Despite the number of women homebuyers remaining relatively stable, the fourth quarter saw an 8.7% increase of single women purchasing homes compared to the same time last year. Single women homebuyers make up 15%, just under the 18% share of single men buyers, according to the Guardian. The other share of homebuyers are couples, who made up 49% of buyers this year. The Guardian notes it’s a slightly unexpected trend due to the pandemic disproportionately impacting female workers. Industries with high representation of women, such as education and hospitality, were hit hard with shutdowns.
The pandemic has also pushed young working mothers out of the workforce, more so than young working fathers dealing with the same childcare issues, as women took on more household responsibilities during the pandemic.
But overall, the pandemic’s economic impacts have been kinder, and even beneficial, to wealthier Americans regardless of gender. With record-low mortgage rates, more savings from less traveling or eating out and a desire for more space to work from home, buying a home during the pandemic made sense for many Americans, including higher-income women.
PB Topical Ref
