The era of the solo female homeowner is on the rise. No longer are they waiting for Prince Charming and marriage before entering the property market, prioritising instead their financial independence.
Bradd Bendall, National Head of Sales at BetterBond Home Loans, says the numbers point to a clear shift in buying behaviour.
- Nearly 40 000 women applied for home loans through BetterBond during 2024 and 2025.
- Around 27 000 were the primary bond applicants.
- The number of first-time female buyers has doubled since 2023.
- 8 090 single, divorced, or widowed women applied as the main applicant during 2024, which increased to 9 710 during 2025.
- Most solo female buyers are aged 30 to 45.
- Women buying alone spend an average of R1.3 million on a home and apply for bonds averaging R1.1 million.
- Women purchasing jointly with a spouse spend around R1.9 million on average.
- According to Statistics South Africa, women now head more than 42% of South African households.
This reflects a broad societal change, which dismantles patriarchal traditions and cultural expectations that a woman should wait for a husband to own a home. If they can protect and control their financial future and wellbeing before marriage, an asset like a home means they are investing in a stable foundation for their future family.
Protection
To ensure their future, solo female homeowners should ensure they protect their property before marriage. Bendall says this means securing clear legal title, ensuring independent financial control, and putting in place the right marital contracts before or during a relationship.
“A marital contract plays a critical role in what happens to the property after divorce or death. Marriage in community of property means that assets and debts before and during marriage are shared equally. In marriage out of community of property, with accrual, each spouse keeps their own estate, but on divorce or death, anything accrued during the marriage is shared. Marriage out of community of property excluding accrual means that each spouse’s estate remains entirely separate.”
Further steps that Bendall recommends include ensuring the title deed of the home is in her name, or, if jointly, that this is clearly documented. “At the same time, women should also build their own financial profile independent of their partner or spouse and have a valid will that states who inherits the property.”
For those in a customary marriage, registered at Home Affairs, there should be a written agreement or court order that sets out how the property will be held and divided.
“Women should also keep a trail of all correspondence and financial transactions. This includes the deposit paid, bond payments, rates, and any improvements made to the home. This is important should there be any disputes in the future.”
The priorities
When buying on a single income, women often look beyond granite countertops and designer finishes. Practicality, convenience, and security rank much higher on the priority list.
Bendall says that women tend to favour properties or developments that offer secure living. “Sectional title properties require less maintenance than a freestanding home and offer lock-up-and-go convenience. Those who can afford to do so also seek homes in estates with controlled access and an array of amenities.”
Location is also important, says Bendall. “Many women prioritise homes close to transport hubs, shopping amenities, and educational opportunities.”
Tips
Debatably one of the strongest pieces of advice from Bendall is the manner in which women should approach a solo property purchase. “Separate your identity from the property investment,” he says.
“Instead of striving to buy an expensive property to prove that you have attained a personal milestone, or because you have an emotional connection to the home, focus on buying a well-located, high-yield property that will be a good investment over time without adding unnecessary financial pressure.” This applies especially to women who buy-to-rent, where a smaller, more affordable investment property in a high-yield rental area can provide an additional income stream.
Other tips are:
- Buy like an investor, not a trender: Using fashion as an analogy, Bendall says: “Choose ‘timeless cuts’ over ‘trends’ – look for homes in established suburbs with resilient housing markets. Speak to estate agents and people living in the area before buying.”
- Visit before committing: Even if finding what may appear to be the perfect property, it is a good idea to rent first in the area before buying, recommends Bendall. “You should visit the property at different times of the day and week to get a sense of what it would be like to live there. Is the traffic very heavy during peak commute times, for example?”
- Shop like a professional and negotiate: “Review recent comparable sales, inspection reports, and needed repairs to justify lower offers. Work with a reliable agent who can negotiate on your behalf. Also, seek bond pre-approval before you even start looking at homes so you know exactly what you can afford.”
Get the bank on your side upfront
“Pre-approval will boost your chances of securing a bond and signal to the seller that you are a serious buyer,” explains Bendall. “This will also help with negotiations, ensuring that the outcome is in your favour. And many of the larger banks also offer a range of loan products that include home loans for as much as 110% for young professionals who meet certain criteria. This would make it possible to buy a home without first having to wait to save for a deposit.”
Stress test your budget
“Banks may approve you for more than is comfortable on one income. Aim for home loan repayments and all housing costs to fall well under a third of your net income. This means that any additional income from a partner or husband could be used to pay extra into the bond or to make upgrades to the home.”
Buy under R1.21-million
Properties valued under R1.21-million are exempt from transfer duty costs. “This means a significant saving when it comes to calculating the cost of buying a property. Investing in a property in a new development where transfer duties are not applicable is also a good option for women buyers,” says Bendal.
Avail of government subsidies
Property intelligence data shows that more solo women than men rely on subsidised housing, which is why Bendall recommends women consider government housing programmes that make it possible to own a home.
Whether marriage comes later or not at all, women who buy property on their own today mean they are ready to enter their future with an asset that is already working for them. Now that’s empowerment at its best!
