Female Investment Property Investors

By: Robert Thomson

Despite rising interest rates, women remain avid property investors. In fact when it comes to happiness with their method of investment, women with property out-rate their male counterparts.

In a recent survey of property owners by a large bank, women were more upbeat about their choice of housing investment than men, with one in six aiming to build their portfolio with as many properties as possible.

The majority (55%) of women interviewed own one investment property, while 41% own between two and five properties. The remainder own over six properties with a small, but noteworthy, proportion of 1% owning a staggering 11 or more investment properties.

According to Property Choice national manager corporate affairs, James O'Rourke, women are increasingly making a large impact on the investment property market. He says: "You only have to visit a handful of auctions to realise how many women are confidently investing in real estate, often solo."

Property has long been a favourite among Australian investors though the survey identified different points of appeal between the genders. Apparently, women are more likely to opt for bricks and mortar in a bid to set themselves up for the future.

Men, on the other hand, are more likely to buy property for the tax deductions, provided by negative gearing. This could be a possible reflection of wage differences between men and women.

Jenny Browne, author of a recently published book about property investment says: "Women have always been comfortable with the look-touch' aspects of property investing."

She adds: "With the high number of divorcees and singles, women are often conscious of the need for security, and real estate plays to that need on a psychological level."

A raft of mortgage hikes may have left home owners worried, but it doesn't seem to be discouraging female property investors who are adopting a range of measures to cope with higher interest charges.

According to Mortgage Choice, over one third of female investors manage their own rental properties versus 33% of men, saving on professional property management fees which can be around 7% of gross income.

And despite a well publicised rental squeeze, female landlords are likely to be more sympathetic with tenants. Only 24% of women have raised the rent on their investment property, compared to 39% of men.

Gender shouldn't be a factor when it comes to finance. Paul MacMahon, a Mortgage Specialist with CBA, says: `Mortgage service companies don't discriminate between male and female. It comes down to security, your ability to repay and your track record."

He said that men appear to have a clearer idea of the sort of finance they want. He advises: "Do plenty of investigation, be prepared to take advice, and if you are still unsure, speak to someone you know and trust."

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The article is brought to you by Kevin Young, CEO of the Investors Club. The Investor's Club help people build wealth through sound property investment with a long-term outlook.

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