New research has highlighted the disparity between property investor genders with only 27 per cent of women indicating they own investment property.

The 2022 PIPA Annual Investor Sentiment Survey asked survey respondents for their gender for the first time in its eight-year history which produced the telling statistic. 

The co-authors of the 2022 Australian personal finance and investment business book of the year, The Female Investor: Creating Wealth, Security & Freedom Through Property, Nicola McDougall and Kate Hill, said lower rates of female property investment was another financial headwind women faced.

“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,” Adviseable Property Buyer Ms Hill said.

“The fact that women only represent a smidge 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 McDougall, who is the chair of PIPA, said many women may have been nervous about purchasing a property, either as a home or an investment, in years gone by, but there is plenty of expert advice and guidance available these days to assist them.

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

“There is no denying the fact that women will likely always be the parent who takes time out of the workforce when they have children because of simple biology.

“However, more and more research and lived experiences are proving that the financial outcomes for women are generally going to be poorer than men – and especially for those who separate or divorce.”

Ms Hill said ample opportunities currently exist for many women to buy a home or investment property to shore up their financial futures.

“Market conditions are highly supportive at present given softer property prices and lower buyer demand,” she said.

“Prospective property owners are also in the box seat from a lending perspective at the moment, too.

“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 the difference that one or even two properties can make to a women’s financial independence throughout their lives should not be under-estimated.

“I purchased three properties as a single woman and have retained financial independence from my husband, while also building property wealth together,” she said.

“This means that if our relationship ever comes to its conclusion in the future, 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.”