waiting for a ring or spouse to buy property," says Lindemann.

‍

Statistics South Africa supports this trend, reporting that the median age of women entering civil marriages increased from 31 years in 2014 to 34 years in 2023.

Rather than postponing home ownership, many young women are choosing to build equity early, recognising property as one of the most effective long-term wealth-building assets available.

Women’s month celebration

This Women's Month, South Africa has good reason to celebrate the growing economic influence of women in the residential property market.

From first-time buyers to seasoned investors, women are increasingly using property ownership to build wealth, create financial independence and provide long-term security for themselves and their families.

While challenges such as income inequality persist, improving access to finance, stronger credit profiles and supportive housing policies are opening more doors than ever before.

As lending conditions remain favourable and confidence returns to the housing market, one thing is becoming increasingly clear: women are not only changing who owns property in South Africa, they are helping shape the future of property ownership itself.

‍