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Women Now Make Up Majority of Young Property Investors, Absa HSI Finds

25 August 2026

Absa’s latest Homeowners Sentiment Index (HSI) shows that more women are building property portfolios in South Africa, with the strongest growth coming from younger buyers.

Among investors who own three or more properties, women accounted for 48,1% in the second quarter of 2026, up from 46,7% in the same period two years ago. Women also now make up the majority of property investors aged between 25 and 34 at 51,8%.

These figures point to a broader change in female representation in the property market, with women gaining ground beyond homeownership and into property investment. The fact that younger women now make up the majority of investors in their age group suggests this could become an even more significant feature of the market over time.

“What we have seen is that consumers and investors are well aware of the ongoing economic and political shifts around them, and they are cognisant that these changes will influence their buying power and the financial commitments of homeownership. Property ownership and investment are still desired goals, but the decision to enter the market is being viewed more carefully and strategically,”
said Nondumiso Ncapai, Managing Executive: Home Loans Absa Group.

Overall, consumer confidence in South Africa’s property market decreased slightly by one percentage point to 87% in the second quarter of 2026. The softer reading comes as uncertainty around interest rates, the economy and the political environment weighs more heavily on decisions to buy, invest in and renovate property.

Confidence declined across all of the HSI subindices over the quarter, with buying sentiment falling by 7 percentage points, renovating by 6 points, investing by 5 points, renting by 4 points and selling by 3 points. The decline in buying sentiment was the most significant, marking the largest quarterly drop since Q4 2022. Respondents pointed to the high cost of living, concerns about the economy, elevated interest rates and high property prices as the main factors holding back confidence.

“Affordability is the single biggest constraint on property ownership. Respondents repeatedly link the difficulty of buying and keeping property to high costs relative to income. Many cannot afford deposits, bonds and rising ongoing costs such as rates, levies, utilities and maintenance. This is leading some to delay or abandon buying, downscale or sell, even though they still see property as desirable,”
said Ncapai.

The HSI also found that the broader economic environment is weighing on property decisions, with consumers concerned that economic instability could keep interest rates high or push them higher. Respondents linked bond repayments, possible rate increases and strict lending criteria to greater financial stress and a higher perceived risk of entering or staying in the market. Crime and area safety were also cited as major considerations. Respondents associated high crime levels with lower property values, difficulty selling and higher security costs, with many favouring secure estates or better-policed areas when considering where to buy.

“Many South Africans still see property as a safe long-term investment with the potential to appreciate in value and build wealth. But that value is now being judged more carefully against factors such as location, demand, political confidence, service delivery and expectations for the future,”
said Ncapai.

The Absa HSI is a leading indicator of the overall state of consumer confidence in South Africa’s property market. Launched in 2015, the Index’s overall consumer confidence insight is supported by sub-indices that measure consumer confidence around buying, selling, and investing in property.

To view the full report, visit our Homeowner Sentiment Index site.

25 August 2026

Absa’s latest Homeowners Sentiment Index (HSI) shows that more women are building property portfolios in South Africa, with the strongest growth coming from younger buyers.

Among investors who own three or more properties, women accounted for 48,1% in the second quarter of 2026, up from 46,7% in the same period two years ago. Women also now make up the majority of property investors aged between 25 and 34 at 51,8%.

These figures point to a broader change in female representation in the property market, with women gaining ground beyond homeownership and into property investment. The fact that younger women now make up the majority of investors in their age group suggests this could become an even more significant feature of the market over time.

“What we have seen is that consumers and investors are well aware of the ongoing economic and political shifts around them, and they are cognisant that these changes will influence their buying power and the financial commitments of homeownership. Property ownership and investment are still desired goals, but the decision to enter the market is being viewed more carefully and strategically,”
said Nondumiso Ncapai, Managing Executive: Home Loans Absa Group.

Overall, consumer confidence in South Africa’s property market decreased slightly by one percentage point to 87% in the second quarter of 2026. The softer reading comes as uncertainty around interest rates, the economy and the political environment weighs more heavily on decisions to buy, invest in and renovate property.

Confidence declined across all of the HSI subindices over the quarter, with buying sentiment falling by 7 percentage points, renovating by 6 points, investing by 5 points, renting by 4 points and selling by 3 points. The decline in buying sentiment was the most significant, marking the largest quarterly drop since Q4 2022. Respondents pointed to the high cost of living, concerns about the economy, elevated interest rates and high property prices as the main factors holding back confidence.

“Affordability is the single biggest constraint on property ownership. Respondents repeatedly link the difficulty of buying and keeping property to high costs relative to income. Many cannot afford deposits, bonds and rising ongoing costs such as rates, levies, utilities and maintenance. This is leading some to delay or abandon buying, downscale or sell, even though they still see property as desirable,”
said Ncapai.

The HSI also found that the broader economic environment is weighing on property decisions, with consumers concerned that economic instability could keep interest rates high or push them higher. Respondents linked bond repayments, possible rate increases and strict lending criteria to greater financial stress and a higher perceived risk of entering or staying in the market. Crime and area safety were also cited as major considerations. Respondents associated high crime levels with lower property values, difficulty selling and higher security costs, with many favouring secure estates or better-policed areas when considering where to buy.

“Many South Africans still see property as a safe long-term investment with the potential to appreciate in value and build wealth. But that value is now being judged more carefully against factors such as location, demand, political confidence, service delivery and expectations for the future,”
said Ncapai.

The Absa HSI is a leading indicator of the overall state of consumer confidence in South Africa’s property market. Launched in 2015, the Index’s overall consumer confidence insight is supported by sub-indices that measure consumer confidence around buying, selling, and investing in property.

To view the full report, visit our Homeowner Sentiment Index site.