Quarter of property investors are female, PIPA survey finds

Anationwide survey of property investors has found women make up just over a quarter of the numbers – a cause for concern showing gender imbalances continuing to play out.

The gender gap was revealed after an annual sentiment survey conducted by Property Investment Professionals of Australia (PIPA) which asked about gender for the first time ever.

PIPA chair Nicola McDougall said the lower rate of female property investment was one of many financial challenges women faced.

She said owning one or two properties should not be underestimated as it made a difference to a woman’s financial independence.

“I purchased three properties as a single woman and retained financial independence from my husband,” she said.

“This means that if our relationship ends, we can move on with our lives relatively seamlessly given we have financial independence from each other and are therefore unlikely to ever wind up in Family Court for months or even years on end.”

Kate Hill, who co-authored best selling book The Female Investor: Creating Wealth, Security and Freedom Through Property with Ms McDougall, agreed.

“The fact that women only represent a smidgen over a quarter of all property investors is another factor that shows women are just not on the same financial footing as men in this country,” Ms Hill said.

“Throughout their working lives, women have to navigate the gender pay gap, much lower superannuation balances, and poorer financial outcomes post-divorce – all of which will mean they will have inferior financial outcomes throughout their lives and in retirement.”

She said there were many opportunities for women to secure financial futures by buying a home or investment property.

“Market conditions are highly supportive at present given softer property prices and lower buyer demand. Prospective property owners are also in the box seat from a lending perspective at the moment, too,” she said.

“The next six months will deliver ideal market conditions for any woman who wants to improve their financial situation via strategic property ownership.”

Ms McDougall said there was plenty of guidance and advice available to women now.

“Society has changed significantly since the days when women stayed at home to look after their children while their husbands were the main breadwinners.”

The survey of 1288 Australians was conducted by PIPA in August 2022.