Women now majority of home-loan applicants in South Africa’s coastal provinces, ooba data shows

Source: Supplied. Careen Mckinon, head of sales at ooba Home Loans.

Data from ooba Home Loans, spanning 2015 to July 2026, shows female buyers now account for the majority of home-loan applications in the Western Cape, KwaZulu-Natal and Eastern Cape.

The trend points to a broader transformation in women’s participation in property, as more enter the market independently and at younger ages. But what is driving this growing appetite for coastal property, and what does it mean for the market?

“At the midway point of 2026, female homebuyers accounted for 61.5% of applications in the Eastern Cape, up 10.2 percentage points (ppt) since 2015, followed by the Western Cape at 58.6%, up 14.5 ppt and KwaZulu-Natal at 58.4%, up 10.2 ppts,” says Mckinon.

The trend forms part of a broader national shift with female homebuyers now accounting for 53.8% of home-loan applications in 2026, compared with 46.2% in 2015 – a 7.6 ppt increase.

“Interestingly, Mpumalanga recorded the strongest growth nationally, with female representation increasing by 15.4 ppt since 2015.”

Source: Supplied.

Why the coast?

While the data does not establish a single driver behind the shift, the concentration of growth across the coastal provinces raises broader questions about how women’s financial circumstances, lifestyle preferences and mobility are influencing property decisions.

“South Africa’s coastal regions have undeniable lifestyle appeal, but the data raises an interesting question about whether changing employment patterns, migration, affordability and evolving lifestyle preferences are influencing where women choose to buy,” she says.

The shift is particularly noteworthy given the pace at which property values have increased in several regional markets. “In the Eastern Cape (which includes the Garden Route), the average purchase price has increased by 76.5% since 2015, reaching R1.56m. By comparison, the average purchase price in Johannesburg increased by just 26.4% over the same period, to R1.51m.”

KwaZulu-Natal offers another compelling indication of women’s growing influence in the market, with female first-time buyers accounting for 57.7% of mortgage applications in the province in 2025. “Figures like these suggest that women are not simply becoming more visible in the property market, they are becoming increasingly influential,” says Mckinon.

The coastal trend forms part of a broader transformation in the profile of South Africa’s female homebuyer, with four developments standing out:

More women are purchasing independently. Women’s growing participation in the property market is closely linked to their increasing propensity to purchase independently.

The proportion of female applicants purchasing on their own has increased by 2.3 ppt over the past decade, with single women accounting for 92.7% of female home-loan applications in 2026. Moreover, 89% of female applications are for primary residences, compared with 85.8% among men.

“This is an encouraging indicator of financial independence and the role property continues to play in long-term wealth creation.”

Female homebuyers are younger, fixed salary earners The average age of female home-loan applicants has fallen by eight years since 2015 - from 48 to 40 - and now on par with the average age of male applicants.

“In an environment where affordability remains a significant consideration, the decline in the average age of female applicants is particularly encouraging. It suggests that more women are taking steps towards homeownership and building financial assets earlier in their lives,” notes Mckinon.

And while the share of self-employed female applicants has steadily increased over the past decade, men continue to outpace women. “According to ooba Home Loans’ data, 73% of all self-employed applicants buying property independently are male and only 27% are female. As a result, women remain significantly more likely to be salaried than men, at 92% versus 85%.”

Income is rising but the gender gap still exists The income profile of female applicants has also strengthened over the past decade. “In 2026, average gross monthly income among female home loan applicants stood at R79,000, compared with R123,000 among male applicants,” says Mckinon.

“Income growth among female applicants is an important part of this story. While the disparity between male and female earnings remains evident, the increase in women’s incomes is supporting greater participation in the property market.”

Tshwane saw average gross income among female applicants increase by 110% between 2015 and 2026, reaching R93,763, in comparison to male applicants whose income increased by 96% over the same period to reach R125,763.

While Western Cape female applicants at an average gross income of R103,342 (up by 64% since 2015) are the highest income earners nationally, male applicants earn significantly more in this particular region at an average of R159,620 per month. Conversely, the lowest income earners are female applicants in the Free State region where average gross earnings are R53,789 (63% up on 2015), compared to the average of R72,391 that male applicants earn in this region,” says Mckinon.

#WomensMonth | Property valuations are shifting — here’s how

Katja Hamilton 18 Aug 2026

Despite this income growth, affordability continues to shape purchasing decisions. “The average purchase price among female applicants has increased by 51.8% since 2015, reaching R1.56m in 2026,” she says. “While women are earning more and participating more actively in the property market, their average purchase price remains below the national average of R1.77m in Q2 ‘26 and R430,000 below that of male applicants.”

Property preferences continue to evolve.

“Sectional-title properties now account for 39.5% of female applications, up from 37.2% in 2015, while investment property has also gained ground – up by 5.8 percentage points to 9.6% in 2026.”

Mckinon adds: “Whether purchasing a primary residence, considering an investment or opting for sectional title, women are clearly finding different ways to participate in the property market within their financial circumstances.”

A positive shift that’s here to stay

Taken together, the data points to a meaningful structural shift in South Africa’s residential property market.

Women now account for the majority of ooba Home Loans applications, own more properties registered to single individuals than men and are increasingly entering the market independently - and at a younger age.

The particularly strong growth across the coastal provinces adds another dimension to this shift, raising important questions about the relationship between women, location, lifestyle and homeownership.

“The numbers tell a very positive story,” says Mckinon. “Women are increasingly making independent decisions about homeownership and building assets for their future. They are no longer simply participating in South Africa’s property market – they are helping to shape its future” she concludes.