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Calling All Ladies Thinking About Buying

Young professional single woman are making up more than they have at any other time in history.

And that means, they are making up more of the home purchasing public than they have at any other time in history. According to a recent National Association of Realtors survey single women accounted for 22 percent of the total market from July 2005 through June 2006. Which is up 14 percent over a similar survey in 1995.

The Yahoo article, basically attributes this one of the basic "differences" between the sexes: women mature faster than men. After graduating from college, Toby wasn't ready for home ownership -- he spent five years working the bar scene and living in "bachelor pads" that smelled like fungas. Okay, so Toby was the "rule" but I'm sure there are exceptions out there somewhere.

But, really this trend is just cathing up with today's norms. We are seeing more people put off marriage, so wouldn't it make sense that we'd have more single people purchasing homes? Of course, but it has to be a "nurting" thing. From the Yahoo story:

"Forty percent of all births are to single women," he notes. "Those are not teenage births; teenage births have been dropping like a stone. These are adult women looking for Mr. Right who haven't been able to find him. There's no social stigma whatsoever in being a single mom, and she's got the money."

Is he serious? Unfortunately, I think he is. Why can't you just want to buy a house because it is a solid financial decision?

Posted by Toby Boyce, MBA, Delaware Ohio on 01/08/2007 07:39 PM

Comments (6)

buyers, female

6 Comments on Calling All Ladies Thinking About Buying

Oh, I do SO want to comment on the "finding Mr Right" but alas, I'll be quiet. ;-)

Seriously, though, I'm so glad that my granddaughters live in a world where homeownership for females is achievable without a second thought. I remember when I couldn't "own" anything without my husband's signature. I tried to explain to my 21-yr old granddaughter what life was like "back then" for women. Glad that era is over.

01/10/2007 05:02 PM

by Elaine Reese, REALTOR® in central Ohio (Real Living HER, Worthington Ohio)

Amazingly, this just happened to my grandmother a few years ago.

She went to buy a car and the dealer wanted "Mr. Peters" to sign the papers. I was there with my mom and both of just about slapped the guy silly. She got one hell of a discount though -- amazing what a law-suit threat will do for you :-)

Amazingly, Grandma wasn't nearly as phased -- just "reminded her of the old days" as scary as that is.

01/10/2007 07:18 PM

by Toby Boyce, MBA, Delaware Ohio (Keller Williams The Realty Firm)

Now, buying a car is a different story. Some of those guys are still Neanderthals. I've tried to give the local Delaware Jeep dealer my business, but I always get ignored. When I was ready to buy a new Cherokee, I had to approach a group of them standing around chatting. I think the guy who drew the short straw actually had to talk to me. But he acted as though I was taking time away from a "real" buyer. (the showroom was empty). So I left, went to Crown in Dublin and wasn't 8 ft into the door until someone came to assist me. Drove my new Cherokee home, and always take it back there for service. They're great!

01/10/2007 09:41 PM

by Elaine Reese, REALTOR® in central Ohio (Real Living HER, Worthington Ohio)

Ahh, I've had a similar experience with that dealership ... I wanted to look for a basic truck -- and they acted like I was wasting their time, unless I was willing to move-up to the high-end model.

01/10/2007 09:47 PM

by Toby Boyce, MBA, Delaware Ohio (Keller Williams The Realty Firm)

While that wasn't good for you, at least I guess, we can't blame them for just discriminating against women, can we? They're just bad salespeople. An agent in the office bought a car from them that seemed to be a lemon. Transmission went out after 6 months on a brand new car. He has similar horror stories.

Ah, well back to women buying houses. I've had quite a few single women buyers and I love them. A little nervous at first, but tough cookies overall that watch their pennies well. And they're so excited at closing. I remember that feeling when I bought my first home, and it's fun to share that experience with them.

01/11/2007 12:13 PM

by Elaine Reese, REALTOR® in central Ohio (Real Living HER, Worthington Ohio)

Wasn't too bad for me. I went to a Chevy dealership in Tiffin -- and got a deal they couldn't have beaten if they wanted to :-)

01/13/2007 11:01 AM

by Toby Boyce, MBA, Delaware Ohio (Keller Williams The Realty Firm)